Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Department
Animal and Nutritional Sciences
Committee Chair
Deborah A. Boone.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) would have an effect on feeding efficiency and carcass composition of 20 finishing barrows obtained from the West Virginia University Animal Science Farm. A posttest experimental design was used to obtain data for the study. The barrows were matched for weight and placed two in a pen. The pens were randomly assigned to a diet consisting of either a 1% CLA oil or 1% soybean oil. The six week study found that weight gain, average daily feed intake, muscle lipids, loin eye area, and color were not affected by CLA. In week five average daily gain for the control group was significantly higher than the CLA group. In weeks one and five the gain to feed ratio was significantly greater for the control group. Subjective marbling scores were higher for the CLA group but not of significant value. Backfat decreased significantly in the CLA group compared to the control group. In conclusion, the use of CLA can create a leaner product with the possibility of increased marbling.
Recommended Citation
Winslow, Natasha R., "The Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Feed Efficiency and Carcass Composition in Barrows" (2011). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 3330.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/3330