Correlated responses in reproductive and carcass traits to selection for 200-day weight in Duroc swine.

Correlated responses in reproductive and carcass traits from a line of Duroc pigs selected for increased 200-d weight along with a randomly selected control line were studied in 189 litters (116 select, 73 control) and 191 pigs (106 select, 85 control), respectively. Reproductive and maternal traits studied included litter sizes born, born alive, and alive at 21 d and litter weight at birth and at 21 d. Carcass traits studied were carcass length, longissimus muscle area, average backfat thickness, 10th rib backfat thickness, specific gravity, weights of closely trimmed ham, loin, and shoulder, belly weight, subjective scoring of the longissimus muscle for color and marbling, estimated percentage of muscle and lean gain per day. Total weighted cumulative selection differential for 200-d weight was 81.7 kg. The realized heritability for 200-d weight was .18 +/- .08, and the change in 200-d weight was 2.5 +/- 1.2 kg per generation. The regression coefficient of litter size born on generation was -.29 +/- .12 (P less than .10) pigs per generation. None of the other regression coefficients for the reproductive traits differed from zero. Average backfat thickness, 10th rib backfat thickness, and belly weight increased by .093 +/- .016 cm, .122 +/- .029 cm, and .089 +/- .040 kg, respectively, per generation. Specific gravity, ham weight, shoulder weight, color score, and percentage of muscle decreased -.00086 +/- .00024, -.165 +/- .013 kg, -.104 +/- .011 kg, -.035 +/- .015 points, and -.47 +/- .12%, respectively, per generation in response to the selection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of grain sources for swine diets and their effect on meat and fat quality traits

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary grain sources on various compositional and quality characteristics of pork from pigs reared in a commercial environment. Pigs were fed 1 of 5 dietary treatments containing the following single or blended grain sources throughout most of the grow-finish period: 1) yellow corn, 2) white corn, 3) 1/3 yellow corn and 2/3 white corn, 4) 2/3 yellow corn and 1/3 white corn, and 5) barley. Pigs were from 2 sire genetic types, Duroc and Hampshire x Duroc, mated to PIC 1055 females. A total of 1,040 pigs were included in the study in a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial arrangement with 2 genetic types, 2 sexes (barrows and gilts), and 5 dietary treatments. Eight pigs were randomly selected from each pen of 26 (n = 320) for meat and fat quality evaluation. Pigs were 27.6 kg at the beginning of the experiment and were fed to 130.2 kg. All animals were held overnight at a commercial abattoir before slaughter. One whole, skin-on, boneless loin was collected from each carcass and held at -1 degrees C in a cryovac-sealed bag at the Iowa State University Meat Laboratory. At 25 to 27 d postslaughter, loins were evaluated for meat and fat quality. Dietary treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on 24-h pH, sensory tenderness, sensory chewiness, Instron tenderness, loin purge, or cook loss. At 25 to 27 d postslaughter, pigs fed diet 4 had a greater (P < 0.05) loin pH than pigs fed diet 1, and diets 2, 3, and 5 were not different from all treatment means. Pigs fed diet 4 had a greater (P < 0.05) Japanese color score than pigs fed diets 2, 3, and 5, and diet 1 was not different from all treatment means. Pigs fed diet 3 had a greater percentage of intramuscular fat than pigs fed diets 1 and 2, although diets 1, 4, and 5 and diets 1, 2, and 5 were not different (P > 0.05). No differences among dietary treatments were found for fat color values on a subjective basis. Pigs fed diet 5 had a more desirable objective fat color than pigs fed all white corn, and diets 1, 3, and 4 were not different (P > 0.05). Pigs fed diet 5 had greater levels of SFA and MUFA, and lower levels of unsaturated fatty acids and PUFA, in the subcutaneous fat than pigs fed all other diets. These results indicate that the energy sources evaluated in this study had little effect on eating quality of pork that was held for 25 to 27 d postslaughter.     

An evaluation of four candidate genes for use in selection programmes aimed at increased intramuscular fat in Duroc swine

Summary A sufficient level of intramuscular fat (IMF) is needed to enhance consumer acceptance of pork products, and is currently receiving greater attention within swine genetic improvement programmes. An examination of previously described and novel genetic variants within candidate genes for IMF deposition was performed to evaluate potential use of genetic markers in marker-assisted selection (MAS). Biological candidate genes implicated to play a role in adipogenesis were investigated within two different lines of purebred Duroc pigs. These included MC4R , FABP3 , DLK1 , and TCF7L2 . Significant variation in IMF within the control line was described by the MC4R genotype and a novel Bsr fI single nucleotide polymorphism within the FABP3 gene. Genetic markers for DLK1 and TCF7L2 evaluated in this population are not currently recommended for selection in Duroc swine. Existence of MC4R and FABP3 mutations may be useful markers in MAS aimed at IMF improvement, provided that gene effects are segregating and the presence of an association is detected within the population. However, additional work to confirm the use of the investigated genetic markers in selection programmes is needed.     

