Performance and Meat Quality of Intrauterine Growth Restricted Pigs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Pigs with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are neonates born at term but having low birth weight and a characteristic head shape. IUGR is observed in 6-10% of pig neonates. IUGR causes problems in livestock farms due to high mortality of the piglets in the first days of life and slower postnatal growth. Tracing the surviving IUGR piglets is difficult, so the data on their post-weaning growth, performance, and carcass quality is scanty. This study shows that the post-weaning performance of IUGR pigs is poorer than that of their normal littermates. However, the growers’/fatteners’ morbidity and meat quality is not different, and the consumer preference tests clearly show that the meat of the IUGR pigs is more readily accepted than that of the normal pigs. Consumers indicated better taste, smell, and consistency of this meat. The basis of consumers preference is in a slightly different chemical composition and structure of the muscle tissue. This study shows that efforts toward reducing high mortality among IUGR neonates may be beneficial. ABSTRACT: Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) pigs are characterized by high perinatal mortality and dysfunction of internal organs, adipose, and muscle tissues. However, little is known about the post-weaning performance and meat quality of the IUGR pigs. The aim of this study was to compare normal pigs and pigs with IUGR from birth until slaughter, also with respect to their meat quality. Pigs with the IUGR achieved lower slaughter weight but did not differ significantly from normal pigs in terms of their meat content. The IUGR did not negatively affect the culinary quality of the obtained meat, including its content of basic chemical components and energy value, as well as hardness, chewiness, cohesiveness, elasticity, and penetration force. The meat of the IUGR pigs, when compared to the meat of normal pigs, was characterized by higher pH, lower EC (Electrical Conductivity) and drip loss; it was also tenderer and obtained higher scores in sensory evaluation of taste, smell, and general desirability. Therefore, such raw material can be appreciated by the consumers and can be used for the production of culinary portions similarly to the raw material obtained from normal pigs.