The Effect of Terramycin on the Growth and Body Composition of Pigs

Abstract

Terramycin stimulated the growth of pigs fed a corn-soybean basal ration by the improvement of feed utilization from weaning to market weight. This antibiotic improved the digestibility, especially of dry matter and protein, at an early age. When slaughtered at the same market weight (approximately 80 kg), the pigs receiving terramycin had a higher dressing percentage than those receiving no supplement. In gross analysis, the pigs fed terramycin yielded more total fat and lean meat by weight, but a lower percentage of lean meat and a higher percentage of fat than the controls. With the exception of vitamin A content, which was higher in the livers of terramycin-fed pigs, there was no other significant difference in composition between the internal organs or other meat samples from the two groups of animals. Terramycin residues in meat, if any, did not produce any growth effect in rats. Terramycin stimulated the growth of rats fed pork. Terramycin feeding seemed to favor the infestation of swine by ascarids.