In order to evaluate the nutritional levels of feedstuffs suitable for fattening of Kagoshima Berkshire swine, simple feeding was conducted in the present study with the swine since their live body weight of 30kg in cage-type pigpens.
In the feeding test, self-compounded feedstuffs with varying TDN levels of 63, 68, 73, and 76.5 and with an almost fixed level of proteins (DCP 11.5-12.0) were kept fed up until their body weights of 50-90kg so as to comparatively evaluate their growths, utility of feedstuffs, results of performances with carcass evaluation, economy, and meat quality (PSE pork). The results were as summarized hereunder.
1. With the feed of a TDN of 63, the growths of the swine were slower and the back fat layer was thinner. The results of grading of their carcass were also lower, but the meat quality (firmness and exudative) tended to be better.
2. With the feed of a TDN of 76.5, the results of the growth (weight gain and feed conversion rate) were better than the counterparts of the feedstuffs with TDNs of 63, 68 and 73, but the back fat layer in this group was thicker and the result of rating of their carcass of undergrade was 15.4%, which was higher than that of the group with a feed of TDN of 73 (7.1%).
3. With the feed of a TDN of 73, a case of PSE pork of a light degree was noted, which was, however, of such an extremely low ratio of 0.02%. It was, however, suggested that there may be incidents of PSE pork if the rate of growth is accelerated in Kagoshima Berkshire swine.
4. With the feed of a TDN of 68, the mean daily weight gain (50-90kg) was approx. 545g and the feed conversion rate was approx. 4.1, which was the standard in Kagoshima Berkshire. The results of grading of carcass were the best in this group and the swine in this group demonstrated superior economy and meat quality.
5. From the results of these findings, it can be assumed that the levels of nutrition for the feedstuffs suitable for fattening of Kagoshima Berkshire swine would be a TDN of 68-73 and a DCP of approx. 11.5.

View full abstract

The spermatoreceptivity of the mucus of porcine cervix and vagina in sexual cycles has been investigated in the present study, along with observations on the mechanism of mucus secretion, variations in the secretion amounts and microfine structure of the mucus.
The mucus was found secreted in the cells of the superficial layer of the multi-layered squamous epithelium of the cervix and vagina.
The amount of the secretion was larger at the earlier stage of estrus and decreased in the latter half of the stage accepting boars.
The microfine structure of the mucus revealed irregular reticular structure composed of fine thread-like substances at the pro-estrus, while, at the stage of acceptance of boars, the structure was of a reticular form with regularity composed of clear thread-formed substance.
Intrusion of spermatozoa into the mucus was not observed throughout the sexual cycle in the in-vitro study.

View full abstract

In order to evaluate the textural characteristics of pork (hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and adhesiveness), both M. longissimus thoracis and M. biceps femoris which were obtained from Kagoshima Berkshire, Large White, Landrace, Humpshire, and Duroc with subsequent boiling at 70°C were subjected to comparative determination with Texturometer by breeds, by sexes, and, for Kagoshima Berkshire, by nutritional levels of feedstuffs. The results were as described hereunder.
1. Comparison by breeds
Both muscles of Large White were the hardest among others, while those of Duroc were the softest. Those of Kagoshima Berkshire ranked between the two breeds.
The highest cohesiveness was seen in the M. longissimus of Kagoshima Berkshire swine, whereas the cohesiveness of both muscles was the lowest in Duroc swine.
Results similar to those of the hardness were seen in the gumminess of both muscles.
From the above-mentioned results, it can be assumed that the meat of Kagoshima Berkshire pork was the toughest for masication over the meat of the other 4 breeds, and could be termed as the so-called “sticky” meat due to the fine texture, high inner binding capacity and sticky and adhesive, while the meat of Duroc swine was soft, of rough texture and lower inner binding capacity, and easy to be disintegrated.
2. Comparison by sexes
Interesting and characteristic results were obtained that both of the muscles of Kagoshima Berkshire swine were harder in the castratrated swine than in the sows.
3. Comparison of feedstuffs by levels of nutrition in Kagoshima Berkshire
Higher values were obtained in the hardness, cohesiveness, and gumminess of both animals in the group with a feed of a TDN of 63 than those of the group with a TDN of 73. More specifically, it was assumed that the longer the fattening, the harder and the gummier the meat would be. It can be therefore assumed to be one of the important themes to evaluate the relationship between the suitable period of time for fattening and the taste of meat.
4. Correlations among the characteristics of texture of meat evaluated with Texturometer (heardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and adhesiveness)
The aspect in common to both muscles in terms of the four characteristic points apart from the breeds and sexes was the highly positive correlation to each other in both the hardness and gumminess of meat.

