
Researchers Explore Possible Changes in Body
Composition of Future Pigs By Jill Lee May 21, 1999Two natural animal hormones are critical
to developing fat cells in fetal pigs. One increases the number of fat cells;
the other makes fat cells bigger. They work best together, say researchers--and
knowing this may someday make leaner pork possible. The scientists, with the Agricultural
Research Service, found these hormones of the thyroid and adrenal glands
work in tandem to give fetal pigs the sustaining layers of fat they will need
after birth. The thyroid hormone increases fat cell numbers; the adrenal one increases
their size. Together they allow for a greater increase in fat than either
hormone alone, according to the lead researcher, animal physiologist Gary J.
Hausman. He's at the
Animal Physiology
Research Unit of ARS Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center
in Athens, Ga. Hausman and colleagues studied the role of these hormones by treating fetal
pigs with thyroxine (a thyroid hormone) or hydrocortisone (an adrenal hormone)
at various stages of gestation. Other fetal pigs received both hormones.
Results showed the hormone combination caused more fat deposition than either
hormone alone. The study results suggest the potential for an opportunity for producing
leaner pork by reducing levels of one of the hormones in a fetal pig or piglet.
The scientists reason that since the hormones' combined activity accelerates
fat gains, restricting their partnership--by limiting one of the
hormones--might reduce the fat gains. This might be done by breeding or through
treatments as the piglet grows. By understanding the biology of fat hormones, the researchers hope to learn
more about reducing fat in pork. This information could also be useful to
medical researchers seeking to understand factors contributing to obesity in
humans. ARS is the chief scientific agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Scientific contact: Gary Hausman, ARS Richard B. Russell Agricultural
Research Center, Athens, Ga., phone (706) 546-3584, fax (706) 546-3586,
[email protected]. Story contacts Animal Physiology Research Gary J Hausman U.S. Department of Agriculture | |