Fat Content In Breast Muscle Research Articles

Dietary Supplementation with Rutin Alters Meat Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, Antioxidant Capacity, and Expression Levels of Genes Associated with Lipid Metabolism in Breast Muscle of Qingyuan Partridge Chickens.

Consumer demand for tasty and quality meat has been quickly increasing. This study investigated how dietary supplemented rutin affects meat quality, muscle fatty acid profile, and antioxidant capacity in the Chinese indigenous Qingyuan partridge chicken. A cohort of 180 healthy 119-day-old chickens was subjected to a randomized assignment into three groups, identified as the control, R200, and R400 groups, with respective supplementation of 0, 200, and 400 mg/kg of rutin. The results revealed insignificance in growth performance, namely, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed-to-gain ratio, across the various treatment groups (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, dietary rutin supplementation increased (p < 0.05) breast muscle yield and intramuscular fat content in breast muscle and decreased (p < 0.05) drip loss in breast muscle. Rutin supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the content of high-density lipoprotein but decreased (p < 0.05) the contents of glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in serum. Rutin supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the levels of DHA (C22:6n-3), total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 PUFAs, decanoic acid (C10:0), the activity of Δ5 + Δ6 (22:6 (n - 3)/18:3 (n - 3)), and the ratio of PUFA/SFA in breast muscle but decreased (p < 0.05) the level of palmitoleic acid (C16:1n-7), the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs, and the activity of Δ9 (16:1 (n - 7)/16:0). Rutin treatment also reduced (p < 0.05) the contents of malondialdehyde in serum and breast muscle, and increased (p < 0.05) the catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity in serum and breast muscle and the activity of total superoxide dismutase in serum. Additionally, rutin supplementation downregulated the expression of AMPKα and upregulated the expression of PPARG, FADS1, FAS, ELOVL7, NRF2, and CAT in breast muscle (p < 0.05). Convincingly, the results revealed that rutin supplementation improved meat quality, fatty acid profiles, especially n-3 PUFAs, and the antioxidant capacity of Qingyuan partridge chickens.

Evaluation of dietary metabolizable energy concentrations on meat quality and lipid metabolism-related gene expression in yellow-feathered chickens.

This study evaluated the effects of different dietary metabolizable energy (ME) concentrations on the meat quality, carcass traits, volatile flavourand lipid metabolism-related gene expression levels in yellow-feathered chickens. In total, 600 Huxu female chickens aged 90 days were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments, each with 10 replicates of 10 birds. During the finisher phase, the birds were fed diets containing 2880 (low), 2940, 3000, 3060, 3120and 3180 (high) kcal ME/kg. The results showed that the average daily gain of chickens increased as the dietary ME concentration increased, while the feed to gain improved (p < 0.05), and the intramuscular fat content of breast muscle increased (p < 0.05). The energy concentration had no effect on the breast muscle pH (45 min and 24 h), colour parameter (L*)or percentage of drip loss (p > 0.05), but the shear force values decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The diameter and area of the breast muscle fiber decreased and the muscle fibre density increased as the dietary ME concentration increased (p < 0.05). The highest ME concentration (3180 kcal) increased the percentages of aldehydes (hexanal, heptanal, 2,4-nonadienal, octanal, nonanaland 2-decenal), alcohols (2-nonen-1-ol, trans-2-undecen-1-ol, 7-hexadecenal, 2-hexyl-1-decanoaland n-nonadecanol-1,3,7,11-trimethyl-1-dodecanol), alkanes (2,6-dimethyl-heptadecane)and carboxylic acids (9-hexadecenoic acid), but reduced the percentages of octadecanal, octadecane, heneicosaneand tetradecanal (p < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA gene expression levels of fatty acid-binding protein 3 and apolipoprotein B were significantly upregulated in the liver, whereas that of cholesteryl ester transfer protein was significantly downregulated. In conclusion, increasing the ME diet to 3180 kcal/kg significantly improved the quality and flavour of the meat from yellow-feathered broilers. our finding may help poultry producers to improve the taste of meat by regulating genes related to lipid metabolism, thereby achieving the flavour and taste characteristics preferred by consumers.

