This study was conducted to assess the effect of sex and betaine supplemented
diet on chemical composition, cholesterol content, meat quality, fatty acids
composition and oxidative stability of pork from entire males, surgical
castrates and gilts. A total of forty-two pigs - (entire males - EM,
surgical castrates - SC, and gilts - G, each of 14) progeny of Landrace sows
and Hampshire x Pietrain boars were involved in the trial. Pigs were
allocated to the control and experimental groups (each of 21 pigs - 7 EM, 7
SC and 7 G). Control pigs received standard diet without any supplement
whereas experimental ones were fed the same diet with supplement of betaine
(1.25 g.kg-1 of feed) for thirty days prior to slaughter. Castrates had
significantly higher intramuscular fat and cholesterol content (P<0.05) than
entire males and gilts. Also, they had greater content of vaccenic,
arachidonic (P<0.05), oleic, eicosanoic, and total monounsaturated fatty
acids (P<0.01). Contrary, entire males had the highest level of linolenic,
linoleic, total polyunsaturated and n-6 fatty acids (P<0.05). Sex of pigs
did not have any effect on meat quality and oxidative stability of pork.
Betaine supplementation increased cholesterol content in castrates compared
to other two sexes (P<0.05). Drip loss value was reduced in group of entire
males (P<0.05) and oxidative stability of muscle was improved in all three
groups (P<0.05). Fatty acids profile was not influenced by betaine
treatment. Interactions between sex and betaine supplementation were
observed for cholesterol concentration, drip loss value, oleic, linolenic,
total polyunsaturated and n-6 fatty acids as well as oxidative stability
after 30 and 120 min. of incubation.
Fatty Acids Composition of Vegetable Oils and Its Contribution to Dietary Energy Intake and Dependence of Cardiovascular Mortality on Dietary Intake of Fatty Acids
