Sire Type Research Articles

Pig sire type and sex effects on carcass traits, meat quality and physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Serrano dry‐cured ham

AbstractThis study demonstrates that improvements in animal line selection by breeding enterprises exert a strong effect on carcass traits, meat quality and sensory characteristics of Serrano dry‐cured ham. A total of 461 pigs from the offspring of a Duroc (DU) × Landrace (LD) sow mated with two DU boars and a DU × Large White (LW) boar from three breeding enterprises were evaluated. The two DU terminal sires were significantly different (P < 0.05) in carcass conformation, backfat thickness, ham and loin yields, raw ham traits, myoglobin concentration and total pigments formed during the curing process; in addition, the two lines provided different percentages of hams (54 vs 91%) with sufficient subcutaneous fat and weight to manufacture dry‐cured Serrano hams using a slow ripening process (11 months). The DU × LW sire had the best carcass and ham traits from an economic standpoint and obtained highest scores for sensory characteristics of Serrano ham evaluated by a trained panel test; furthermore, this line provided 84% of total hams suitable for manufacturing Serrano hams by a slow process. When the sex effect was analysed, carcass and ham traits of females were more favourable, but females presented a higher incidence of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat and a lower percentage of hams with sufficient subcutaneous fat and weight to produce Serrano hams using a slow ripening process (61% for females and 91% for castrates). On the other hand, castrates provided Serrano hams cured by a slow procedure with better organoleptic characteristics than females. Right and left hams were similar. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

Skin wrinkles of the sire adversely affect Merino and halfbred pelt characteristics and other production traits

The wrinkles on the skin of Merino sheep and related breeds are retained during leather processing, and the skins are known as ‘ribby pelts’ in the leather trade. Merino sires with either no skin wrinkles (smooth, n = 7) or excessive wrinkles (ribby, n = 7) were allocated at random to mating groups of 22 Merino ewes mixed with 22 Romney ewes. The progeny of ribby sires were more ribby at docking (P<0.001), at shearing (P<0.001), in the fellmongery (P = 0.001) and as pickled pelts (P<0.001). Merino progeny were more ribby than Merino × Romney (halfbred) progeny at all stages. When professionally graded as pickled pelts, smooth-sired progeny produced more pelts without ribs in both Merino (5% v. 0%) and halfbreds (69% v. 38%) than ribby-sired progeny. Wool samples collected at 7.5 months of age were not significantly different between sire groups in mean fibre diameter (P = 0.27) or staple length (P = 0.60) but they were different in standard deviation of fibre diameter (P = 0.003). Liveweight was consistently greater in the progeny of smooth sires, although this difference did not reach significance until the progeny attained a mean liveweight of 28 kg for Merinos and 32 kg for halfbreds (P = 0.016). Breed differences were observed in other traits and these are discussed. Interestingly, there were few significant sire type breed interactions, the exceptions being yield of clean wool (P<0.001), standard deviation of fibre diameter (P = 0.003) and an additional pelt trait referred to as pinhole score (P = 0.003). In summary, choosing sires without skin wrinkles can improve pelt quality, wool quality and liveweight of Merino and halfbred progeny.

EFFECT OF SIRE TYPE AND PLANE OF NUTRITION ON LAMB LOIN SHEAR FORCE, MYOFIBRILLAR FRAGMENTATION INDEX AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATION

ABSTRACTThe tenderness, myofibrillar fragmentation (MF) and calcium concentration of 140 female lambs sired by Poll Dorset sires of 3 sire types (3 selected for growth, 3 selected for muscling and 3 control) and fed either a low or high plane of nutrition from birth to slaughter was examined. Carcasses were electrically stimulated and portions of m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (loin) aged for 1,3 or 5 days. Sire type had no effect on shear force values or MF values. Low plane animals produced tougher loins at each aging period with a greater reduction in shear force during aging in low plane animals. MF values increased with aging indicative of increased degradation, but were lower in low plane animals consistent with the increased toughness in this group. There was no effect of sire type on ‘free‘ calcium concentration in loin muscle, but low plane lambs had a higher calcium concentration. The concentration of free calcium increased with aging. The findings suggest that plane of nutrition can influence loin tenderness and this is reflected in reduced myofibril degradation, but sire type effects are not important as tested in this work.