Effects of cottonseed meal on slaughter performance, meat quality, and meat chemical composition in Jiangnan White goslings

Cottonseed meal (CSM), which is an unconventional protein material with abundant sources, high protein content, and a relatively cheap price, can be used in poultry diets. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CSM on slaughter performance, meat quality and meat chemical composition in Jiangnan White goslings. A total of 300 healthy 28-day-old male goslings were randomly divided into 5 treatments, with 6 pens containing 10 geese each. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental diets were formulated such that 0% (a corn-soybean meal basal diet, control), 25% (CSM25), 50% (CSM50), 75% (CSM75), and 100% (CSM100) protein from soybean meal was replaced with CSM (corresponding to 0, 6.73, 13.46, 20.18, and 26.91% CSM in the feed, respectively). On day 70, 1 goose from each pen (6 geese per treatment) was randomly selected and killed to measure the slaughter performance, meat quality, and the meat amino acid (AA) and fatty acid (FA) compositions. The results showed that dietary CSM did not affect the slaughter performance or meat quality of geese (P > 0.05). The fat content of breast muscle in the CSM100 group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). A concentration of 13.46% or more dietary CSM increased the threonine content but decreased the cysteine content, and 20.18% dietary CSM also decreased the valine content (P < 0.05). Dietary CSM concentration had no effect on the content of total saturated FAs (SFAs, P > 0.05), but 20.18 and 26.91% dietary CSM increased the content of total monounsaturated FAs and decreased the content of total polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) and PUFA/SFA in the breast muscle of geese (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary CSM did not affect the slaughter performance or meat quality of geese, but the replacement of soybean meal with CSM in whole or high proportion altered the composition of AAs and FAs in breast muscle.

The Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Gut Bacteria of Broilers Raised with or without Antibiotics and Green Tea Powder

SUMMARY This study was to investigate whether green tea powder can be directly used as a feed additive for broiler production. Arbor Acres male broilers (n = 288) were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments consisting of 6 replicates with 12 broilers each in a completely randomized design. The 4 treatments were as follows: basal diet (CON), basal diet with 0.0004% antibiotics (ENBAC), basal diet with 1% green tea powder (GTP), basal diet with 0.0004% antibiotics, and 1% GTP (GTPEN). Broilers with the GTP treatment lowered body weight gain during their early age (days 0–21), but tended to increase the body weight during the late stage (days 21–42) of production. The feed conversion ratio was not changed upon dietary green tea powder supplementation when the whole production period is concerned. The leg muscle was proportionally high and abdominal fat was proportionally low in the GTP group as compared with that in the ENBAC group. The lightness (L*) value, the shear force, and the calcium content of the GTP group were lower in the breast meat as compared with the ENBAC group. A higher redness (a*) value and intramuscular fat content of breast muscle were observed in the GTP group. Dietary GTP supplementation promoted Lactobacillus proliferation, inhibited E. coli proliferation in the ileum and cecum of the broilers during their 28–42 d of age. Green tea powder could be used as feed additive to improve meat color and Lactobacillus proliferation for broiler production.

Impacts of Graded Levels of Metabolizable Energy on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Slow-Growing Yellow-Feathered Male Chickens.

Simple SummaryInadequate feed inhibits the potential performance of birds, and giving birds excess nutrients or levels higher than the requirement reduces production profits and may lead to negative effects on performance. Although recently there has been an expanding market worldwide for slower growing chickens to meet the consumer demand for a better tasting meat, little effort has gone into optimizing their dietary nutrient levels. Using fiv e different dietary energy levels, this study evaluated the optimal requirement of dietary energy for maximal growth rate, feed:gain ratio, meat quality indices, and blood metabolites of a Chinese yellow-feathered breed.A dose-response study was conducted to investigate the metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for Lingnan chickens from 9 to 15 weeks of age. One thousand two hundred 8-week-old slow-growing yellow-feathered male chickens were allotted to five dietary ME levels (2805, 2897, 2997, 3095 and 3236 kcal/kg). The results revealed that the daily metabolizable energy intake increased (p < 0.01), whereas the feed intake and feed:gain ratio decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with the increment in dietary ME level. The final body weight and daily gain of the highest ME treatment tended (p > 0.05) to be greater than those obtained with the lower ME levels. The fat content in breast muscle showed a quadratic response (p < 0.05) to the increase in dietary energy level. The shear force values of breast muscle in the 2897, 3095 and 3236 kcal/kg treatments were lower (p < 0.05) than those of the 2997 kcal/kg treatment. In conclusion, among the tested ME levels, 3095 kcal/kg was adequate for feed intake, shear force, and plasma uric acid, and 3236 kcal/kg tended to increase the body weight, body gain, and feed conversion ratio of Lingnan males between 9 and 15 weeks of age; further studies are still required for testing higher levels.

Effects of genomic selection for intramuscular fat content in breast muscle in Chinese local chickens.

