Ninety-six barrows and gilts (Landrace x Large White x Duroc), with average initial weight of 25.93±0.57 kg, were used in order to evaluate the effects of Cr on performance and carcass characteristics, in a random block design, according to a 6 x 2 factorial arrangement (6 Cr levels x 2 sexes). A basal diet (0 ppb Cr) was supplemented with 100, 200, 300, 400 e 500 ppb Cr, as Cr-nicotinic acid, added to the vitamin premix. On the 70th day of the experimental period, all animals were weighted, slaughtered and had their carcass evaluated using Hennessy probe and the Brazilian Carcass Classification Method. There was a significant sex effect (P<0.006) on all the studied variables, except loin eye area and loin deepness. Cr level in diet did not show any effect of the performance or carcass variables (P>0.05). The addition of up to 500 ppb Cr in the diet, in the form of Cr-nicotinic acid, did not improve performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs.
swine; performance; carcass quality