Colour, composition and eating quality of beef from the progeny of two Charolais sires

Eating quality and variation within eating quality attributes of beef from young bull progeny of a Charolais sire of average conformation heritability (CF44) ( n=14) and young bull progeny of a Charolais sire of good conformation heritability (IC27) ( n=16) were examined. The M. longissimus dorsi (up to 12th and/or 13th ribs) was excised 24 h post-slaughter and eating quality attributes analysed at 2, 7 and 14 days postmortem. While progeny muscularity and carcass weight reflected that of each sire, in general no variation was observed in the quality attributes. In addition no significant difference in mean values was evident between sire progenies for carcass and meat quality attributes examined. Significant variation was observed in colour after 2 days ageing, but this was not evident after 7 or 14 days ageing. Average sarcomere length did differ significantly ( p<0.05) between progeny of both sire types (CF44=1.87 μm and IC27=1.77 μm), but did not appear to impact on tenderness. The similarity between the progeny of the average or good conformation sires examined in this experiment suggests such sires have no effect on the eating quality of their young bull beef progeny.

Effects of sire type and sex on pork muscle exopeptidase activity, natural dipeptides and free amino acids

Five sire types, namely Danish Duroc (DU), Dutch Large White (LWD), English Large White (LWE), Belgian Landrace × Landrace (BL × LR) and Belgian Landrace (BL), were mated with LR × LW crossbred sows. Dipeptidylpeptidase and aminopeptidase activities and free amino acid and natural dipeptide contents were compared between the offspring of each sire type. Regarding the sire type effect, significant differences were detected in dipeptidylpeptidase I and IV and alanyl and pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase activities, with activity being lowest in the offspring of BL sires. Significant differences were also observed between sire types in the content of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, glutamine, histidine and arginine. Taking into account the role of exopeptidases and free amino acids in taste development, the meat from BL-sired pigs may be considered as inferior in generating flavour precursors and thus not appropriate to undergo a dry-curing process. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry

Effects of sire type and sex on pork muscle exopeptidase activity, natural dipeptides and free amino acids

Effects of sire type and sex on pork muscle exopeptidase activity, natural dipeptides and free amino acids

Effects of pig sire type and sex on carcass traits, meat quality and sensory quality of dry-cured ham

Five different sire types, Danish Duroc (DU), Dutch Large White (LWD), English Large White (LWE), Belgian Landrace × Landrace (BL × LR) and Belgian Landrace (BL), were mated with LR × LW crossbred sows. Their offspring were compared on carcass traits, meat quality measurements and sensory characteristics of dry-cured ham. An animal mixed model was used to analyse these traits. BL-sired pigs had the worst score for meat quality but the highest killing out proportion and the best carcass conformation, with a higher percentage of ham and shoulder. On the other hand, DU-sired pigs had a good score on meat quality measurements as well as low subcutaneous fat and a good carcass conformation. Sensory analysis of dry-cured ham revealed that the BL-sired pigs showed a high ‘rancid’ aroma, although this sire type presented a low ‘marbling’ appearance. Dry-cured ham from BL × LR-sired pigs was characterised by a high ‘fat complex’ aroma and a low level of ‘tyrosine crystals’, and from DU-sired pigs by high ‘marbling’ and ‘tyrosine crystals’ and a low aroma content. The females produced a higher percentage of ham and dry-cured ham with a higher ‘overall quality’ than the males. It can be concluded that the appropriate genetic type for dry-cured ham processing is the DU sire because of its high desirable ‘marbling’ descriptor. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry

