Abstract: 【Objective】 This experiment was aimed to study the effects of adding squalene (SQ) to the diet on the growth performance,carcass traits,meat quality,antioxidant capacity,and economic benefits of growing-finishing pigs,so as to provide a basis for the popularization and application of SQ in pig production. 【Method】 100 Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire three-way crossbred pigs with an initial body weight of 32.50 kg±2.50 kg,were randomly allocated into two groups.Each group had 5 replicates,and each replicate consisted of 10 pigs with a half male and half female.Pigs in control group were fed a basal diet,while pigs in SQ group were fed the basal diet supplemented with SQ at a dose of 240 mg/kg.The experimental period lasted for 98 days.After the experiment,pigs were weighed to determine the growth performance,blood was collected to detect serum antioxidant index,after pigs were slaughtered,liver tissues were collected for antioxidant index detection.Meanwhile,carcasses were divided to determine carcass traits,and the longissimus dorsi muscles were collected to determine meat quality and antioxidant index. 【Result】 Compared with control group,the final body weight and average daily gain of pigs in SQ group were significantly increased (P＜0.05),and the feed to gain ratio (F/G) was significantly decreased (P＜0.05).The preslaughter body weight,carcass weight,and carcass straight length of pigs in SQ group were significantly increased (P＜0.05).pH at 45 min,redness value at 45 min (a^*_{45 min}),yellowness value at 45 min (b^*_{45 min}),and lightness value at 24 h (L^*_{24 h}) of longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs in SQ group were significantly increased (P＜0.05),while the 24 and 48 h drip loss,and shear force were significantly decreased (P＜0.05).The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px),catalase (CAT),and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum of pigs in SQ group were significantly increased (P＜0.05).The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CAT and T-AOC in liver were significantly increased (P＜0.05),and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly decreased (P＜0.05).The T-AOC and SOD activity in longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs in SQ group were significantly increased (P＜0.05),while the MDA content was significantly decreased (P＜0.05). 【Conclusion】 Supplementation of 240 mg/kg SQ in diet could improve the growth performance and meat quality,and enhance the antioxidant capacity of growing-finishing pigs.

Key words: squalene; growing-finishing pigs; growth performance; meat quality; antioxidant capacity