Effect of creatine monohydrate on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality

• Published in: Animal feed science and technology 2002-04, Vol.96 (3), p.135-145
• Main Authors: James, B.W., Goodband, R.D., Unruh, J.A., Tokach, M.D., Nelssen, J.L., Dritz, S.S., O’Quinn, P.R., Andrews, B.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carcass characteristics; Creatine monohydrate; Meat quality; Pigs
• ISSN: 0377-8401; 1873-2216
• DOI: 10.1016/S0377-8401(01)00346-7

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality were evaluated from 320 pigs (PIC C22×L326) fed either a control diet (6.5 g lysine kg −1) or diets containing added creatine monohydrate (CMH). Pigs (initially 53.5 kg) were sorted by weight, gender and ancestry in a randomized complete block design and allotted to one of four dietary treatments with eight replicates. Pigs were fed a sorghum–soybean meal diet until 30 days pre-slaughter (87.2 kg), when dietary treatments were initiated. Experimental treatments consisted of: (1) a control diet; (2) control diet with 3 g CMH per pig per day for 30 days (maintenance); (3) 25 g CMH per pig per day for 5 days followed by 3 g CMH per pig per day for the next 25 days (early load); (4) or 25 g CMH per pig per day for 5 days before slaughter (late load). Average market weight was 112.4 kg. Feeding CMH did not affect average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), or feed efficiency (F/G). Average backfat, 10th rib fat depth, longissimus muscle area and percentage lean also were not affected by feeding CMH. Visual color and marbling scores were not affected at 24 h or 14 days postmortem; however, the mean firmness score of longissimus from all pigs fed CMH was greater ( P