Improvements in living standards have resulted in consumers having higher expectations for chicken meat quality. This is particularly true in Asia, where there is high consumer preference for local breeds. Nothing is presently known about the effectiveness of using genomic selection (GS) strategies in chickens to genetically improve meat quality traits that cannot be measured in living potential parents. In this study, 724 Beijing-You chickens were used as a training population; all were genotyped using Illumina 60K SNP chips, and intramuscular fat content in breast muscle (IMFbr ) was measured. Birds in the GS line were selected based on genomic estimated breeding values, IMFbr being the sole trait. Genetic progress in one generation was compared to that from conventional family-based selection, and both were evaluated against random-bred controls. Results showed that relative to the random-bred controls, IMF percentage was improved 9.62% using GS, comparable to the 10.38% improvement using family-based selection. We quantified the effectiveness of GS when applied to a meat quality trait with low heritability in chickens. We plan to introduce custom SNP chips, appropriate for native chicken breeds in China, to assist in applying GS in local breeding and accelerate genetic gain.

High concentrations of atmospheric ammonia induce alterations of gene expression in the breast muscle of broilers (Gallus gallus) based on RNA-Seq.

BackgroundHigh concentrations of atmospheric ammonia are one of the key environmental stressors affecting broiler production performance, which causes remarkable economic losses as well as potential welfare problems of the broiler industry. Previous reports demonstrated that high levels of ammonia altered body fat distribution and meat quality of broilers. However, the molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways in breast muscle altered by high concentrations of ambient ammonia exposure on broilers are still unknown.ResultsThis study utilized RNA-Seq to compare the transcriptomes of breast muscles to identify differentially enriched genes in broilers exposed to high and low concentrations of atmospheric ammonia. A total of 267 promising candidate genes were identified by differential expression analysis, among which 67 genes were up-regulated and 189 genes were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the up and down-regulation of these genes were involved in the following two categories of cellular pathways and metabolisms: Steroid biosynthesis (gga00100) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway (gga03320), which both participated in the lipid metabolism processes.ConclusionsThis study suggests that longtime exposure to high concentrations of aerial ammonia can change fat content in breast muscle, meat quality and palatability via altering expression level of genes participating in important lipid metabolism pathways. These findings have provided novel insights into our understanding of molecular mechanisms of breast muscles exposed to ammonia in broilers. This study provides new information that could be used for genetic breeding and nutritional intervention in production practice of broilers industry in the future.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2961-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effects of Maternal Dietary Energy Restriction on Fat Deposition of Offspring

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of maternal dietary energy restriction on growth performance, serum indices and fat deposition of offspring. A total of 400 female Arbor Acres (AA) broiler breeders were studied. These female birds involved three experimental treatments and a control group with normal dietary energy diets (ND, 11.7 MJ of ME • kg−1 during the laying). In treatments 2, 3 and 4, the energies of diets were 20%, 30% and 50% (LD20, LD30 and LD50) lower than those of the control, respectively. The study commenced at the beginning of the laying period when the total egg production reached 5% of the flock. All the broiler offspring were fed the same diets. The results showed that in low energy diets, offspring showed decreased 1-day-old weight, but 49-day-old weight was higher in LD20 diet (P<0.05). For offspring during days 1-49, the average daily gain (ADG) in LD20 group and the feed conversion ratio in LD50 group were improved as compared with those of the control (P<0.05). Compared with the control, abdominal fat percentage increased in 49-day-old offspring from LD30 diet (P<0.05); the fat content of breast muscle in offspring increased in broilers fed low energy diets (P<0.05). In 28-day-old offspring from breeders given LD20 and LD50 diets, liver fat percentages were higher compared with ND (P<0.05). The subcutaneous fat thickness in 28-day-old offspring from LD50 group and 49-day-old offspring from LD30 group was higher (P<0.05). On day 49, the serum cholesterol (CHO) of offspring from breeders fed LD20 diet and serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of offspring from breeders fed LD50 diet reduced compared with those of the control (P<0.05). In addition, a higher triiodothyronine (T3) content in serum was found in offspring from broiler breeders given LD20 and LD30 diets (P<0.05). Serum thyroxine (T4) in offspring significantly decreased with the decrease of diet energy (P<0.05). In conclusion, to a certain extent, dietary energy restriction in breeders could improve growth performance and promote lipid metabolism of offspring.