Effects of the terminal sire type and sex on pork muscle cathepsins (B, B+L and H), cysteine proteinase inhibitors and lipolytic enzyme activities

Pork muscle cathepsins (B, B+L, and H), cysteine proteinase inhibitors and lipolytic enzyme activities were measured in the offspring of five different genetic sire types: Danish Duroc (DU), Dutch Large White (LW D), English Large White (LW E), Belgian Landrace × Landrace (BL×LR) and Belgian Landrace (BL). Cathepsin B and B+L activities were higher for LW E and LW D sires than for BL×LR and BL. Cathepsin H activity showed an opposite evolution, being higher for BL and BL×LR sires than for DU, LW D and LW E. Cysteine proteinase inhibitor activity was higher for LW E sires than for DU and BL. In lipolytic enzymes, BL sires had a lower acid lipase activity than DU and LW E sires and also a lower neutral esterase activity than LW E and LW D sires. Significant differences between sexes were found for cathepsin H activity only, being higher for females.

Influence of sire growth potential, time on feed, and growing-finishing strategy on cholesterol and fatty acids of the ground carcass and longissimus muscle of beef steers.

The purpose of this study was to determine how diverse beef cattle production systems affect fatty acids and cholesterol of meat. Crossbred cows were bred by AI to high (H) or moderate (M) growth rate potential bulls to produce spring- or fall-born calves. Steer calves from these matings were placed on finishing diets at three ages. Spring-born steers were started at 6 or 18 mo of age (A6 and A18), and fall-born calves were started at 12 mo of age (A12). Slaughter times were 0, 90, 180, and 270 d for A6; 68, 136, and 204 d for A12; and 0, 45, 90, and 135 d for A18. Four steers of each type were slaughtered in each of 2 yr for each sire type x time on feed x slaughter group. Fatty acids and cholesterol of ground carcass and longissimus muscle (LM) were determined by GLC. Carcass fat increased faster in M than in H steers (P < .01). Ground carcass cholesterol was greater for M steers (P = .06) than for H steers because of the greater fat content in the M ground carcass. No differences in LM cholesterol were observed for sire growth potential or time on feed. Fatty acid differences in ground carcass with time on feed were due primarily to decreases in 18:0 and increases in 18:1. The LM saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids changed little with time on feed, but total saturates were greater for M steers (44.5%) than for H steers (42.8%) (P = .02). A18 steers of H sires had the greatest (P = .04) ratio of 18:0 plus unsaturates to 14:0 plus 16:0 (most hypocholesterolemic). We conclude that cholesterol in lean muscle is not altered by the sire growth potential x time on feed x growing-finishing strategy imposed, and that lean beef from steers sired by H bulls and backgrounded before finishing may produce meat with the healthiest lipid composition.

Offspring quality and female choice in the guppy,Poecilia reticulata

This study evaluated the offspring viability prediction of the condition-dependent and Fisherian models of female choice in the guppy. Families of full-sibling females were bred with the male they preferred or did not prefer in a choice experiment. The physical condition, sexual behaviour and coloration of the offspring were evaluated. There were no significant differences between offspring attributable to the type of sire. However, there were significant family and sire-type by family interactions for physical condition, male mating behaviour and coloration. These significant effects indicate that consistency within families may be due to genetic effects. Genetic analyses indicate that genetic variation probably exists for prolonged swimming performance, physical condition and display rate. The results of this study and other studies on other fish have shown that these measures of constitution are correlated with components of viability. These results are interpreted in the framework of the condition-dependent and Fisherian models of female choice.

