Effects of dietary digestible energy concentration on growth, meat quality, and PPARγ gene expression in muscle and adipose tissues of Rongchang piglets

► We investigated the effects of dietary DE on meat quality of Rongchang piglets. ► Increasing dietary DE resulted in a linear increase of back fat thickness and IMF. ► A significant linear or quadratic effect was detected for shearing force. ► Increasing dietary DE linearly enhanced the expression of PPARγ in adipose tissues. ► High dietary DE could improve carcass and meat quality of Rongchang piglets.