BROMOCRIPTINE-INDUCED REDUCTION OF BODY-FAT IN PIGS

An experiment was conducted with 36 crossbred finishing pigs (18 male castrates and 18 females) to evaluate the effect of bromocriptine implants on growth, feed intake, feed efficiency, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) and carcass characteristics. Three levels of bromocriptine (0, 5 and 10 mg/[pig.d]) were administered, via implants at the base of the ear, to six (two replicates of three) male castrates or to six (two replicates of three) intact female pigs (2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments). Average initial weight of pigs at the time of implantation was 89.7 kg, and the implants remained in the pigs for 28 (replicate 1) or 30 (replicate 2) d prior to slaughter. Gain, feed intake and efficiency of feed utilization were not affected (P greater than .10) by bromocriptine. Plasma urea nitrogen was lower in female pigs administered 10 mg bromocriptine; bromocriptine did not affect PUN of male pigs (gender x bromocriptine, P less than .08). Tenth rib fat thickness and average backfat thickness were lower (P less than .06) and percentage of muscling was higher (P less than .06) in pigs implanted with bromocriptine. Female pigs had less 10th rib fat but larger loin eye areas and a greater percentage of muscling than male pigs.