Longitudinal DXA measurements demonstrate lifetime differences in lean and fat tissue deposition between boars and barrows under individual and group-penned systems

Abstract

Thirty-two Large White × Landrace male pigs were used to determine the relationships between the rates of tissue deposition and age, in boars and barrows under 2 housing systems. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used, with the respective treatments being sex (boar or barrow) and housing condition (individually penned system or group-penned system). Surgical castration was performed at 7 days of age. Individually housed pigs were used to provide an estimate of potential growth and were weaned at 10 days into individual cages and provided with supplemental fermented skim milk for 2 weeks. Group-housed pigs were weaned at 24 days of age and reared in group pens of boars and castrates typical for co..