Influence of betaine and conjugated linoleic acid on development of carcass cuts of Iberian pigs growing from 20 to 50 kg body weight

Twenty Iberian gilts (20 kg body weight, BW) were fed diets containing no betaine or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (Control), 0.5% betaine, 1% CLA, or 0.5% betaine + 1% CLA. Additionally, 5 pigs were killed at 20 kg BW for the initial points of the allometric equations. At 50 kg BW, left semicarcasses were cut into primal cuts, hams and shoulders trimmed and dissected. CLA alone did not affect any analyzed parameter. Betaine increased (23 and 21%, respectively) the yield of shoulder butt and spine and decreased allometric growth coefficient of belly and backfat, compared to Control diet. Tenderloins and trimmed hams of pigs fed CLA + betaine diet developed later and were heavier (22 and 5%, respectively) than Control pigs. Also, leaf fat developed earlier and had lighter weight (32%). Furthermore, pigs fed CLA + betaine diet had heavier lean (5%) and fat free lean (6%) of shoulders compared to Control pigs.