Linear Body Measurements Research Articles

Exploration of the body\u2013garment relationship theory through the analysis of a sheath dress

The apparel industry is replete with assumptions regarding the body-garment relationship. Traditional anthropometry focuses on linear body measurements, which are inadequate to describe and classify the human body-form for apparel pattern development. To enable the development of a body-form based block system, this case study explored the body-garment relationship for a sheath dress to determine if apparel block shapes could be categorized based on distinct body-form variations. A modified version of Gazzuolo’s (1985) body-garment relationship theory guided the development and analysis of the study. Pattern blocks were fit to 39 female subjects, with 16 dimensions extracted from specific pattern components and graphed to reveal between one and five groups per dimension. Visual analysis of the sample’s body scans revealed 27 body-form variations with 99 categorical descriptions. Categorical descriptions were compared to the dimensional values resulting in ten suggestions for a body-form based block system, and seventeen assumptions that require further analysis. In conclusion, this case study discovered multiple body-form variations across a single size, but block shapes could not be identified due to the wide variation in the sample. Future studies should assess a statistically significant sample of individuals with in-depth analysis of a single body region to determine if there are generalizable body-form variations across the population.

Growth of beef cattle as prediction for meat production: A review

Growth of beef cattle as prediction for meat production: A review

Breeding practices and trait preferences of smallholder farmers for indigenous sheep in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia: Inputs to design a breeding program.

The aim of this study was to identify breeding practices and trait preferences for indigenous sheep in three districts (Estie, Farta and Lay Gayient) located in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia. Questionnaire survey and choice experiment methods were used to collect data from 370 smallholder farmers. Respondents were selected randomly among smallholder farmers who own sheep in the aforementioned districts. A generalized multinomial logit model was employed to examine preferences for sheep attributes, while descriptive statistics and index values were computed to describe sheep breeding practices. Having the highest index value of 0.36, income generation was ranked as the primary reason for keeping sheep, followed by meat and manure sources. The average flock size per smallholder farmer was 10.21 sheep. The majority of the smallholder farmers (91%) have the experience of selecting breeding rams and ewes within their own flock using diverse criteria. Given the highest index value of 0.34, body size was ranked as a primary ram and ewe selection criteria, followed by coat color. Furthermore, choice modeling results revealed that tail type, body size, coat color, growth rate, horn and ear size have shown significant influences on smallholder farmers' preference for breeding rams (P<0.01). The part-worth utility coefficients were positive for all ram attributes except ear size. For breeding ewes, mothering ability, coat color, body size, lambing interval, growth rate, tail type and litter size have shown significant effects on choice preferences of smallholder farmers (P<0.05). Moreover, significant scale heterogeneity was observed among respondents for ewe attributes (P<0.001). Overall, the results implied that sheep breeding objectives suitable for the northwest highlands of the country can be derived from traits such as linear body measurement, weight and survival at different ages, and lambing intervals. However, selection decisions at the smallholder level should not only be based on estimated breeding values of traits included in the breeding objective but instead, incorporate ways to address farmers' preference for qualitative traits.

Growth and Development Patterns of the Skeleton in Simmental and Cross Young Beef Bulls

The age-related carcass-morphology and composition changes and the growth and development patterns of the axial and peripheral skeleton systems and the bones composing them in the Simmental and crossbred young beef bulls have been studied. In order to carry out the survey, the young bulls were divided into three groups of 15 animals each. The first (control) group included the purebred Simmental young bulls. The second (experimental) group was formed of the halfbred and crossbred young stock produced by crossbreeding between the Simmental cows and the Simmental beef bulls of German selection. The third (experimental) group was composed of the crosses of Simmental cows with Charolais bulls. The Charolais crosses had more energy for growth. Thus, their liveweights comprised 431.9, 523.4, and 620.6 kg at the ages of 12, 15, and 18 months, respectively, which were 7.8, 7.5, and 10.2% more than that in their peers of the maternal breed. The crossbred young stock in both groups was distinct for carcass morphology and composition, reaching a more advanced level of the carcass flesh-coverage mass in all the age intervals when compared that to the purebred Simmentals. The age-related changes in the absolute and relative masses of the young-bull carcass bones are caused by different intensities specific to bone growth in the axial and peripheral skeleton systems. For instance, the intensity of bone growth in the axial skeleton system tended to increase in the postnatal period, while the bone growth rates of the peripheral skeleton system decreased. Irregularity in developing the indicated skeleton systems is caused by different intensities specific to growth of certain bones and their complexes. The highest growth rate is usually typical for ribs and the vertebral column, while the slowest growth rate is most common for extremitas thoracica and extremas pelvina. The bone growth rates for the limb proximal structures generally exceed that for the distal bone structures. The age-related differences in the growth rates of certain skeleton structures can cause some changes in ratios between the linear body measurements of the young bulls.

