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The heat stresses the Iberian pigs and reduces their growth



Dietary supplementation with betaine and zinc in iberian pigs It does not prevent the negative effects of heat stress during growth. This is one of the main findings of a study published by the Animal Nutrition Group in the United States Zeidan Experimental Station (EEZ) The Supreme Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) in the journal Journal of Thermal Biology. Betaine and zinc have been used To stimulate pig growth in optimal conditions of temperature and some theories have suggested that it can relieve heat stress.

Pigs are very sensitive to high temperatures Because of its high metabolic heat production and rapid growth. next to, Lack of sweat glands and sequestration of the skin “Because of the thickness of their subcutaneous fat, it makes these mammals particularly sensitive to heat stress,” explains researcher Zaira Pardo, EEZ.

Pigs are very sensitive to high temperatures Because of its high metabolic heat production and rapid growth. next to, Lack of sweat glands and sequestration of the skin “Because of the thickness of their subcutaneous fat, it makes these mammals particularly sensitive to heat stress,” explains researcher Zaira Pardo, EEZ.

This environmental variable It threatens pig production all over the world It can lead to significant economic losses. The main areas of pig production in Spain suffer from the harshness of the Mediterranean climate in the summer, When the maximum ambient temperatures are between 31°C and 36°C on average. “Although it is a global concern, There is very little information about the effects of this stress on domestic breeds. Although this animal is considered to be fully adapted to its environment, the thick layer of fat can make the Iberian pig more sensitive to higher temperatures,” adds Pardo.

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on the search The animals were randomly divided into two environments. (Rest and stress) and three different diets (Control, supplemented with betaine and supplemented with zinc). The temperature used in the experiment is 30 degrees Celsius. To induce stress is similar to the average temperature of the hottest months From the Mediterranean climate. “The comfort zone for pigs fluctuates between 18 and 25°C, so temperatures above 25°C activate thermoregulatory responses,” explains the EEZ researcher.

In countries with hot climates, Heat stress prevention programs can be a tool It is useful in reducing growth problems in pigs due to the increased frequency of heat waves due to climate change. The next step of this research will be to determine the effects of heat stress at other stages of the productive cycle for this variety and to seek new strategies to mitigate them.

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