Loin Eye Muscle Research Articles

PSIX-27 Ultrasound scanning of carcass traits in Katahdin lambs for predictive breeding value and marketing premium

Abstract Ultrasound scanning (USS) technique has been routinely used in performance testing of meat animals, such as swine and beef cattle. This study is to evaluate USS application in organic lamb production, selection, and the accuracy of carcass traits and market value prediction. Ewes (n = 60) were bred, pregnancy diagnosed at 40 d post-mating, and their suckling lambs were assigned to two groups, a non-creep feeding (control) and creep feeding (treatment) group. Each group was balanced with sexes and litter size when allocated into groups at 30-d of age. All lambs had unrestricted suckled their dams during pasture grazing or grazing with creep feeding supplementation until weaning. There were 28 control and 32 treatment group lambs presented at weaning 90 d of age. Lambs were continued to graze as two groups on fescue-based pasture or grazing with creep feeding supplementation till marketing at 120 d. Weaning body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and post-weaning growth weight were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than control 24.0 kg, 226 g/d, and 28.0 kg for treatment group compared with control group at 21.3 kg, 196 g/d, and 25.3 kg, respectively. However, AGD was not significantly increased during the post-weaning creep supplementary feeding period. The ultrasound scanned carcass traits increase in creep feeding over control lambs at weaning and post-weaning measurements (Figure 1). The average ultrasound scanned back fat depth, loineye muscle depth, muscle width, and loineye muscle area were 2.2 mm, 17.9 mm, 45.6 mm and 5.8 cm2 at weaning age of 90 d; and 2.6 mm, 20.9 mm, 48.0 mm, and 7.0 cm2 at 120 d, respectively. The correlative associations (Table 1) between carcass traits and lamb BW, such as loineye muscle depth (LED), loineye muscle width (LEW), loineye muscle depth (LED) and loineye muscle area (LEA), and LEA were significantly improved (P < 0.05) with increased BW. However, there was no difference in these traits due to treatment except backfat depth, which was significantly higher for treatment and females. Creep supplementary feeding lambs during pre-weaning has increased ADG and weaning weight; therefore, will enhance market values of organically raised lambs. The results indicate that USS technique is worthy of application in meat lamb selection, post-weaning performance and market premium prediction.

Secondary bile acids are associated with body lipid accumulation in obese pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons for the differences in lipid accumulation between lean and obese pigs. The bile acids with varying levels within two types of pigs were found and then in vitro experiments were conducted to identify whether these bile acids can directly affect lipid accumulation. Fourteen pigs, including seven lean and seven obese pigs with body weights of approximately 80 kg, were fed the same diet at an amount approximately equivalent to 3% of their respective body weights daily for 42 d. In vitro, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in medium with high glucose levels and were differentiated into mature adipocytes using differentiation medium. Then, bile acids were added to mature adipocytes for 4 d. The results showed that there was a difference in body lipids levels and gut microbiota composition between obese and lean pigs (P < 0.05). According to the results of gut microbial function prediction, the bile acid biosynthesis in colonic digesta of obese pigs were different from that in lean pig. Sixty-five bile acids were further screened by metabolomics, of which 4 were upregulated (P < 0.05) and 2 were downregulated (P < 0.05) in obese pigs compared to lean pigs. The results of the correlation analysis demonstrated that chenodeoxycholic acid-3-β-D-glucuronide (CDCA-3Gln) and ω-muricholic acid (ω-MCA) had a negative correlation with abdominal fat weight and abdominal fat rate, while isoallolithocholic acid (IALCA) was positively associated with crude fat in the liver and abdominal fat rate. There was a positive correlation between loin muscle area and CDCA-3Gln and ω-MCA (P < 0.05), however, IALCA and 3-oxodeoxycholic acid (3-oxo-DCA) were negatively associated with loin eye muscle area (P < 0.05). Isoallolithocholic acid increased the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) and the number of lipid droplets (P < 0.05), promoting the lipid storage when IALCA was added to 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes in vitro. In conclusion, the concentration of bile acids, especially gut microbiota related-secondary bile acids, in obese pigs was different from that in lean pigs, which may contribute to lipid accumulation within obese pigs.

Effects of Fermented Navel Orange Pulp on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, Meat Nutritional Value, and Serum Biochemical Indicators of Finishing Tibetan Pigs.

