Authors : A. M. Gaines , J. A. Carroll and G. L. Allee
Abstract: A 21 d growth experiment was conducted to investigate effects of flucocorticoid injection on pig performance postweaning. At weaning, 30 pigs were weighed and allotted to one of three treatments: saline (Control), Dex (2mg/kg BW i. injection of dexamethasone) or Predef? (2mg/kg BW i. m. injection of Predef? 2x). Initial weights at weaning (5.57?0.02kg) did not differ among treatments (P<0.75). During the first 7 days postweaning, threre was a Time x Treatment effect for ADFI (P<0.02) with predef? pig having higher feed intakes compared to control and Dex pigs. At d7, Predef? pigs were heavier (P<0.002), gaining faster (P<0.001) and consuming more feed (P<0.04) comapred to control and Dex pigs. By d14, predef? pigs tended to be heavier (P<0.08) compared to control and Dex pigs. There were no differences in ADG (P<0.97), ADFI (P<0.84), or Gain:Feed (P<0.30) during the 2nd week postweaning. At d21 there were no differences in BW (p<0.17), ADG (P<0.77), or ADFI (P<0.51). For the overall period, there were no differences in ADG (P<0.16) or Gain: Feed (P<0.12). There was a trend for ADFI to be higher in Predef? pigs (P<0.10) compared to control and Dex pis. Results indicate that dexamethasone injection immediately postweaning doest no improve performance; however, Predef? injection does improve growth performance of pigs during the first 7 days postweaning.
A. M. Gaines , J. A. Carroll and G. L. Allee , 2003. Nursery Performance of Pigs Injected with Exogenous Glucocorticoids at Weaning . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 2: 22-26.