Linear body measurements and productivity of subtropical Holstein-Friesian dairy calves.

The study aimed to describe growth parameters and to quantify the association between linear body measurements as predictors of liveweight (LW) of Holstein-Friesian (HF), and HF crossbred dairy calves in Queensland. A secondary objective was to quantify the effect of disease events on LW change. Longitudinal study. Fortnightly LW, hip height (HH), hip width (HW) and heart girth (HG) measurements were recorded from 16 male and 28 female HF calves from birth until weaning. The association between linear body measurement and the effect of a disease event on LW change were explored using linear mixed-effects modelling with random intercepts and random slopes. HG was the best body measure used individually as a predictor of calf LW (R2 = 82%; P < 0.001), while the combined use of HG, HW and HH was the most accurate predictor of calf LW between birth and weaning (R2 = 90%; P < 0.001). HW, average feed intake and total feed intake were significantly affected by disease events (P < 0.05). On average, total average LW loss associated with a single pneumonia event was estimated at 14.6 kg (95% CI = 10.5 to 18.7 kg; P < 0.05). Calves of this study performed at a level consistent with the previously published reports. Growth performance was significantly compromised by pneumonia. HW was found to be the least predictive individual measure, and the combined use of HH, HW and HG had the most accurate prediction of calf liveweight from birth to weaning.

Morphometric Characterization of Indigenous Goats in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in HuletEjuEnesie, GonchaSisoEnesie and EnbseSarMidir districts of East Gojjam Zone with the aim to Morphometric characterize indigenous goat populations.A total of 600 goats were sampled randomly for phenotypic characterization. The most dominant coat color pattern in the sampled populations wasplain and patchy with the most frequently observed coat color type being light red, white with red and white. Sex of animal had significant effect on all of the body measurements, except ear length, chest depth, and rump length and width. EnbseSarMidir district had significantly higher body measurement values than other districts. Dentition had significant differences on body weight and most of the linear body measurements. Correlations among body weight and linear body measurements were positive for both sexes. The result of the multiple regression analysis showed that heart girth explained more variation than any other linear body measurements in both does (71%) and bucks (82%). The prediction of body weight could be based on regression equation BW = -37.93 + 0.92CG for female sample population and BW= -44.47 + 1.02CG for male sample goat population. To sustainably utilize these goat population the production constrains should be solved and selective community-based breeding strategies should be designed and implemented . Keywords: Body weight, Indigenous, Linear Body Measurement, Morphometric Characterization. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/79-01 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Phenotypic Correlation of Body Weight and Linear Body Measurements in Muscovy (Cairinia Moschata) and Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos) Ducks

Data on body weight and linear body measurements (LBMs) namely body height (BH), body length (BL), breast circumference (BC), thigh length (TL), bill length (BiL), wing length (WL) and shank length (SL) were taken from 120 ducks (i. e. 60 Muscovy and 60 Mallard ducks) at 4 and 8 weeks of age were analysed to obtain the phenotypic correlation between LBMs and body weight. The value of the pearson’s linear correlation coefficient to determine the level of relationship between the body weight and linear body measurement. This ranged from 0.488 (SL) – 0.996 (BH) and (0.729 (SL) – 0.996 (Bil) in Muscovy and Mallard duck at week 4 respectively. While, at week 8, the value of the pearson’s linear correlation coefficient ranges from 0.126 (Bil) – 0.960 (BL) and 0.735(BC) – 0.978 (BH) respectively. This positive and mostly significantly phenotypic relationship between the body weight and linear body measurements indicates that an improvement in one trait could leads to an improvement in the other. Correlation coefficients indicate the strength of a linear relation between traits and thus provide useful information about the traits involved for the purpose of breeding and improvement plan. This shows that favourable relationships exist among traits that have higher correlation coefficients, it further explains that such traits could be collectively included in the selection index to achieve positive phenotypic progress.