Inheritance of birthweight and growth traits in crosses between the Booroola Merino and Assaf sheep breeds

Data on birthweight, pre and post weaning growth rates and 150 day weight of 1058 Assaf (As), Booroola Merino (B) × As (F1), F1 × As ( 3 4 As ), As × F1 ( 3 4 As′ ), As × 3 4 As ( 7 8 As ) and B × F1 ( 3 4 B ) lambs were analyzed. Genotype, sex of lamb, genotype by sex interaction, crop, type of birth and sire within genotype had significantly ( P< 0.05) affected the different traits. Assaf lambs had the highest and 3 4 B lambs had the lowest birthweights. A negative relationship was found between the birthweight and the proportion of the Booroola blood in the lamb and its mother. As, F1, 3 4 As, 3 4 As′ and 7/8As ram lambs did not differ significantly ( P> 0.05) in their post weaning growth rate and in their 150 day weight. Similar situation was found among ewe lambs except for F1 ewe lambs which were significantly ( P< 0.05) smaller than Assaf ewe lambs at 150 days indicating sex linked effect on growth in the Booroola-Assaf crosses. The Assaf transmitted effects were positive and significant ( P< 0.05) for birthweight, post weaning growth and 150 day weight, and the Assaf maternal effect was positive and significant ( P< 0.001) for birthweight. Significant ( P< 0.001) heterosis was found for post weaning growth rate. Sex linked and recombination effects were significant ( P< 0.01) for pre weaning growth.

Differences in production and type trait selection differentials between bulls used in official and owner/sampler dairy herds

Differences in the emphasis placed on type and production traits between bulls used in official herds and those used in owner/sampler (O/S) herds registered at the Quebec Dairy Herd Analysis Service were calculated. For 543 881 Holsteins and 41 955 Ayrshires, service records (containing the cow and service sire identification and the service sire's production and type proofs) were used to calculate selection differentials (SD) for the bulls used in official and O/S herds for each 6-mo period between 1980 and 1983. An SD was calculated as the difference between a bull's proofs in a service record and the average proof of all bulls available in the same period. Selection differential means and variances were calculated within each herd, and the average and variance of these means were determined for each 6-mo period. Differences in SD between bulls used in official and O/S herds were determined using the Student's t-test for differences between means. Within Holsteins, SD for final class, general appearance, fore udder, rear udder, size and stature of bulls used in official herds were significantly higher in O/S herds. Within Ayrshires, no significant differences in type-trait SD were found because a very small number of prominent bulls were used extensively throughout both official and O/S Ayrshire herds. Although not significant, in all periods production trait SD tended to be higher for bulls used in O/S herds than for bulls used in official herds for both Holsteins and Ayrshires. Key words: Dairy cattle, bull selection, official, owner/sampler

Productivity of pure- and crossbred cattle in a subtropical environment

The influence of different breeds of sire and dam types on cow productivity in an arid, subtropical environment was studied. Cows with calves sired by Simmentaler, Hereford and Bonsmara bulls were more (P less than 0.05) productive than those with calves sired by Afrikaner bulls. Simmentaler sires were superior (P less than 0.05) to Bonsmara sires. Crossbred cows of predominant (greater than 50%) Bos taurus breeding were generally superior to crossbreds of predominant B. indicus breeding and purebreds. Crossbreeding systems to utilize breed effects to optimise cow productivity within environmental constraints are discussed.

The effects of sire type, company source, feeding regimen and sex on eating quality of pig meat

The introduction of new breeds, genetic progress in traditional breeds and the slaughter of entire males have helped reduce average P2 backfats by 0.5mm per year over the last 10 years. In the early 1980's, there was growing industry concern over the possible reduction in eating quality by the production of very lean pigs and entire males. The Meat and Livestock Commission's first Stotfold trial included an examination of these issues.

The effects of sire type and company source on litter productivity and pig growth performance

Major changes have taken place in the British pig slaughter population over the past 10 years. There has been a dramatic change in average fatness, entire males have almost replaced castrated males and specialist Meat Sire lines are having an increasingly significant effect. MLC's First Stotfold Trial was carried out to examine the effects of these various factors and provide a database of information for decision-making by the major breeding companies and the industry as a whole.

