CLA supplementation had no significant effect on average daily gain, feed conversion, or daily feed intake. G 1 gilts had less 10 th rib backfat, larger loin eye areas, and higher predicted percent lean than G 2 gilts. G 1 gilts also had lower color and marbling scores. This study demonstrated a large effect of CLA supplementation on increased belly firmness. Genetically lean gilts often have very soft fat.
Lean pigs rely on dietary sources of fat for fat tissue growth rather than de novo fat synthesis.
De novo fat synthesis yields more saturated fat, which is much firmer than unsaturated fat. Feeding a higher percentage of dietary fat usually decreases de novo synthesis, because the pig is acquiring adequate fatty acids from dietary sources. Under these conditions, the pig will deposit the same type of fat as consumed from its diet. CLA alters this process in some way. CLA improved the pork quality of genetically lean pigs.