41 Estimating the heritability of meat quality traits in turkeys

Abstract

Abstract Genetic selection for improved meat quality traits has been successfully implemented in many livestock species. The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of several meat quality traits to assess their selection potential in turkeys. Pedigree toms (n = 1,033) were processed at a commercial facility and live weight, breast meat yield (as a percentage of live weight), ultimate pH, color (CIELAB values), drip loss, cooking loss, and shear force were recorded on M. pectoralis superficialis (fillet). White striping was also rated on a 1–4 scale. Heritabilities were estimated using univariate animal models in ASReml version 4.1. Hatch week and age at slaughter were included as fixed effects in the mode,l and 32 generations of pedigree records were used. Breast meat yield (h2 = 0.62; SE = 0.090) showed the highest heritability and was higher compared to previous estimates, probably due to the smaller sample size. Live weight (h2 = 0.31; SE = 0.078), ultimate pH (h2 = 0.36; SE = 0.087), lightness (h2 = 0.28; SE = 0.086), redness (h2 = 0.22; SE = 0.075), and white striping score (h2 = 0.27; SE = 0.085) all had moderate heritabilities. The estimate for ultimate pH was similar to previous studies in broilers but was high compared to previous studies in turkeys. Estimates for color were similar to those found in previous studies involving turkeys. Drip loss and cooking loss had similar heritability estimates of 0.13 (SE = 0.071) and 0.10 (SE = 0.064), respectively, which were akin to previous estimates in pork. Shear force (h2 = 0.02; SE = 0.056) was found to have a very low heritability. In conclusion, the heritability estimates provided in this study show great potential for the inclusion of meat quality traits in selection programs of turkeys. This study is part of a larger project working towards the implementation of genomic information in the selection of turkeys for improved meat quality.