In order to cope with the limited supply of feed for global animal production, there is a pressing need to explore alternative feed resources. Orange pulp, a by-product of agriculture and industry, has shown potential to positively or neutrally impact pig productive performance when included in their diet. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of fermented navel orange pulp (FNOP) on pig growth and productive performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FNOP as a dry matter substitute on pig's growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, meat nutritional value, and serum biochemical indicators. The experiment involved 128 finishing Tibetan pigs, divided into four feed treatment groups, with varying levels (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) of FNOP replacing dry matter in the basal diet. The results indicate that substituting 5% to 15% FNOP had no adverse effects on pig growth performance. However, at a 15% substitution rate, there was a decrease in serum growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, along with an increase in the feed-to-gain ratio. A 10% FNOP replacement notably increased the loin-eye muscle area of pigs. Additionally, 5% and 10% FNOP substitutions reduced the drip loss of pork. The study also found that substituting 5% to 15% FNOP increased unsaturated fatty acids and umami nucleotide contents in pork and raised serum total protein and uric acid (nucleotide-metabolism-related product) levels. These findings suggest that moderate FNOP substitution might improve meat quality, nutritional value, and maintain growth and productive performance in Tibetan pigs by improving protein synthesis and nucleotide metabolism, while also reducing feed costs. The optimal substitution ratio identified was 10%.

Selecting an appropriate statistical model for estimating genetic parameters: A case study of pig maternal breeds in Czechia

A three-trait statistical model was designed for backfat thickness (BFT) and loin eye muscle depth (LMD) with accompanying variable average daily gain (ADG). Data from 82,507 Czech Large White and 37,556 Czech Landrace pigs were collected during on-farm performance testing from 2013 to 2022. Several animal models were tested with different combinations of effects and complexity. Model performance was evaluated by the linear regression (LR) method and predictivity. In Czech Large White, the preferred model comprised fixed effects of sex, birth year, herd, and ultrasound device, as well as random effects of herd-year-season (HYS), litter, and animal. In Czech Landrace, HYS was treated as fixed instead. The inclusion of maternal effects was not supported due to questionable impact on the main statistics. The selected model yielded mean absolute bias of 0.11 and 0.19, mean determination of 0.39 and 0.21, mean population accuracy of 0.36 and 0.31, and mean predictivity of 0.13 and 0.08 in Large White and Landrace, respectively. Heritability estimates were overall lower than those reported by other authors: 0.23, 0.10, and 0.10 in Large White and 0.26, 0.10, and 0.09 in Landrace for ADG, BFT, and LMD, respectively. Genetic correlations, on the other hand, reached relatively high values: 0.61, 0.61, and 0.66 in Large White and 0.71, 0.92, and 0.70 in Landrace for ADG-BFT, ADG-LMD, and BFT-LMD, respectively.

Diverse WGBS profiles of longissimus dorsi muscle in Hainan black goats and hybrid goats

BackgroundGoat products have played a crucial role in meeting the dietary demands of people since the Neolithic era, giving rise to a multitude of goat breeds globally with varying characteristics and meat qualities. The primary objective of this study is to pinpoint the pivotal genes and their functions responsible for regulating muscle fiber growth in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) through DNA methylation modifications in Hainan black goats and hybrid goats.MethodsWhole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was employed to scrutinize the impact of methylation on LDM growth. This was accomplished by comparing methylation differences, gene expression, and their associations with growth-related traits.ResultsIn this study, we identified a total of 3,269 genes from differentially methylated regions (DMR), and detected 189 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through RNA-seq analysis. Hypo DMR genes were primarily enriched in KEGG terms associated with muscle development, such as MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. We selected 11 hub genes from the network that intersected the gene sets within DMR and DEGs, and nine genes exhibited significant correlation with one or more of the three LDM growth traits, namely area, height, and weight of loin eye muscle. Particularly, PRKG1 demonstrated a negative correlation with all three traits. The top five most crucial genes played vital roles in muscle fiber growth: FOXO3 safeguarded the myofiber’s immune environment, FOXO6 was involved in myotube development and differentiation, and PRKG1 facilitated vasodilatation to release more glucose. This, in turn, accelerated the transfer of glucose from blood vessels to myofibers, regulated by ADCY5 and AKT2, ultimately ensuring glycogen storage and energy provision in muscle fibers.ConclusionThis study delved into the diverse methylation modifications affecting critical genes, which collectively contribute to the maintenance of glycogen storage around myofibers, ultimately supporting muscle fiber growth.

