Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Agribusiness Practice Test

What is the primary use of porcine somatotropin (PST)?

1. To promote healthy digestion in pigs

2. As a growth-enhancing hormone for pigs

3. To improve reproductive health

4. For disease prevention in livestock

The correct answer is: As a growth-enhancing hormone for pigs

Porcine somatotropin (PST) is primarily used as a growth-enhancing hormone for pigs. It is a naturally occurring protein hormone that promotes growth and increases feed efficiency in swine. When administered, PST helps pigs to convert feed into muscle more effectively, resulting in increased weight gain, improved body composition, and overall better performance in commercial pig production. This role is significant because it enables producers to raise healthier animals while optimizing resource use, contributing to more sustainable farming practices. The use of PST can help farmers achieve a higher return on investment due to the increased meat yield from the pigs. Other areas, such as promoting healthy digestion, improving reproductive health, or disease prevention, are not the primary functions of PST. While these aspects are important in the overall management of livestock, they do not directly relate to the primary biochemical actions of PST in enhancing growth and feed efficiency in swine.