Characteristics of smallholders\u2019 goat production systems and effect of Boer crossbreeding on body measurements of goats in Burundi

As part of a national action plan to manage animal genetic resources in Burundi, we characterized smallholders’ goat production systems and assessed the effect of Boer crossbreeding on animal body measures. To that end, 319 farmers were surveyed in the five agro-ecological zones of Burundi and the zootechnical measures of 939 adult goats were taken. Cluster analysis of the goat production systems resulted into two opposed groups and one intermediate. On the one hand, there are the dry lowlands systems characterized by large herds composed mainly of indigenous animals grazing freely, and having high market characteristics. On the other hand, there are the humid highlands systems characterized by small herds composed of indigenous and crossbred animals in stall feeding or herding/tethering systems, and by low market characteristics. Fixed effect linear models were used to evaluate the effect of Boer crossbreeding on body weights and linear body measures, after adjustment for age, sex, grazing systems and agro-ecological zones. Results showed that least square means for body weights of adult Boer crossbreds were 4.74 kg higher than those of indigenous goats, which was lower than expected. Least square means for linear body measures of Boer crossbreds were significantly higher than those of indigenous breeds: differences in chest girth, body length and height at withers were 4.88 cm, 5.59 cm and 4.82 cm, respectively. Goats were heavier and greater in linear measures in lowlands than in highlands. The advantages and issues of a selection programme within indigenous breeds are discussed as an alternative to the crossbreeding programme.

Prediction of Body Weight From Linear Body Measurements in Kashmir Merino Sheep

Prediction of Body Weight From Linear Body Measurements in Kashmir Merino Sheep

Morphological Indices and Carcass Measurements of Indigenous Breeds of Rams Intensively Fattened

Growth rate assessment is an important husbandry practice often carried out in livestock breeding and fattening. Meat production is the most important trait in the breeding objectives of sheep production. Useful information on the suitability of the animals for meat production could be evaluated on a morphological basis. The aim of this study was to investigate breed differences in liveweight, carcass traits and muscle distribution for meat characteristics among Balami (BA), Uda (UD), Yankasa (YK) and West African Dwarf rams (WAD). A total of forty-eight rams were randomly assigned into four groups of twelve rams per breed in a completely randomized design. Body linear measurements were obtained weekly during the fattening period. At the end of the feeding trial, animals were subjected to an 18-hours fast and slaughtered for carcass measurements and muscle distribution. Results showed that BA and UD had higher values for body length (115.75±4.25 and110.25±1.89cm), withers height (70.50±5.57and69.00±2.16cm) and heartgirth (92.00±2.94and84.00±1.41cm), than YK (96.50±3.87, 60.75±3.30 and 76.75±0.96cm), respectively which in turn had higher values than WAD (86.50±5.20, 53.25±5.32 and 75.25±3.30cm). Carcass length, pistol length, and leg length were75.75±4.79,60.75±7.14 and 88.00±2.16; 75.50±4.66, 56.00±5.00 and 80.25±5.80; 59.00±7.79, 56.00±10.62 and 71.50±2.65; 60.50±3.11, 53.75±5.91 and 61.00±2.94cm for BA, UD, YK and WAD rams, respectively. BA and UD had higher proportion of muscle distribution and were generally better than the YK and WAD breeds. This may boost their potential for large scale meat production under fattening conditions.