Loin Eye Muscle Ultrasonic Measurements, Live Weight and Some Body Measurements in Yalova Kıvırcık Lambs

Objective: This study was carried out to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters of the loin eye muscle characteristics, live weight and some body measurements in the marketing period of Yalova Kıvırcık lambs, and the relationships between them. Material and Methods: The research animal material consisted of 308 Yalova Kıvırcık lambs in 9 different farms under extensive conditions in Yalova province of Türkiye. Results: Least square means for backfat thickness (BFT), skin thickness, muscle depth (MD), body length (BL), chest girth (CG), and live weight (LW) at the mean age of 112 days were 0.20 cm, 0.15 cm, 1.94 cm, 60.50 cm, 73.82 cm, and 29.26 kg, respectively. Results of statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between flocks in terms of MD, BFT, skin, BL, CG, and LW (P&amp;lt;0.001). The effect of gender was statistically significant on MD (P&amp;lt;0.05), BL (P&amp;lt;0.01), CG and LW (P&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion: As a result, it was found that the MLD measurements, the live weight, and some body measurements in Yalova Kıvırcık lambs were similar to those in Kıvırcık breed and in some indigenous sheep breeds in Türkiye. Keywords: Loin eye muscle, carcass, backfat thickness, ultrasonic measurement, Yalova Kıvırcık

Effects of fermented bamboo powder on growth performance, apparent digestibility, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs

The purpose of this experiment is to study the effects of fermented bamboo powder (FBP) on growth performance, apparent digestibility, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 72 barrows (initial body weight, 90.37 ± 0.73 kg) were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a 42 d trial, including a control (CON) diet and 3 FBP supplementation diets. In this experiment, the CON group was fed the basic diet, whereas, in the FBP group, wheat bran was replaced with different proportions of FBP, which were 2.5 % (FBP 2.5 %), 5.0 % (FBP 5 %), 10.0 % (FBP 10 %), respectively. The results showed that FBP of 2.5 % and 5 % had no negative effect on the performance of growing-finishing pigs (P > 0.05), FBP could increase the digestibility of feed, decrease the average backfat thickness, increase the loin eye muscle area, and make the meat color fresher (P < 0.05), more in line with Chinese consumers' buying habits. Adding 10 % FBP increased the feed-to-gain ratio; increased water holding capacity and drip loss of pork (P < 0.05) and decreased the content of intermuscular fat of pork (P < 0.05), thus decreasing the taste of pork. To sum up, FBP can be used as a feed raw material to replace part of the grain, and the recommended addition ratio is 5 %.

Effect of dietary arginine supplementation on protein synthesis, meat quality and flavor in growing lambs

This study aimed to assess the effect of dietary arginine supplementation on protein synthesis, meat quality and flavor in lambs. Eighteen Dorper (♂) × Small Tailed Han sheep (♀) crossed ewe lambs of similar weight (27.29 ± 2.02 kg; aged 3 months) were assigned to two groups, the control group was fed the basal diet (Con group), and the arginine group (Arg group) was supplemented with 1% l-arginine based on the Con group for 90 d. The results suggested that dietary arginine significantly increased final body weight, loin eye muscle area, muscle fiber diameter, cross-sectional area (P < 0.050), and decreased shear force value and cooking loss (P < 0.050), as well as altered the composition and contents of volatile flavor compounds in lambs. Importantly, the total protein (TP) content, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities in serum, branched-chain aminotransferase (BCAT), AST, ALT activities and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene expression and content were elevated (P < 0.050), while content of urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum and 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) were decreased in arginine fed lambs (P < 0.050). In addition, arginine triggered muscle protein synthesis through protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, while minimized protein degradation by regulating gene expression of myogenin (MyoG), myostatin (MSTN), muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and forkhead box O3 family (FoxO3) (P < 0.050). Taken together, this study suggested that arginine can be used to improve protein deposition and meat quality in lamb production.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4, Fatty Acid Synthase and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Genes Influence Carcass Characteristics of Tropical Crossbred Beef Steers