View full abstract

One thousand sows (450 heads of Landrace (L), 150 heads of Large White (W), 200 heads of Hampshire (H), and 200 heads of Duroc (D)) were sampled from the herd book of Ibaraki Prefectural Association of Livestock lndustry, and their reproductive cycles (days from parturition up to the following conception) were examined with respect to the breeds and farrowing histories (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th farrowings).
The results were as summarized hereunder.
The total average (±S. D.) of the reproductive cycles was 77.2±47.2 days, and the averages of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th farrowings were 86.5, 73.1, 69.9, 76.0, and 67.9 days, respectively. Comparison among the farrowing numbers revealed that the reproductive cycle of the 2nd farrowing was significantly longer than those of the 3rd, 4th, and 6th farrowing at 1% level and that of the 5th farrowing at 5% level.
2. The average reproductive cycles of L, W, H, and D were 84.4±48.5, 68.2±43.8, 73.9±43.2, and 73.7±48.7 days, respectively. The comparison among the breeds revealed that reproductive cycle of L was significantly longer than those of others at 1% level. There was no significant difference in reproductive cycles among the three breeds of W, H, and D.
3. Of all the 4 breeds, reproductive cycle of the 2nd farrowing was longer than those of the other farrowings. The differences were signicant in L and D at 1% level, but insignificant in W and H.

View full abstract

In order to evaluate the effects of water supply restriction in summer upon the growth of swine, comparative studies were conducted on the consumed volumes of drinking water, weight gains, amounts of ingested feedstuffs, and results of performances based on findings upon slaughter after rearing for 11-12 weeks 8 each of W and LH which were divided into two groups of the free water drinking group and the restricted water supply groups of 50% (Experiment 1) and 70% (Experiment 2) from that of the basic amount. The following results were obtained.
1. The mean ratios of the amounts of drinking water to the body weights during the test period in the free water drinking group were 13.4% and 17.6% in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. The actual amounts of drinking water in the restricted water supply group were 7.0% and 4.2% in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively, by which it was found out that the target amounts were approximately consumed, showing significant difference from the counterparts in the free water drinking group. (p<0.01).
2. The weight gains with restriction of the amounts of drinking water into 50% and 70% decreased into 82.3% and 76.3% of that of the free water drinking group, respectively.
3. The amounts of ingested feedstuff were reduced into 85.2% and 79.8% of that of free water drinking group when drinking water was restricted into 50% and 70%, respectively.
4. The mean weights, lengths and hack loin lengths II of the carcass of the animals in the restricted drinking water supply groups tended to be smaller than those of the free water drinking group, while the dressed carcass percentage of the restricted water supply groups tended to be slightly higher than those of the latter group, but there was no difference seen between the two groups in terms of the ratios of ham and thickness of back fat.

View full abstract

The general conditions of urine of 17 pregnant sows examined in the present study were as summarized hereunder.
1) The urinary output, levels of creatinine in urine, and PH, specific gravity and color shade of urine of the unit urination were 3289±2234ml, 0.62±0.55mg/ml, 6.9±0.9, 1.010±0.006, and 1.3±0.5, respectively. As the urinary output increased, the color shade of urine tended to be paler and the specific gravity of urine tended to be lower. A close correlation was seen between the color shade and creatinine content of urine an dbetween the specific gravity and creatinine content of urine.
2) The urinary output, frequency of urination and total creatinine content of urine in 24 hours were 16798±13769ml, 5.2±3.1 times, and 7981.6±3487.4mg/day, respectively, and the level of creatine in urine per kg of live body weight per hour was 1.69mg/hr.kg.
3) The pattern of urination in 24 hours revealed that the urination frequency and urinary output were higher in the period of 12-18 hours and the total creatinine was excreted in higher amounts in 6-12 hours. In 12 hours from 6 up to 18 hours, the urinary output was 75% of the total output and the creatinine was 83% excreted out of the total. Similar results could be obtained in comparison with that of 12 hours urine, and the pattern of the urination showed only minor fluctuations within a day.
4) The urinary output in 24 hours which was estimated from the urinary output in 6 hours since 12 up to 18 hours was Y=1008.3673+2.2521X***, which suggested feasibility to assess the urinary output in 24 hours on the basis of urinary output in limited time span. Assessment of urinary output on the basis of the specific gravity of unit urination resulted in Y=126289.4-121740.9X**.
5) Evaluation of the correlation between the unit urination and 24 hours urine in terms of creatinine levels in urine and specific gravity of urine revealed that a closer correlation existed between the first urination in the afternoon (the first urination in the period from 12 up to 18 hours) and the 24 hours urine in terms of both aspects than between the early morning urine and the 24 hours urine. It was therefore assumed to be more adequate to use the first urination in the afternoon for assessment of the compositions of 24 hours urine in swine.

View full abstract