Morphometrical Characterization and Structural Indices of Indigenous Goats Reared in Two Production Systems in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted with the aim of morphometrical characterization and structural indices to assess type and function of indigenous goats reared in two production system in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia. The study encompassed both qualitative and quantitative parameters which were taken from 780 head of adult goats of both sexes from age 1PPI to 4PPI. Age was estimated by dentition. The qualitative traits were assessed visually and recorded while; quantitative traits were assessed using self-devised equipment. Thirteen morphometrical measurements were taken per goat and from which also indices were calculated. Data collected by visual observation and linear measurements were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version, 20) and the value was considered significance at P<0.05 and P<0.01. The qualitative data were assessed by chi–square test. The observed coat color patterns in studied area for both sexes across the districts were plain. Most frequently observed coat color type from sampled goats at Aroresa district were brown and black while, most frequently observed coat color type at Lokabaya district were white. The results of morphometrical measurements indicated that Does age group of 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 reared at Aroresa district had higher value for most measured traits. Bucks age group 1 and 2 reared at Lokabaya district had higher value for their body length, chest girth, rump length, horn length, body weight, rump height and chest depth except rump width, face length and head width which is higher for the Buck in age group 1 and 2 reared at Aroresa district. The Bucks reared at Lokabaya district had higher values for their neck circumference and body weight while, the Bucks reared at Aroresa district had higher value for their head width. In generally, most morphometric traits were different between the goats reared in the studied districts and these variations indicate the possibilities for selection between the goats in the areas. The regression was done to regress body weight from linear body measurements for different age and sex groups separately. As a result from multiple regressions, chest girth, body length, chest depth and neck circumference were the best fitted models to predict body weight for different age and sex groups separately.

An Investigation of Polymorphism in &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;SMO&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;LMF&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;1 Genes and Their Association with Body Size in White Fulani and Muturu Cattle Breeds

Cattle production is integral to the people of Africa and her economy. To improve cattle productivity, there is a need to inculcate molecular marker-assisted selection into current breeding practices. In this study, we investigated, in White Fulani and Muturu cattle breeds, polymorphism of two candidate genes (Smoothened—SMO and Lipase Maturation Factor 1—LMF1) that have been reported to influence body size in cattle. The SMO gene encodes for the SMO (smoothened) receptor protein; a membrane signal transducer that plays a role in the control of bone formation and adipogenesis. LMF1 encodes for the LMF1 protein which regulates post-translational maturation of vascular lipases. Desired regions of the genes were amplified and genotyped by direct DNA sequencing or Polymerase chain reaction—Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. For association study, linear body measurements traits (BMTs) that can be used to predict body size were measured on each animal and values of BMTs measured were compared between both breeds. Very significant (P SMO while LMF1 was monomorphic at the expected (T > C) exon 4 mutation site. Association analysis revealed that polymorphism on G21234C, C22424T, T22939C and T23458G loci significantly affected BMTs (P SMO gene could be a useful candidate gene to facilitate marker assisted selection for body size while LMF1 is monomorphic in the cattle breeds.

English

Phenotypic characterization is used to identify and document diversity within and between distinct breeds, based on their observable attributes. Study to assess the body characteristics and variability of 204 Djallonke (West African dwarf) ewes was conducted in three agro-ecological zones (central, western and northern) of Cote d’Ivoire, from November 2016 to April 2017. Animals were described using visual appreciation of the body hair coat (colour type and pattern), hair length, ear orientation, tail type and the facial (head) profile. The linear body measurements, such as ear and tail length, muzzle length and width, height at wither, chest depth, and chest girth were also described. The data collected were subjected to principal component (PCA) and discriminant analysis. Results showed that the most common Djallonke ewes had erected ear (87.25%), thin tail and straight face. The dominant colour pattern of the body hair coat was patchy (64.22%) followed by plain (32.84%) and spotted (2.94%). The agro-ecological zone had a significant (pE‚0.01) effect on some linear body measurements (muzzle length, ear length and height wither). Based on PCA performed with all the above morphological variabilities, we were able to segregate the Djallonke ewes’ into three clusters (I, II and III). Discriminant analysis revealed that 76.27% sheep of cluster I, 92.80% sheep of cluster II and 90% sheep of cluster III were correctly classified in their original cluster. This result indicated that Ivorian Djallonke sheep population comprises of three well characterized morphological types of animals. This information could constitute a basis for further characterization and development of conservation strategies for Djallonke sheep breeding in Cote d’Ivoire. Key words: Local, sheep, breed, morphological, variability, West Africa.

