Effects of a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide on growth and carcass traits of pigs

• Published in: The Journal of agricultural science 1999-05, Vol.132 (3), p.347-350
• Main Authors: SHIH, I.-L., TSAI, H., JIANG, W.-J., HUANG, Y.-T., KOH, T.-J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal productions; ANIMALS; backfat; Biological and medical sciences; body weight; carcass composition; fecundity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; growth regulators; leanness; length; metenkephalin; peptides; porcine growth hormone; swine; Terrestrial animal productions; thickness; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 0021-8596; 1469-5146
• DOI: 10.1017/S0021859699006437

The current study was to determine the effects of growth hormone-releasing peptide ([His1, Lys6]-GHRP) on growth performance and carcass traits in pigs, and to determine whether the results were comparable to those of recombinant porcine growth hormone (r-PGH) treatment. Thirty Landrace and Yorkshire pigs (40–45 kg) were randomly divided into three groups, each group consisted of two boars, five gilts and three barrows. Peptides were administered daily by intramuscular injection with the following schemes and dosages: Group A ([His1, Lys6]-GHRP, 200 μg/day in 0·5 ml saline), Group B (r-PGH, 3 mg/day in 0·6 ml saline), and Group C (sterilized physiological saline, 0·5 ml/day). [His1, Lys6]-GHRP caused significant improvements both in pig growth and carcass traits. The average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency of the [His1, Lys6]-GHRP treated group were higher than those of the control, but less than with the r-PGH treatment. The net increase in the ADG by [His1, Lys6]-GHRP was c. 14%, and was 23% by r-PGH (both P