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The effect of equi-molar dietary betaine and choline addition on performance and carcass quality of pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

H. Siljander-Rasi ,
K. Tiihonen ,
S. Peuranen  and
P.H. Simmins
H. Siljander-Rasi
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, Animal Production Research, Swine Research Station, Tervamäentie 179, FIN-05840 Hyvinkää, Finland
K. Tiihonen
Affiliation:
Danisco Cultor Innovation, Sokeritehtaantie 20, FIN-02460 Kantvik, Finland
S. Peuranen
Affiliation:
Danisco Cultor Innovation, Sokeritehtaantie 20, FIN-02460 Kantvik, Finland
P.H. Simmins
Affiliation:
Finnfeeds International Ltd., PO Box 777, Marlborough, Wilts, UK, SN9 1XN
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Extract

Betaine has three chemically reactive methyl groups attached to the nitrogen atom of the glycine molecule. Therefore, it can be used as a methyl group donor partially to replace methionine in poultry and pig diets. Recent work also suggests that betaine has an energy sparing role by reducing maintenance requirement of the pig (Schrama and Gerrits, 2000). Betaine has improved performance and carcass leanness in some studies but the results are variable and seem to depend on age and sex of the animal, feeding level and diet composition.

Choline can also be used as methyl donor in animal feeds. In poultry, methyl groups are available after the conversion to betaine in the liver. However, dietary betaine is twice as efficient as the equi-molar dietary choline for increasing liver betaine levels in broiler chick (Saarinen et al., 2000). The aim of this study was to compare the response of pigs fed equi-molar betaine and choline in terms of pig performance and carcass characteristics.

Type
Threatre Presentations
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2001 , 2001 , pp. 7
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2001

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References

Cromwell, M.D., Lindemann, J.R. Randolph, H.J., Moneque, K.M. and Parker, G.R. 1999. Efficacy of betaine as a carcass modifier in finishing pigs fed normal and reduced energy diets. Journal of Animal Science 77, Suppl. 1: 179.Google Scholar
Saarinen, M.T., Kettunen, H., Pulliainen, K., Peuranen, S., Tiihonen, K. and Remus, J. 2000. A novel method to analyse betaine in chicken liver – the effect of dietary betaine and choline supplementation on the hepatic betaine concentration in broiler chicks. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, in press.Google Scholar
Schrama, J.W. and Gerrits, W.J.J. 2000. Effect of dietary betaine supplementation on energy partitioning in pigs. Internal report, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands. 24 p.Google Scholar