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Influence of Body Composition of Weanling Pigs on Survival under Stress

Ross Laboratories, Columbus 16, Ohio

1. By the use of two diets, one high fat, low protein, and the other low fat, high protein, the carcass composition of the 8-week-old pig can be markedly altered.

2. The ability to survive stress in the form of starvation, thirsting or both is influenced by body composition and prior plane of protein nutrition.

3. Survival of 8-week-old pigs, deprived of water and calories, was longest for those animals having the greatest body water content.

4. Water deprivation, with calories available, considerably shortened the period of survival, and body composition seemed without influence in this stress situation.

5. Survival of 8-week-old animals deprived of calories, with water available, was longest for pigs with the greatest fat stores.

6. Under all three types of stress, the rate of protein catabolism was two to three times greater for those animals fed a high-protein diet during the first 8 weeks of life.

7. Changes in liver composition during stress parallel the changes observed in carcass composition.

8. In considering survival in situations of reduced calorie and water supplies, body composition and prior plane of protein nutrition become decisive factors.

Manuscript received 6 April 1959.