This study explored the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), and fatty acid synthase (FASN) genes that may influence the carcass traits of tropical crossbred beef cattle. The hypothesis tested was that SNP in the FABP4, SCD, and FASN genes are associated with chiller-assessed carcass traits of tropically adapted northern Australian crossbred beef cattle. Fifty Bos indicus and Bos taurus crossbred steers were backgrounded on either buffel grass only, or buffel grass and desmanthus mixed pastures for 147 days and finished in a commercial feedlot for 110 days. Steers were slaughtered within 48 h of leaving the feedlot within a lairage period not exceeding 12 h and carcasses graded 12 h after slaughter. Next-generation sequencing of the FASN, FABP4, and SCD genes identified multiple SNP loci that were correlated and significantly associated with carcass traits. The FABP4 g.44677205A&gt;G locus was significantly associated with hump height and correlated with loin eye muscle area (EMA; p &lt; 0.05). Polymorphism in the SCD gene g.21275851C&gt;A locus was associated with subcutaneous fat depth and marbling score (p &lt; 0.05). The CC genotype had a higher subcutaneous fat depth and marbling score (p &lt; 0.05) than the AA genotype. Significant correlations were observed between carcass marbling score and subcutaneous fat depth within the FASN SNP locus (p &lt; 0.05). Therefore, the hypothesis that SNP in the FABP4, SCD, and FASN genes are associated with chiller-assessed carcass traits of tropically adapted northern Australian crossbred beef cattle was accepted. These findings suggest that SNP in the FABP4, SCD, and FASN genes may be used in carcass grading and meat quality improvement through marker-assisted selection of northern Australian crossbred beef cattle.

Effects of dietary protein levels on production performance, meat quality and flavor of fattening pigs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein level on the production performance, slaughter performance, meat quality, and flavor of finishing pigs. Twenty-seven Duroc♂ × Bamei♀ binary cross-bred pigs (60.86 ± 2.52 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to three groups, each group has three replicates, and each replicate has three pigs. Three groups of finishing pigs were fed 16.0, 14.0, and 12.0% crude protein levels diets, and these low-protein diets were supplemented with four limiting amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan). The results showed that the pigs fed low-protein diets increased (P < 0.05) loin eye muscle area, and reduced (P < 0.05) heart weight, lung weight. The feed-weight ratio of the 14.0% protein group was reduced (P > 0.05); Dietary protein levels significantly affected the luminance (L24h), yellowness (b45min and b24h) (P < 0.05), reduced shear stress, muscle water loss, drip loss, the levels of crude fat (P < 0.05), and increased marbling score (P < 0.05) in the muscle of finishing pigs; The low-protein diets improved PUFA/TFA, PUFA/SFA (P > 0.05), and increased hexanal, E-2-heptenal, 1-octen-3-ol, EAA/TAA in the muscle of finishing pigs (P < 0.05); The results indicated that reduced the crude protein levels of dietary by 2.0–4.0%, and supplementation with four balanced limiting amino acids had no significant effects on the production performance and slaughter performance of finishing pigs, and could effectively improve meat quality and flavor.

Towards Sustainable Sources of Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Northern Australian Tropical Crossbred Beef Steers through Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Lipogenic Genes for Meat Eating Quality

This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in lipogenic genes of northern Australian tropically adapted crossbred beef cattle and to evaluate associations with healthy lipid traits of the Longissimus dorsi (loin eye) muscle. The hypothesis tested was that there are significant associations between SNP loci encoding for the fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) genes and human health beneficial omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 LC-PUFA) within the loin eye muscle of northern Australian crossbred beef cattle. Brahman, Charbray, and Droughtmaster crossbred steers were fed on Rhodes grass hay augmented with desmanthus, lucerne, or both, for 140 days and the loin eye muscle sampled for intramuscular fat (IMF), fat melting point (FMP), and fatty acid composition. Polymorphisms in FABP4, SCD, and FASN genes with significant effects on lipid traits were identified with next-generation sequencing. The GG genotype at the FABP4 g.44677239C&gt;G locus was associated with higher proportion of linoleic acid than the CC and CG genotypes (p &lt; 0.05). Multiple comparisons of genotypes at the SCD g.21266629G&gt;T locus indicated that the TT genotype had significantly higher eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids than GG genotype (p &lt; 0.05). Significant correlations (p &lt; 0.05) between FASN SNP and IMF, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were observed. These results provide insights into the contribution of lipogenic genes to intramuscular fat deposition and SNP marker-assisted selection for improvement of meat-eating quality, with emphasis on alternate and sustainable sources of ω3 LC-PUFA, in northern Australian tropical crossbred beef cattle, hence an acceptance of the tested hypothesis.

Lipid Metabolism, Carcass Characteristics and Longissimus dorsi Muscle Fatty Acid Composition of Tropical Crossbred Beef Cattle in Response to Desmanthus spp. Forage Backgrounding.

