Abstract
The present studies aimed at an analysis of the expression level of genes PKM2 and CAST in Longissimus lumborum [LL] muscle tissue of pigs differing as regards the glycolytic potential [GP] and drip loss [DL] from the LL muscle, with reference to the genetic group. The studies covered a total of 65 pigs: 20 purebred Landrace [L], 22 crossbreeds of Landrace with the Yorkshire [L × Y] and 23 three-breed crosses (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc [(L × Y) × D]. In the case of gene PKM2 one may observe in (L × Y) × D crossbreds, compared to L × Y crossbreds, an increased expression, closely related with the increase in dry matter content, including intramuscular fat, as well as a more favourable progress of glycolytic and energy metabolism during the early time post mortem (pH 45 and R 1). Compared with Landrace animals, the lower expression of the CAST gene observed in (L × Y) × D pigs is manifested by a marked improvement of meat quality ( R 1 pH 45 pH 24, pH 48), arising from the rate of glycolytic and energy metabolism, typical for normal meat, that in effect results in its higher culinary and technological value.
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