Breeding objectives and practices in three local cattle breed production systems in Burkina Faso with implication for the design of breeding programs

Understanding characteristics of production systems and identification of specific preferred traits related to breeding objectives is a first important step to the successful implementation of any breeding program. This study was conducted in the South West of Burkina Faso, the traditional habitat of trypanotolerant Baoulé cattle, to identify farmers’ trait preferences and breeding practices. Following a synthesis of information from stakeholders, a structural questionnaire was designed and administered to 194 heads of households. Cattle herd structure was investigated via herd survey on 101 farms to record breed, age, status, weight and linear body measurements of animals. Own herd ranking method was used in addition to identify the most important criteria for selecting breeding cows. The importance of each criterion was estimated by computing the index of ranking. Regarding breeds and herd mobility, sedentary pure Baoulé, sedentary mixed breed, and transhumant Zebu and crossbred systems were defined. Average cattle herd size was 51.23±55.72 heads and was significantly (P˂0.05) highest in the transhumant Zebu and crossbred system. Herd structure showed that cows were the most frequent age-sex-class in all the production systems. A high proportion of all farmers reported purposefully selecting their breeding animals but only 36.67% of them in pure Baoulé system select their breeding females. Breeding bulls were selected from young males in the own herd and they were selected significantly (P˂0.05) later in pure Baoulé system. The majority of transhumant farmers reported castration of not selected males while only 33% of farmers in pure Baoulé system reported that. The most important common criteria for selection among the production systems were adult size for both males and females, including calf growth for females. Production systems were heterogeneous on the other preferred traits. Based on these findings, implementation of breeding programs involving farmers and their specific characteristics and practices can contribute to improve and conserve local cattle breeds in this area. Community-based breeding programs for pure Baoulé and crossbreds aiming to improve body size and trypanotolerance are being implemented.

Sexual dimorphism in Belostoma angustum Lauck (Insecta: Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) may be related to paternal care

Abstract The structures involved in parental care are often dimorphic. Female Belostoma angustum water bugs lay eggs on the hemelytra of their mates, where the eggs are brooded until hatching. Males use their hind legs to carry, aerate and protect the eggs. After controlling for covariance between variables, we fitted a series of structural equation models (SEMs) and evaluated the existence of sexual dimorphism in the size of the body and hind legs, in the shape and centroid size of the hemelytrum, and among the static allometry slopes of the size-related differences. Landmarks were used to capture phenotypic variation, by eliminating all non-shape variations with a Procrustes superimposition. Neither the shape of the hemelytrum nor its centroid size was related significantly to the aforementioned linear body measurements. Instead, the differences in the size of the hind legs were mediated by body dimensions only in males. We also found that males were wider and had longer heads than females, according to the SEM intercept values. Our findings suggest that sexual dimorphism in B. angustum may be related to a balance between sexual role reversal and viability costs.

Effect of bypass fat on growth and body condition score of male Beetal goats during summer

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of feeding rumen bypass fat on the growth of male Beetal goats. Twenty-seven male kids with an average bodyweight of 34 ± 1.8 kg (mean ± SD) and aged 12 to 15 months were randomly divided into three treatment groups under a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of : i) CON, basal diet without added fat (basal diet of chopped sorghum with 0.75 kg concentrate per animal); ii) MF, basal diet with added fat at 2.5% of dry matter in concentrate (Energizer-RP10, Scothorn Nutrition, Malaysia); and iii) HF, basal diet with added fat at 5% of dry matter in concentrate. Dry matter intake (DMI) and faecal score were recorded daily. Live bodyweight was recorded fortnightly. Linear body measurements, which included wither height (WH), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), and body condition scores (BCS), were recorded monthly. The results indicated that the addition of bypass fat in concentrate did not affect DMI linearly. However, a quadratic trend of DMI was observed in response to fat addition (P &lt;0.1). The average daily gain was similar for CON, MF, and HF treatment groups (P &gt;0.05). Moreover, the addition of bypass fat did not affect the BCS, WH, HG, and BL. The HF group had a higher faecal score than the CON and MF groups (P &lt;0.05). The current findings conclude that the addition of bypass fat in diets did not improve the growth performance of yearling Beetal male goats.Keywords: average daily gain, body measurements, supplemental fat