Lipid metabolism, carcass characteristics and fatty acid (FA) composition of the Longissimus dorsi (loin eye) muscle were evaluated in tropical crossbred steers backgrounded on Desmanthus spp. (desmanthus) with or without feedlot finishing. It was hypothesized that steers backgrounded on isonitrogenous diets augmented with incremental proportions of desmanthus will produce carcasses with similar characteristics and FA composition. Forty-eight Brahman, Charbray and Droughtmaster crossbred beef steers were backgrounded for 140 days on Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay augmented with 0, 15, 30 or 45 percent desmanthus on dry matter basis. Lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay was added to the 0, 15 and 30 percent desmanthus diets to ensure that they were isonitrogenous with the 45 percent desmanthus diet. After backgrounding, the two heaviest steers in each pen were slaughtered and the rest were finished in the feedlot for 95 days before slaughter. Muscle biopsy samples were taken at the beginning and end of the backgrounding phase. Carcasses were sampled at slaughter for intramuscular fat (IMF) content, fat melting point (FMP) and FA composition analyses. Increasing the proportion of desmanthus in the diet led to a linear increase in docosanoic acid (p = 0.04) and omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated FA ratio (n-6/n-3 PUFA; p = 0.01), while docosahexaenoic acid decreased linearly (p = 0.01). Feedlot finishing increased hot carcass weight, subcutaneous fat depth at the P8 site and dressing percentage (p ≤ 0.04). The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was within the recommended < 5 for human diets. IMF was within the consumer-preferred ≥3% level for palatability. The hypothesis that steers backgrounded on isonitrogenous diets augmented with incremental proportions of desmanthus will produce similar carcass characteristics and FA composition was accepted. These findings indicate that a combination of tropical beef cattle backgrounding on desmanthus augmented forage and short-term feedlot finishing produces healthy and highly palatable meat.

Copy number variation of amylase alpha 2B gene is associated with feed efficiency traits in Large White pigs

Copy number variation (CNV) of the AMY gene in humans has been enthusiastically studied for its association with starch digestibility and obesity. The alpha-amylase (AMY) is a major starch digestive enzyme in mammals. This study aimed to determine the association between CNV of the porcine pancreatic amylase (AMY2B) gene and feed efficiency. Improvement of feed efficiency in growing pigs is of great economic interest. We assayed the copy number of AMY2B by using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in a Large White pig population. We identified three genotypes for AMY2B CNVs, namely I/I (homozygotes of haplotype I; a chromosome with one copy of AMY2B), I/II (heterozygotes of haplotype I and II; a chromosome with two copies) and II/II (homozygotes of haplotype II). We tested the genotypes of the parental generation consisting of six males, 21 females and 265 offspring piglets to validate the AMY2B CNV genotyping. With very few mistyping exceptions, copy numbers of AMY2B were transmitted to piglets in segregation ratios following Mendelian inheritance. Finally, we performed an association analysis between the CNV of the AMY2B gene and feed efficiency traits in 207 uncastrated male pigs. The generalised linear model analysis showed the significant effects of AMY2B CNV genotype on average daily feed intake, total feed intake and feed conversion ratio during growth from 30 kg to 100 kg body weight. However, it was not associated with average daily gain, backfat thickness and loin eye muscle area. Individuals with the genotype I/I had about 76.6 ± 27.1 g lower average daily feed intake, 5.35 ± 1.90 kg lower total feed intake and 0.089 8 ± 0.026 5 lower feed conversion ratio than individuals with I/II and II/II genotypes. Thus, AMY2B CNV has the potential to be an effective genetic marker that could reduce feed costs for pig farming.

PSXI-27 Comparison of live weight, backfat depth, and loin eye muscle measurements in ewe and ram lambs