Effect of probiotic preparation for chemical composition of meat cocks different combinations of hybrid chicks

In the experiment were verified the application of probiotic preparation through a water supply for feeding of cock’s hybrids Ross 308, Hubbard JV and Cobb 500 in the chemical composition of the most valuable parts of the carcass. Probiotic was based on the strain Lactobacillus fermentum with containing of 1.109 cfu.g−1 and potentially components of maltodextrin and oligofructose in 1% concentration. Length of feeding period was 42 days. Cocks were fed an ad libitum with the same starter mixture HYD-01 to 21th day and from 22nd to 42nd day of feeding with mixture HYD-02 in powdery form. The average of protein content of breast muscle was highest in Hubbard JV hybrid (23.93 g.100 g−1), lower in Cobb 500 hybrid (23.90 g.100 g−1) and lowest in Ross 308 hybrid (23.73 g.100 g−1), without significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) between hybrids and hybrids groups. Effect of probiotics had increased the protein content (P ≥ 0.05) in breast muscle of Ross 308 and Cobb 500 cocks and at the Hubbard JV only lower doses application during the feeding. The average of fat content in 100 g of breast muscle was lowest in Cobb 500 hybrid (1.09 g), higher in Hubbard JV hybrid (1.28 g) and highest in Ross 308 hybrid (1.35 g). Effect of probiotic to reduce fat content in breast muscle of cocks was at Ross 308 hybrid (1.33 and 1.23 g.100 g−1), Cobb 500 hybrid (0.98 and 1.02 g.100 g−1) and in second experimental group at Hubbard JV hybrid (1.03 g.100 g−1) statistically significant (P ≥ 0.05) in compared with control group, but significantly (P ≤ 0.05) between hybrids Cobb 500 and Hubbard JV in the first test groups. The average of energy value in 100 g of breast muscle was highest in Hubbard JV hybrid (449.24 kJ), lower in Ross 308 hybrid (448.40 kJ) and lowest in Cobb 500 hybrid (441.45 kJ), without significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) between hybrids and hybrids groups. The average of protein content of the femur was highest in Ross 308 hybrid (18.56 g.100 g−1), lower in Cobb 500 hybrid (18.42 g.100 g−1) and lowest in Hubbard JV (17.54 g.100 g−1) without statistical significance (P ≥ 0.05). Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) of the femur were found at lower dose of probiotics between cock’s hybrids Hubbard JV (16.95 g.100 g−1) and Ross 308 (18.48 g.100 g−1) in the protein content. The average of fat content in the femur was highest in Ross 308 hybrid (10.58 g.100 g−1), lower in Hubbard JV hybrid (10.51 g.100 g−1) and lowest in Cobb 500 hybrid (10.29 g.100 g−1) without significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) between hybrids and hybrids groups. The higher fat and protein content in 100 g of the femur in Ross 308 hybrid was ensured the highest energy value (710.88 kJ), lower in Cobb 500 hybrid (696.40 kJ) and lowest in Hubbard JV hybrid (689.77 kJ) without significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) between hybrids and hybrids groups. The verified probiotic preparation in the final analysis had not negative effect on the chemical composition of the most valuable parts of the carcase cock’s hybrids Ross 308, Hubbard JV and Cobb 500.

The identification of 14 new genes for meat quality traits in chicken using a genome-wide association study

BackgroundMeat quality is an important economic trait in chickens. To identify loci and genes associated with meat quality traits, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of F2 populations derived from a local Chinese breed (Beijing-You chickens) and a commercial fast-growing broiler line (Cobb-Vantress).ResultsIn the present study, 33 association signals were detected from the compressed mixed linear model (MLM) for 10 meat quality traits: dry matter in breast muscle (DMBr), dry matter in thigh muscle (DMTh), intramuscular fat content in breast muscle (IMFBr), meat color lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values, skin color L*, a* (redness) and b* values, abdominal fat weight (AbFW) and AbFW as a percentage of eviscerated weight (AbFP). Relative expressions of candidate genes identified near significant signals were compared using samples of chickens with High and Low phenotypic values. A total of 14 genes associated with IMFBr, meat color L*, AbFW, and AbFP, were differentially expressed between the High and Low phenotypic groups. These genes are, therefore, prospective candidate genes for meat quality traits: protein tyrosine kinase (TYRO3) and microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) for IMFBr; collagen, type I, alpha 2 (COL1A2) for meat color L*; and RET proto-oncogene (RET), natriuretic peptide B (NPPB) and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1) for the abdominal fat (AbF) traits.ConclusionsBased on the association signals and differential expression of nearby genes, 14 candidate loci and genes for IMFBr, meat L* and b* values, and AbF are identified. The results provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying meat quality traits in chickens.