Quantitative trait loci analysis on Sus scrofa chromosome 7 for meat production, meat quality, and carcass traits within a Duroc purebred population

Many QTL analyses related to meat production and meat quality traits have been carried out using an F(2) resource population produced by crossing 2 genetically different breeds. This experiment was intended to investigate whether these QTL were segregating in a purebred Duroc population that had been selected for meat production and meat quality traits during 7 generations. Sus scrofa chromosome 7, for which significant QTL of intramuscular fat and many other traits have already been reported, was studied. The polymorphism of 10 microsatellite markers that were arranged at about 20-cM intervals was investigated on 1,004 pigs. In the selected population, 954 progeny were produced from mating of 99 sires and 286 dams. The QTL analysis for a full-sib family population was examined with the multigeneration pedigree structure of the population. Variance component analysis was used to detect QTL in this population and was examined for the multigeneration pedigree population. In this study, multigenerational pedigree estimated identical by descent coefficients among sibs were produced using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The maximum likelihood of odds score was found at the 70-cM position for the LM area, at the 0-cM position for the pork color standard, and at the 120-cM position for the number of thoracic vertebra, but no significant QTL for intramuscular fat were detected on SSC 7. These results indicate that QTL analysis via a variance component method within a purebred population was effective to determine that QTL were segregating in a population of purebred Durocs.     

Effects of divergent selection for leg weakness on angularity of joints in Duroc swine

Sixty Duroc pigs, representing offspring of three lines from the fifth generation of divergent selection for leg weakness, were examined to determine correlated responses in joint angularity. The lines were low, control, and high, with the latter having superior front leg structure. At approximately 100 kg, 10 pigs of each sex and line were scored for front and rear leg structure and movement. The shoulder, elbow, carpal and hock joints were measured for resting angles and range of motion. The model to analyze the data included the effects of line, sire, sex and side and covariable for weight. High-line pigs had significantly smaller (P less than .05) resting angles of the elbow joint than did control- or low-line pigs. The low-line pigs, however, had significantly smaller resting angles at the carpal joint (P less than .01) and greater resting angles at the hock joint (P less than .05) than did control- or high-line pigs. The low-line pigs had fewer degrees extension at the elbow joint and fewer degrees flexion at the carpal joint than did control- or high-line pigs. High-line pigs had fewer degrees of flexion of the elbow joint than did control-or low-line pigs. Resting angles and range of motion for the elbow and carpal joints were less on the left side than on the right side. Males had greater degrees of extension and total degrees of movement at the elbow joint than did females. Selection for different degrees of leg weakness resulted in accompanying alterations in angularity of joints.     

Genetic correlation between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration and performance and meat quality traits in Duroc pigs

This study was intended to examine whether serum IGF-I concentration is appropriate for use as a physiological predictor for genetic improvement of meat production and meat quality traits in pigs. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for these traits. The Duroc breed used in this study was selected for seven generations for average daily BW gain (DG) from 30 to 105 kg of BW, loin-eye muscle area (EM), backfat thickness (BF), and intramuscular fat (IMF) content. Serum IGF-I concentration of boars and gilts at the fourth generation of selection and that of boars, gilts, and barrows from the fifth to seventh generations of selection were measured at 8 wk (IGFI-8W) for 832 animals and again at the time they reached 105 kg of BW (IGFI-105KG) for 834 animals. A multivariate REML procedure was used to estimate genetic parameters with a model incorporating generation of selection, sex, common environmental effect of litter, and individual additive genetic effects. Heritability estimates for IGFI-8W and IGFI-105KG were 0.23 +/- 0.02 and 0.26 +/- 0.03, respectively. The estimates of common environmental effect for IGFI-8W and IGFI-105KG were 0.20 +/- 0.02 and 0.03 +/- 0.01, respectively. Positive genetic correlations were estimated between IGFI-8W and DG (0.26 +/- 0.08), EM (0.22 +/- 0.10), and IMF (0.32 +/- 0.10). Moreover, the positive genetic correlation between IGFI-105KG and EM was 0.42 +/- 0.08. These results indicate that serum IGF-I concentration at an early stage of growth was effective for prediction of IMF, but it was not a reliable physiological predictor of genetic merit of meat production traits.     

Genetic correlations among fatty acid compositions in different sites of fat tissues, meat production, and meat quality traits in Duroc pigs

This study estimated genetic parameters for fatty acids of different sites of fat tissue, meat production, and meat quality traits of Duroc pigs selected during 7 generations for ADG, LM area, backfat thickness (BF), and intramuscular fat (IMF). For this study, 394 barrows and 153 gilts were slaughtered at 105 kg of BW. High heritabilities for C18:0 of outer and inner subcutaneous fat tissue were estimated, respectively, as 0.54 and 0.51; those of intermuscular and intramuscular fat were 0.40 and 0.51, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations of ADG and BF with saturated fatty acids of outer and inner subcutaneous fat were positive, but those with C16:1 and C18:2 were negative, and those with C18:1 were nearly zero. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between LM area and respective fatty acids showed opposite results. Respective genetic and phenotypic correlations of melting points with C18:0 and C18:1 were positive and high, and negative and high, respectively. Genetic correlations between cooking loss and SFA (C14:0, C16:0, and C18:0) of IMF were positive and moderate: 0.56, 0.47, and 0.47, respectively. On the other hand, monosaturated fatty acid of C18:1 was highly and negatively correlated with cooking loss (-0.61). Moreover, high genetic correlation between meat color (pork color standard and lightness) and fatty acid compositions of IMF suggest that the SFA (C14:0, C16:0, and C18:0) were correlated genetically with meat lightness and that unsaturated fatty acid compositions (C18:1 and C18:2) were correlated with meat darkness. Results of this study suggest that the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue is correlated genetically with meat production and meat quality traits.     