Abstract Application of ultrasound carcass trait scanning in meat animals enhances the selection efficiency and accuracy. One hundred and sixty-two mixed age Katahdin ewes were selected based on ultrasound carcass traits and bred in a high lean muscle selection (n=81) and control (n=81) flocks, respectively in December 2019. Carcass traits including loin eye area (LEA), loin eye muscle width (LEW) and depth (LED), and back-fat depth (BFD) were measured for sires, dams, and their progeny lambs. Birth weight (BW), rearing rank, sex, and weaning weight (WW=90 d) and post weaning weight (PW=120 d) were recorded for progeny. Post-weaning live weight, LEA and BFD values were calculated for deriving an expected progeny difference lists and ewe replacements. Retaining ram lambs (25% male progeny) were recorded for live weight, carcass trait scanning, and breeding values estimate at six-month old as breeding sires. There was no difference between selection and control progeny for WW, PW, BFD and LEA measurements. Means for BW, WW, PW, LEA, LEW, LED, and FBD in progeny were 3.77 ±0.56, 22.13 ±2.98, 24.48 ±3.08 kg, 5.9 ±0.1cm², 4.4 ±0.5 cm, 1.9 ±0.2 cm and 2.9 ±2.6 mm. However, the WW, PW, LEA, and LEW were measured significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) greater for ram lambs (20.6 kg, 25.5 kg, 6.1 cm², 4.5 cm) over ewe lambs (19.5 kg, 23.8 kg, 5.7 cm², 4.3 cm). Single born lambs were significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) heavier at birth, weaning and post-weaning, and measured greater value for LEA and LED than twin birth or reared lambs. The statistical analysis showed WW was significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) correlated with PW (r=0.71) and both WW and PW correlated with LEA (r=0.5) but not with BFD. The result indicates that lean animal selection using ultrasound carcass trait scanning will improve early age selection efficiency and accuracy.

Feeding strategies with total mixed ration and concentrate may improve feed intake and carcass quality of Hanwoo steers.

This study examined the impact of using total mixed ration (TMR) and concentrate on feed intake, daily gain, carcass yield grade, and carcass quality grade of Hanwoo steers and its subsequent economic efficiency. Thirty six 7-month-old Hanwoo steers were assigned to one of the four treatment groups, and each group was divided into three repeated pens, with each repeated pen comprising three steers. The treatment groups were: 1) separate feeding with commercial concentrate and forage (namely, SCF) for the entire experimental period; 2) TMR feeding for a growing period followed by SCF for the early and late fattening period (namely, TMRGSCF); 3) TMR feeding for growing and an early fattening period followed by SCF for the late fattening period (namely, TMREFSCF); and 4) TMR feeding for the entire experimental period (namely, TMRW). The results showed that the SCF treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) higher feed intake during the growing period than other treatments. In contrast, the total feed intake had little difference during early and late fattening as well as the whole period regardless of feeding strategies. Daily gain showed no difference during the growing period. However, it was significantly higher in SCF and TMREFSCF treatments for the early and late fattening period, respectively (p < 0.05). The daily gain during the total raising period is in the order of TMREFSCF > TMRGSCF > SCF > TMRW. Carcass characteristics, including carcass weight, loin eye muscle area, and carcass yield grade, did not significantly differ among different treatments. However, TMRW treatment, wherein TMR was fed for a long time, showed that the cold carcass weight was less compared with other treatments, but carcass yield grade was higher with thinner backfat. Backfat thickness was in the order of SCF > TMRGSCF > TMREFSCF > TMRW, showing that the thickness reduced with longer TMR feeding (p < 0.05). TMRGSCF, which numerically had a higher carcass quality grade, showed higher economic efficiency, whereas SCF showed low economic efficiency. In conclusion, it was more feasible to apply TMR strategy in the growing and early fattening period and then SCF for the early or late fattening period to improve carcass yield, quality grade, and economic efficiency.

Comparative Physical Characteristics in the Indigenous Nigerian and Imported European Pigs

