Interactive effects of betaine, crude protein, and net energy in finishing pigs.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of betaine on growth and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, 32 gilts were fed one of two diets: 1) a corn-soybean meal basal (B) diet or 2) B + .125% betaine diet. In Exp. 2, 122 gilts were allotted to one of eight dietary treatments in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of betaine (0 or .125%), crude protein (adequate [ACP] or inadequate [ICP]), and net energy (NE; 0 or 6% added fat). In Exp. 1, betaine did not affect (P > .10) growth performance or carcass traits other than an increased (P < .05) dressing percentage. In Exp. 2, betaine tended to decrease ADFI during the overall experimental period (P = .11). In the late finishing period (LF), betaine increased ADG in inadequate CP low-NE diets and adequate CP high-NE diets, but decreased ADG in inadequate CP high-NE and adequate CP low-NE diets (betaine x CP x NE, P < .04). Betaine increased (P < .04) carcass length and decreased (P < .01) color score for pork quality. Other carcass measurements were unaffected (P > .10) by betaine. Betaine decreased (P < .02) serum urea N (SUN) in fed pigs during the LF period. Betaine decreased fasting SUN and albumin in pigs fed the ACP diets, but it increased fasting SUN and albumin in pigs fed the ICP diets during the LF period (betaine x CP, P = .10). Betaine increased serum total protein in the low-NE diets, but not in the high-NE diets (betaine x NE, P < .08). The serum metabolite data suggest that betaine may affect protein status of pigs, and these effects may depend on the crude protein and energy content of the diet.

Impact of dietary betaine and conjugated linoleic acid on insulin sensitivity, protein and fat metabolism of obese pigs

“…Our data indicated that betaine and betaine 1 CLA supplementation did significantly decrease serum urea concentration compared with Control pigs, suggesting dissimilar protein metabolism. Similar results were also reported in finishing pigs (Matthews et al, 1998;Huang et al, 2007) fed betaine. On the contrary, Martins et al (2010) in Alentejano finishing pigs reported no effect of betaine on plasma urea.…”

“…However, contrary to Ostrowska et al (2002), we have found no serum NEFA change in pigs fed CLA diets and similar results were found in lactating sows (Bontempo et al, 2004). In this study, betaine had no effect in serum NEFA and similar results have previously been reported (Matthews et al, 1998;Øverland et al, 1999). Furthermore, it is interesting to point out that whole body or hepatic fatty acid oxidation was not affected by betaine in growing pigs (Wray-Cahen et al, 2004), suggesting that reduction in adipose accretion must be via a mechanism other than oxidation.…”

“…Although increased total cholesterol (Matthews et al, 2001;Martins et al, 2010) and decreased HDL/total cholesterol (Martins et al, 2010) have been reported in pigs fed betaine, other authors reported no betaine effect on cholesterol, plasma NEFA or TG (Matthews et al, 1998;Øverland et al, 1999). We found decreased HDL/total cholesterol in betaine pigs, but no significant effects in total cholesterol or fractions.…”

“…On the contrary, Martins et al (2010) in Alentejano finishing pigs reported no effect of betaine on plasma urea. Matthews et al (1998) suggested that the effects of betaine on protein status of pigs were dependent on the CP and energy content of the diet. Regarding CLA, supplementation of the diet for 8 days did not alter plasma urea of finishing pigs (Ostrowska et al, 2002), which is consistent with our results.…”

Dietary betaine supplementation has energy-sparing effects in feedlot cattle during summer, particularly in those without access to shade

“…While most studies examining betaine supplementation have been with poultry and pigs, its effects are equivocal in other species where the responses are less obvious (Bock et al 2002;Fernández et al 1998;Loest et al 2002). In pigs, the varied responses to betaine are thought to be due to the protein and energy content of the diet (Matthews et al 1998) and this may also be the case in cattle. There is little uniformity between studies, deeming the interpretation of pooled responses to betaine in cattle impractical; however, the effect of betaine on lipid metabolism is a recurring theme.…”