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Cysteamine (CS), a metabolite in animals, is proposed as a novel feed additive in animal production due to the growth promoting effects and its capacity to increase carcass lean percentage in pigs. It works as a specific inhibitor of somatostatin (SS) to affect the endocrine system and increase growth hormone (GH) secretion, which leads to muscle growth promotion and decreased fat deposition. The CS source used in this study was microencapsulated with a fat coating that protects it from oxidation and enables CS to be released slowly in the intestinal tract, which prolongs its effectiveness. However, there is limited information on the use of coated cysteamine (CSS) in finishing pig diets. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of CCS on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. For that purpose, a total of 160 pigs with an initial BW of 62.12 ± 1.43 kg were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 4 pens per group and 10 pigs (5 gilts and 5 barrows) per pen. Pigs were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg CCS for 40 days. At the end of the experiment, eight pigs from each treatment were selected to obtain serum samples. Adipose tissue samples, the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland were collected from the same pigs after slaughter.
Results showed that the CCS treatment did not affect ADG, ADFI and F:G. However, CCS increased carcass lean ratio and longissimus muscle area, and had beneficial effects on 24 h drip loss. The activity of hormone-sensitive lipase in subcutaneous adipose tissue was increased, while fatty acid synthase activity was decreased. Pigs fed CCS had a lower serum triacylglycerol level, lipase activity, total cholesterol level and a higher total protein and free fatty acids levels. In addition, CCS increased serum GH level and affected SS level. Consistently, significant effects of dietary CCS were observed on the mRNA expression of GH and SS in the anterior pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, respectively, where the intermediate CCS level showed the highest GH mRNA level and lowest SS mRNA level.
In conclusion, the results indicate that dietary supplementation of CCS has beneficial effects on carcass characteristics and meat quality, and affects lipid metabolism in finishing pigs.
Tao WJ, Liu LJ, Li H, Pei X, Wang G, Xiao ZP, Yu R, Li ZF, Wang MQ. Effects of coated cysteamine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 2020; 263: 114480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114480