THE Physical carcass characteristics of 100 indigenous Nigerian pigs (IND.) (50 gilts and 50 barrows), and 100 Large White x Landrace pigs with a similar sex ratio were compared. These were slaughtered at either one of five weights, 22.7, 34.0, 45.5, 56.8 or 68 kg live weight, in such a way that 10 gilts and 10 barrows of each breed were slaughtered at each of the predetermined slaughter weights. For the purpose of comparing sexual influences on physical carcass traits in the indigenous pigs carcass data were obtained on an additional group of 50 indigenous boars during the same period as the above it similar Slaughter weights involving similar numbers per slaughter weight. In a third experiment carcass data were collected on 40 pure Large White pigs (LW) (20 gilts and 20 barroWs) and 40 indigenous x Large White pigs (IND.XLW) also made up of 20 gilts and 20 barrows. A comparison was made between these and the data on a similar number of indigenous barrows and gilts. The results indicated highly significantly different (P &lt;0.01). Proportions of lean and fat and significantly (P &lt;0.05) different proportions of bone and skin in the carcasses of IND and LWXLD pig. The LWXLD pigs had more lean, and bone, less fat and skin, than the indigenous pigs. Carcass conformation was also clearly different in both breeds. The indigenous pigs had lower proportion of lean cuts and greater proportion of the fat cuts than the LWXLD pigs at all Slaughter weights. From 22.7 to 68 kg slaughter weights, the IND pigs were shorter, had thicker backfat, higher dressing percentage and smaller loin eye muscle area compared to the LWXLD pigs. Percentages lean, bone skin, ham, loin, shoulder and sum of four lean cuts decreased while percentages fat, fat cuts, trimmed fat and backfat thickness increased with increasing slaughter weights for both breeds. A comparison of carcass traits in the indigenous boars, barrows and gilts showed that the boars were leaner and had superior carcass conformation to the gilts which in turn were leaner than barrows. Crosses between the indigenous pigs and pure large White pigs were superior to the pure indigenous pigs in terms of carcass length, greater proportion of lean to fat and thinner backfat measurements, while they were inferior to the Pure Large White pigs in terms of these measurements.

Association Among Some Carcass Traits In Three Weight Groups Of Pigs

A TOTAL of seven hundred and eight Large White x Landrace pigs were slaughtered at three weight groups, 34.0, 55.0 and 92.0kg to collect carcass data. Of these 228, made of 118 castrates and 110 gilts, were slaughtered at 34 kg; 240 pigs, made up of 125 castrates and 115 gilts were slaughtered at 55kg, while a total of 240 pigs made up of 120 gilts and 120 barrows were slaughtered at 92 kg. Simple correlations as well as regression equations describing relationship among traits were calculated. &#x0D; Percent of lean cuts and separable lean in carcass decreased while fat cuts and separable fat increased with increasing slaughter weight. Such linear measurements as backfat thickness, loin-eye muscle area and carcass length increased significantly with increasing slaughter weights. Significant differences were obtained for several carcass traits between castrates and gilts slaughtered at 92 kg.&#x0D; Among the carcass cuts, percentage four lean cuts and loin showed highly significant and positive correlations with separable lean, while the relationship for other cuts such as the ham and shoulder, though significant, were low. Such carcass fat predictors as percentages separable fat, fat cuts and trimmed fat as well as back at thickness were highly significantly negatively correlated with separable lean, the relationship being highest for percentage separable fat. Dressing percentage and carcass length were poorly correlated with fatness or leaness, while loin eye areas was highly significantly correlated with leaness. The predictive values of the different traits remained relatively the same at the different slaughter weights, although the relationships were better at the 55 kg slaughter weight than at lower weights. The results indicate that while direct chemical determinations or complete physical separation are considered the best measures of carcass quality, the magnitude of the correlation coefficients between separable lean or fat and the different cuts suggests that these could be used with some degree of precision in appraising carcasses.

Changes in the suckling behaviour of beef calves at 1 month and 4 months of age and effect on cow production variables

The experiment used tri-axial accelerometers to record changes in suckling behaviour in beef calves with advancing age and also investigated the correlations between suckling behaviour, production variables and postpartum anestrous period (PPAP) of cows. Data were collected from 20 Bos taurus calves reared under pastoral conditions of northern Australia over two periods: when calves were on average1 and 4 months old. Calves suckled less frequently per 24 h at 4 months (8.2 ± 0.66 times) than at 1 month of age (9.8 ± 0.46 times, P < 0.05); however, calves had significantly longer suckling durations per bout at 4 months (9.3 ± 0.35 min) than 1 month of age (8.3 ± 0.31 min, P < 0.05). The suckling behaviour of calves had no effect on their average daily weight gain (ADWG) (P> 0.05). However, the ADWG of cows were negatively associated with suckling duration per bout (rho=-0.54, P < 0.05). Cow’s PPAP was shorter when they had greater body condition score (BCS) (at 4 months of calf’s age rho=-0.49, P < 0.05), greater loin eye muscle area (LEMA) (at 1 month of calf’s age rho=-0.58, P < 0.05; at 4 months of calf’s age rho = 0.57, P < 0.05) and greater fat depth over rib (at 1month of calf’s age rho=-0.45, P < 0.05). Dams with greater fat depth over their ribs at 1 month of their calves’ age nursed their calves less frequently when they were 4 months old (rho=-0.52, P < 0.05). It is concluded that calf suckling behaviour changes with age, specifically bout length increases and suckling frequency decreases. Additionally, the calves of dams in greater body condition suckle less frequently, suggesting the dams may have greater overall reproduction efficiency.