Effects of immunocastration performed at two live weights on the growth physiology, temperament and testicular development of feral beef bulls.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of administering an anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine (Improvac® , developed for pigs) on the performance, temperament, testicular development, and hormone and metabolite profiles of feral bulls (Bos taurus) vaccinated at two different live weights (LW). In all, 16 Serrana de Teruel animals were involved in this 2x2 factorial design using the factors LW (LIGHT vs. HEAVY) and vaccine treatment (control, C vs. vaccinated, VA). All animals received the same diet (ad libitum concentrate plus straw) over a 164-day fattening period. Temperament was assessed using chute and flight speed tests. Testicular diameter and subcutaneous fat thickness were recorded. Testosterone, IGF-1, urea, NEFA, and creatinine profiles were analyzed. Bull weight gain was reduced in VA compared to C animals, regardless of the initial LW. The vaccine did not affect the temperament tests, subcutaneous fat thickness or NEFA and creatinine concentrations and had minor effects on linear body measures. The vaccine inhibited testicular growth, reduced plasma testosterone to residual levels, and increased urea concentrations. LIGHT-C animals exhibited increased mean plasma IGF-1 concentrations compared to LIGHT-VA animals. In conclusion, vaccination reduced bull growth and sexual development irrespective of LW at immunization.

Growth performance of broiler chickens fed maize offal and crayfish-waste based diets

This study was conducted to evaluate the value of maize offal and cray fish waste meals as the main energy and protein sources respectively in broiler chicken diets. One hundred and twenty day-old Lohmann Brown broiler chicks were randomly allotted into two treatment groups of three replicates of 60 and 20 birds, respectively. Maize offal and crayfish waste meals were used to replace maize and soybean/fishmeal, respectively in the control diet (T1 ) to form (T2 ). Growth parameters monitored were final live weight, daily weight gain, feed 2 conversion ratio, internal and external body linear measurements were evaluated were statistically analysed using the studentized t-test at 5% and 1% probability. Results showed significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher values in all the parameters apart from feed intake for birds on the control diet. The final live weight of birds on the test diet (T2 ) only reached that of the control at 10 weeks of age. The phenotypic correlation of body weight and linear body measurements for birds on both the control and test treatment diets were high and positively significant (P&lt;0.01). However, birds on the control diet had the longest body parts than those of the test diet, likewise the internal body parts. When expressed based on percentage body weight, birds on the test diet tended to have longer external and internal body parts. It is concluded that if maize offal and crayfish waste are to be used as total replacement for maize, soybean and fishmeal, the period of broiler production should be extended from 8 weeks to 10 weeks for birds to reach market weight and with attendance lower cost of production.

Studies on linear body measurements of Red Kandhari calves in their breeding tract of Maharashtra

The body measurements and body weight of Red Kandhari calves at various stages of growth were studied for both male and female at different locations in the breeding tract. The idea is to obtain the real picture of the breed in the breeding tract. The body measurements play an important role in judging calves and often help in predicting probable value of the calves. Body length and height at withers are the measures of bone growth while chest girth is a measure of development of muscles, bones and fat and it has close relationship with the live weight.

The Effect of the Slaughter Weight on Carcass Composition, Body Measurements and Veal Quality of Holstein Calves

The aim of this study was to investigate the growth, fattening characteristics and veal quality of MLT from Holstein calves (total number of 40 heads) produced from 4 slaughter weight groups (130, 150, 180 and 210 kg). Calves were fed in the same conditions. Average daily gains ranged from 660 g in slaughter weight 130 kg to 840 g in weight 210 kg (P &lt; 0.001). The most important changes of linear body measurements were revealed in hip height and withers height (P &lt; 0.001). Slaughter weight had strong impact on average daily gain and most of body measurements (P &lt; 0.01). Slaughter weight influenced proportion of kidney, rumen and intestinal fat, while highest proportion was found in the group of 180 kg (P &lt; 0.001). Calves of slaughter weight 180 kg had lowest proportion of bones (P &lt; 0.001) and highest proportion of meat (P &lt; 0.001) from right – half carcass. Highest proportion of separable fat had calves of 210 kg as well as 150 kg. In terms of nutritional quality of veal, we found significant and high individual differences in intramuscular fat content (P &lt; 0.01) as well as between monitored groups. The lightness of the meat was highest in the group of 180 kg (P &lt; 0.05). Protein content of the loin muscle had negative impact on intramuscular and moisture content (P &lt; 0.001). Parameter pH strongly positively influenced drip loss value and negatively electrical conductivity.