Ractopamine hydrochloride (R) is commonly used in the livestock industry, mainly in pork and beef, to improve feed efficiency and productivity. In the present study, the use of R at different doses (20 ppm, 30 ppm, or 40 ppm) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of guinea pigs (male and female) was explored with a view to achieving greater use of this species for human consumption. Thirty-two clinically healthy guinea pigs at an average age of 5 weeks were used. The daily gain, feed over gain ratio, Kleiber ratio, carcass yield, and muscle thickness of the thigh in millimeters were measured. The results obtained were compared to a control group treated with only purified water, without R. Arithmetically, the measured variables showed benefits in the groups treated with R, with the results of Kleiber ratio and muscle thickness of the right thigh demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05). In the present work, the noncastrated males treated with R exhibited a more positive effect than the females (P = 0.006). The results suggest that the use of R as a growth promoter could benefit the productivity of guinea pigs for human consumption.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.