Effects of Genetic Strain, Slow Versus Rapid-Feathering Maternal Genotype, and Cage Density on the Performance of Single Comb White Leghorns

Two hatches involving 11,158 pullets from 22 Single Comb White Leghorn strain crosses were used in these experiments: 13 from rapid-feathering (k+/–) and 9 from slow-feathering (K/–) dams, some of which shared common genetic backgrounds; and all from 5 homozygous k+ sire types. Birds were grown intermingled within hatch, and were subsequently caged in two laying houses, one with 30.5 cm × 40.6-cm cages and the other with 40.6 cm × 30.5-cm cages, at densities of three or four birds/cage. Data were collected by cage on hen-day rate of lay from 50% production to 52 wk of age; (HD%), number of eggs produced per hen housed (EHH), percentage mortality (%M) to 52 wk of age; 35-wk BW (BW35); egg weight (EW34), specific gravity (SG34), and percentage bloodspots (BS%34) at 34 wk of age. The effects of hatches or house (H), density (D), maternal feathering type (MFT), genetic strain within MFT (GS/MFT), bank level within house (BL/H), and all possible interactions were included in the analysis model.Hatch, house, and cage type were completely confounded, so no general conclusion can be made concerning the effects of the reverse and standard cages on performance. The H effects were significant for all traits except HD%. Cage D significantly affected all traits except SG34 and BS%34. Pullets housed at three/cage weighed 26 g less, produced 5.5 more eggs that were .3 g/egg lighter, laid at a 1.7% higher hen-day rate, and had 3.6 less %M from 20 to 52 wk of age than those housed at four/cage. The MFT significantly affected all traits except %M, SG34, and BS%34. The k+/–daughters from K/–dams weighed 34 g less, produced at a 2.8% lower HD%, laid 6.9 fewer eggs, which eggs averaged .6 g/egg less than the eggs from the k+/–daughters of the k+/– dams.Interactions were in general small and nonsignificant. However, the H × GS/MFT interactions were significant for HD%, EHH, BW35, %M, and EW34 (P<.05); their significance is suggestive of the presence of genotype × environment interactions.

Influence of Reproductive Management Factors on Genetic Merit of Service Sires

Records were terminated (by sale or dry date) lactation records for cows on DHI test in Virginia for 1982 through 1984. July 1986 production evaluations, most recent type evaluations, and appropriate semen prices for date of service for AI bulls were merged with service sire identification from 384,990 DHI records. Repeat breedings and multiple lactations per cow were used. Least squares procedures revealed significant influences of season, mate's sire's PD for type and dollars, mate's milk yield deviation, registry status, and insemination number on production evaluations, PD type, and semen price of service sire. Significant effects of several of the same variables on linear type traits were observed. Season effects were possibly due to genetic trends. Genetic merit for production and type of service sire declined for daughters of sires with missing or low type and production evaluations, for mates with low or missing herdmate deviations, for grade cows, and for repeat services, especially fourth and later. Days between breedings were nonsignificant or of limited importance in predicting genetic merit of service sires. Proven bulls in AI accounted for 76.3% of all breedings, AI sample sires for 6.3%, and non-AI or unknown sires for 17.4% of breedings in these data.

Factors Affecting Selection of Mates of Sires in Arteficial Service

Matings of 10,922 registered Holstein cows from 1964 through 1967, to 142 sires, were identified through two artificial insemination organizations. Each sire had a minimum of 10 mates. Mates’ mature equivalent records were used to compute bias in sires’ Predicted Differences due to nonrandom selection of mates. The mean bias was 13.2 and .6kg for milk and fat with standard deviations of 14.7 and .6kg. Rank correlations between Predicted Differences, uncorrected and corrected for the bias, were .996 and .992 for milk and fat for the 126 bulls with published proofs.Price by itself accounted for approximately one-half of the variation in bias. Multiple regression of bias on a subjective popularity score and type and production proof data indicated that price and sire's type score were the most important factors in predicting bias.