236 Comparison of ultrasound scanned loin eye muscle characteristics and back-fat depth measured in lean muscle selection and control Katahdin sheep flock

Abstract Sheep farming is an important enterprise for many farmers in US, and meat is a viable protein resource for human nutrition. However, increasing concern for health aspects of meat consumption has led consumers to demand a higher ratio of lean to fat tissues. Application of ultrasound carcass scanning in meat animal selection and marketing as a performance prediction will enhance the selection efficiency, accuracy and profitability. One hundred and sixty two mixed-age Katahdin ewes were evenly divided into a high lean muscle selection (n = 81) and control (n = 81) flock based on the prescreened ultrasound measures, including loin eye muscle area (LEA), loin eye muscle width (LEW), and depth (LED), and back-fat depth (BFD). The LEA is measured between the 12th and 13th ribs lateral and perpendicular to the vertical column and parallel to rib covering the longissimus dorsi muscle. Live animal measurements were conducted using ultrasound scanner fitted with a 3.5 MHz linear transducer (ExaGo, France) prior to fall breeding schedules. Live weight (LWT), body condition score (BCS) and FAMACHA score (FAM) were recorded. Data were analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS statistics. There was no difference between selection and control flocks for LWT, BCS and FAM; however, LEA, LEW, LED and BFD were significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) greater for the lean selection over control flock (Table 1). The correlation coefficients (P &amp;lt; 0.01) were found as moderate (r = 0.6) to high (r = 0.8) among LED, LEA, LEW and BFD, whereas these traits showed lower (r = 0.4) but significant (P &amp;lt; 0.01) correlations with LWT. The results indicate that lean muscle selection in sheep with ultrasound scanning of longissimus muscle characteristics will enhance the production efficiency and genetic gain and facilitate producing a high value meat product.

Analysis of the Bovine DLK1 Gene Polymorphism and Its Relation to Lipid Metabolism in Chinese Simmental.

Simple SummaryDelta-like non-canonical Notch ligand 1 (DLK1) is a candidate gene associated with lipid metabolism. In order to verify the function of the DLK1 gene on lipid metabolism in Chinese Simmental cattle, we identified the effect of DLK1 on lipid metabolism in bovine fetal fibroblast cells (BFFs). At the same time, we also detected the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphism sites (SNPs) of bovine DLK1 with the economic traits and fatty acids composition in Chinese Simmental cattle, such as the carcass fat coverage rate, loin eye muscle area, and fat color score, etc. In the present study, we precisely constructed and transfected the overexpression and interference vectors of the DLK1 gene in BFFs. the results showed that the overexpression of the DLK1 gene could decrease the contents of intracellular triglycerides (TGs) while interference of the DLK1 gene could increase the TGs contents. Gas chromatography analysis of the fatty acid composition showed that the contents of octanoate acid and γ-linolenate acid were regulated as the expression of DLK1 was altered. We found two SNPs and genes associated with these traits in Chinese Simmental by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RPLF-PCR) detection method. In summary, we verified the effects of bovine DLK1 on fatty acid metabolism from the cellular level to population genetic polymorphism, which also paved the way for further studying of the effects of the DLK1 gene on lipid metabolism in vivo.In this study, we precisely constructed and transfected the overexpression and interference vectors in BFFs to evaluate the role of DLK1 gene on lipid metabolism in vitro. The expression of of DLK1 in the mRNA and protein level tended to reduce, and TGs were significantly increased in the pGPU6-shDLK1 group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The expression of DLK1 in the mRNA and protein level were increased in the pBI-CMV3-DLK1 group compared to the control group, and the TGs content showed a significant decrease in the pBI-CMV3-DLK1 group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, we used the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) detection method to screen SNPs further to explore and analyze the relationship between the gene and the economic traits of 28-month-old Chinese Simmental and the fatty acids composition of cattle longissimus muscle. The result showed that two SNPs, IVS3 + 478 C > T and IVS3 + 609 T > G, were identified as being significantly associated with carcass and meat quality traits in Chinese Simmental, such as the carcass fat coverage rate, loin eye muscle area, and fat color score. In summary, our results indicated that DLK1 can affect lipid metabolism in bovine and these two SNPs might be applied as genetic markers of meat quality traits for beef cattle breeding.