THE OBESE GENE AND VOLUNTARY FEED INTAKE IN ADULT FEMALE PIGS

SUMMARY Leptin is thought to play a major role in the control of voluntary food intake. Twenty non-pregnant and non lactating Largewhite x Landrace sows of approximately 110 kg were randomly allocated into 2 groups and received either a high protein (HP, 15.6% crude protein and. 14.5 MJ DE/kg) or low protein (LP, 5.8% crude protein and 14.6 MJ DE/kg) diet over a period of 114 days. The resulting fat and lean groups and 2 different diets were used in a 2x2 factotial arrangement to measure VFI for 14 days after completion of the first period (114 days). Blood and fat were sampied throughout the 114 days and analysed for 08 gene mRNA and leptin in plasma. The; body composition of the pigs was manipulated successfully and there was a significant increase in leptin concentration over time but there was no affect of fat o/o on ob mRNA levels, leptin levels or voluntary food intake