The effect of conjugated linoleic acid on fat to lean repartitioning and feed conversion in pigs

The repartioning effect of CLA was evaluated using 108 pigs (54 gilts and 54 barrows) fed from 61.5 to 106 kg liveweight. Pigs were fed a cereal-based basal diet containing either 2% CLA or 2% sunflower oil (a rich source of alpha-linoleic acid). Irrespective of gender, pigs fed CLA tended to have reduced feed intakes (-5.2%, P = 0.07), improved feed conversion efficiences (-5.9%, P = 0.06) and similar rates of gain relative to sunflower oil fed pigs. In addition, pigs fed CLA deposited less subcutaneous fat (-6.8%, P = 0.01) and gained more lean (+2.3%, P = 0.03) than pigs fed sunflower oil. These data suggest CLA can be used as a repartioning agent in pigs and that further research to optimize the repartitioning effect is warranted.