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Two genetic lines with different lean gains were evaluated for various body measurements and indices of lean tissue in barrows and gilts from 20 to 125 kg of BW. One genetic line was identified as the low-lean line [280 g of fat-free lean (FFL)/d], and the second line was the high-lean line (375 FFL gained/d). The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design using a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial arrangement of treatments in 6 replicates (n = 120 pigs). The 2 genetic lines and sexes were provided ad libitum access to corn-soybean mixtures that met or exceeded their required amino acid requirements for their respective lean gain potentials. Six pigs of each sex and genetic line were slaughtered initially and at 25-kg of BW intervals to 125 kg of BW. Pigs slaughtered were measured for height, width, and length using metal calipers. Backfat and LM area were measured using real-time ultrasound, with backfat depth also measured using A-mode ultrasound technology. Longissimus muscle area and backfat thickness at the 10th rib were measured on the chilled carcass. Data was analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with the animal as the experimental unit. Shoulders (P < 0.05) and lumbars (P < 0.05) were wider in the low-lean genetic line and in barrows. Gilts and the high-lean genetic line had less backfat and greater LM areas than the low-lean genetic line. As BW increased, there was a greater increase in FFL tissue and lower backfat depths in the high-lean vs. the low-lean genetic line. This resulted in a greater divergence of measurement values as BW increased. Femur weight, length, and cortical wall thickness were greater in the high-lean genetic line, but the differences were not significant. The high-lean genetic line had a greater (P < 0.01) organic matrix content in the femur and less ash, resulting in a lower percentage of bone ash (P < 0.01). The results indicate that differences occurred phenotypically between pigs having more muscle (wider hams) or more fat (wider shoulder and lumbar). As BW increased, the high-lean pigs had an increase in lean tissue, particularly after 75 kg of BW, and less backfat and less bone mineralization, whereas the low-lean line pigs had increased backfat and greater bone mineralization. Real-time ultrasound measurements using various formulas to estimate lean tissue produced values close to those determined from carcass measurements at 100 and 125 kg of BW. Key words: body composition, carcass, growth, pig

Barrows and gilts of 2 genetic lines with differing lean gain potentials (high-lean = 375 g of fat-free lean/d; low-lean = 280 g of fat-free lean/d) were used to determine tissue and organ weights and compositions from 20 to 125 kg of BW. The experiment was a 2 (genetic line) x 2 (sex) x 5 (BW) factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design conducted with 2 groups of pigs in 6 replicates (n = 120 pigs). Six pigs from each sex and genetic line were slaughtered at 20 kg of BW and at 25 kg of BW intervals to 125 kg of BW. At slaughter, the internal tissues and organs were weighed. Loin and ham muscles were dissected from the carcass and trimmed of skin and external fat, and the ham was deboned. Residuals from the loin and ham were combined with the remaining carcass. Body components were ground, and their compositions were determined. The results demonstrated that tissue weights increased (P < 0.01) as BW increased. Loin and ham muscle weights increased but at a greater rate in the high-lean line and in gilts resulting in genetic line x BW and sex x BW interactions (P < 0.01). Liver and heart expressed on a BW or a percentage of empty BW basis increased at a greater rate in the high-lean line resulting in a genetic line x BW interaction (P < 0.01). Liver and intestinal tract weights were heavier in barrows than in gilts, significant only at 45 (P < 0.05), 75 (P < 0.01), and 100 (P < 0.05) kg of BW. Loin and ham muscles from the high-lean genetic line and gilts had greater (P < 0.01) water, protein, and ash contents compared with the low-lean genetic line and barrows resulting in genetic line x BW and sex x BW interactions (P < 0.01). The remaining carcass (minus loin and ham muscles) had greater (P < 0.01) amounts of water and protein, and less (P < 0.01) fat in the high-lean genetic line and gilts. The high-lean genetic line and gilts had more total body water, protein, and ash, but less body fat, with these differences diverging as BW increased, resulting in a genetic line x BW interaction (P < 0.01). The results indicated that liver and heart weights were greater in high-lean pigs, reflecting the greater amino acid metabolism, whereas the liver and intestinal tract weights were greater in barrow than gilts, reflecting their greater feed intakes and metabolism of total nutrients consumed. Key words: body composition, genetic, growth, pig, tissue development