Housing system affects broiler characteristics of local Chinese breed reciprocal crosses

Artificial selection in closed populations can fix or differentiate alternative alleles of loci associated with selected traits. Two closed chicken populations, A and B, originating from Jiuwu, a Chinese native breed, were bred for more than 10 generations. We compared progeny from reciprocal crosses (AB and BA) under free range (trial 1) and cage and pen (trial 2) systems. Traits measured included feed conversion, live BW, subcutaneous fat thickness, percentages of carcass, semi-eviscerated carcass, eviscerated carcass, breast muscle (pectoralis major and minor), leg muscle (boneless drum and thigh), heart, gizzard, proventriculus, liver, comb, and abdominal fat, plus moisture and fat content in breast muscle at 91 d. In trial 1, there were no significant differences between crosses for any trait except percentage proventriculus (AB > BA). Males were significantly heavier with greater proportions of semi-eviscerated carcass, leg muscle, heart, and comb than females, whereas females had thicker subcutaneous fat and higher percentage abdominal fat, breast muscle, gizzard, and proventriculus than males. In trial 2, chickens raised in cages were significantly heavier, had superior feed efficiency, thicker subcutaneous fat, higher fat content and percentage abdominal fat, carcass, semi-eviscerated carcass, liver, and comb than those reared in pens. Those reared in pens exhibited significantly greater proportions of breast muscle, gizzard, and proventriculus than those raised in cages. The only significant 2-way interaction was cross × sex for percentage semi-eviscerated and eviscerated carcass, because BA males were greater than other combinations. Interactions of cross × sex × housing system for percentage liver and abdominal fat were significant; cage-reared AB females displayed higher percentages than pen-reared BA males. Results implied that subpopulations should be considered rather than a single larger population as a way to reduce loss of genetic variation in local and heritage stocks. Although performance of reciprocal crosses was similar across housing systems, caging during the finishing stage of a slow-growing breed enhanced feed efficiency, BW, and meat composition.

Effects of dietary lipids and Clostridium butyricum on serum lipids and lipid-related gene expression in broiler chickens

The effect of dietary lipids and Clostridium butyricum supplementation on circulating lipids and the transcription of selected genes involved in lipid metabolism were investigated in broiler chickens. One hundred and sixty-day-old broilers (Arbor Acres) were divided into four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement and fed four diets with two lipid sources (soybean oil or fish oil) and two levels of C. butyricum (0 or 5 g/kg) for a period of 6 weeks. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower (P < 0.05) in broilers fed diets containing fish oil than in those fed diets containing soybean oil. Fish oil significantly reduced (P < 0.05) hepatic fatty acid synthase and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities in abdominal fat. In contrast, fish oil significantly increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle LPL activity and hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and LPL gene expression. The addition of C. butyricum significantly increased (P < 0.05) LPL activity in abdominal fat and liver-type fatty acid-binding protein gene expression in jejunal mucosa. The results of this study indicated that the reduced abdominal fat in broilers fed fish oil as observed may be due to augmented hepatic fatty acid catabolism and lower hepatic fat synthesis. The increased intramuscular fat content in breast muscle of broilers fed C. butyricum as described may be the result of enhanced fatty acid uptake.

Cooked and Organoleptic Characteristics of Scaleless Broiler Chickens , ,

Eight-week old broilers which were phenotypically scaleless (sc/sc) and feathered (Sc+/sc), and which had been raised at both 22.2 C and 34.4 C were compared for cooked and organoleptic measurements. The seven cooked chicken measurements were breast and thigh moisture and fat content, carcass cooking loss, and breast muscle and thigh skin shear test. There were no sex differences in any measurements, and temperature only affected fat content of breast muscle causing an increase in the hot room. Significant phenotype differences were evident in all traits except moisture content. Scaleless birds had less fat in both breast (56.8%) and thigh muscle (19.2%), reduced cooking losses (17.5%), and were more tender in both breast muscle (52.4%) and thigh skin (60.9%).A paired comparison preference test was used for organoleptic measurements using a taste panel of 35 tasters. A significant portion of the tasters were able to perceive a difference in both breast (100%) and thigh (85.7%) muscle. No significant differences were noted for moistness, texture or flavorfulness of thigh muscle however, but a significant 74.3% felt that breast muscle from scaleless broilers was more moist and 71.4% felt it had a smoother texture. No difference in flavorfulness was noted.