Question

Describe an experimental set-up to investigate whether the byproducts (fermentation leftovers) of the industrial process to produce tetracycline act as a growth promoter in pigs. Explain how many groups of animals would be needed for such an experiment, what types of diets the animal groups would be fed, identify the control group, and explain the data that are measured in a max of 5 sentences.

Answer 1

We need a minimum of two groups of animals of same breed age size managed under similar conditions simultaneously, numbering >30 in each group. Control group will be fed standard balanced diet and treatment group will be fed same standard balanced diet with added byproducts. Body weights will be recorded on daily basis. If we want to investigate/optimize the level of inclusion for growth promoting effect, we can add more treatment groups fed the byproduct at different inclusions.