Effects of divergent selection for limb weakness on bone and muscle cross-sectional areas in Duroc swine

The relationship of muscle and bone structure to limb weakness was examined in 60 Duroc pigs from 3 lines divergently selected for thoracic limb weakness. The lines were designated high, control, or low, with the low line having inferior thoracic limb structure. At approximately 100 kg, 10 pigs of each line and gender were scored for thoracic limb structure and movement. Right and left thoracic limbs were collected at slaughter. A computerized morphometric image analysis system was used to determine cross-sectional areas of muscles, bones, and soft tissues at levels through the brachium, antebrachium, metacarpus, and digits. The statistical model that was used to analyze the data included the effects of line, sire, gender, and side (left vs right), with weight as a covariate. Total bone area was similar for all 3 lines of pigs at all cross-sectional levels, but significant differences in muscle and other soft tissue areas were observed, including significantly greater extensor area for the antebrachium (P less than 0.001) in low-line pigs than in control- and high-line pigs, smaller total area (P less than 0.05) of the metacarpus in low-line pigs than in control and high-line pigs, and less total area of the medial digit (P less than 0.01) in low-line pigs than in control- or high-line pigs. Total area of bone and soft tissue for each cross-sectional region was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) in boars than in gilts. Side differences also were observed in total cross-sectional areas of bone and soft tissue of the antebrachium, metacarpus, and digits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

有机硒对杜大长商品猪生产性能、胴体性状、肉质的影响

近年来,猪的肉质受到高度关注。品种改良是提高猪肉品质的重要途径之一。另一重要途径是采取营养调控的方法来改善猪肉品质。有机硒因其重要的生物学功能和独特的代谢途径,在畜禽生产中的应用研究成为动物营养研究的一个重要课题。有机硒对养猪生产影响的研究多集中在     

The effect of selection for growth rate and slaughter age on carcass composition and meat quality traits in rabbits

The effect of selection for growth rate on carcass and meat quality was assessed by comparing selected and control populations of rabbits measured at the same stage of maturity and slaughtered at 9 and 13 wk of age. Embryos belonging to Generation 7 were frozen, thawed, and implanted in does to produce the control group. The control group was formed from the offspring of the embryos belonging to the Generation 7. Selected animals belonging to Generation 18 (S) were compared with contemporary animals of the control group (C). Carcasses were dissected and measured according to World Rabbit Science Association recommended practices. When animals were compared at similar degrees of maturity, selection for growth rate did not produce a negative effect on carcass and meat quality. There was no increase in fat content of the carcass, and there was an improvement of the meat:bone ratio with selection, with a difference between C and S groups of -0.42. However, the carcasses of S animals have 1.45% lower water-holding capacity. Carcass quality changed markedly with animal age. Heavy rabbit carcasses had lower organ percents and a higher loin percent. Dissectible and i.m. fat content were higher in older rabbits, with older animals having 0.97 and 0.79% more dissectible and i.m. fat content, respectively. Meat quality traits improved with age of slaughter, although there was an increase in glycolytic metabolism. Results from this study indicate that selection for growth rate has little effect in carcass and meat quality when rabbits are measured at the same stage of maturity.     

Genome-wide mapping and identification of new quantitative trait loci affecting meat production, meat quality, and carcass traits within a Duroc purebred population

Most QTL detection studies in pigs have been carried out in experimental F(2) populations. However, segregation of a QTL must be confirmed within a purebred population for successful implementation of marker-assisted selection. Previously, QTL for meat quality and carcass traits were detected on SSC 7 in a Duroc purebred population. The objectives of the present study were to carry out a whole-genome QTL analysis (except for SSC 7) for meat production, meat quality, and carcass traits and to confirm the presence of segregating QTL in a Duroc purebred population. One thousand and four Duroc pigs were studied from base to seventh generation; the pigs comprised 1 closed population of a complex multigenerational pedigree such that all individuals were related. The pigs were evaluated for 6 growth traits, 7 body size traits, 8 carcass traits, 2 physiological traits, and 11 meat quality traits, and the number of pigs with phenotypes ranged from 421 to 953. A total of 119 markers were genotyped and then used for QTL analysis. We utilized a pedigree-based, multipoint variance components approach to test for linkage between QTL and the phenotypic values using a maximum likelihood method; the logarithm of odds score and QTL genotypic heritability were estimated. A total of 42 QTL with suggestive linkages and 3 QTL with significant linkages for 26 traits were detected. These included selection traits such as daily BW gain, backfat thickness, loin eye muscle area, and intramuscular fat content as well as correlated traits such as body size and meat quality traits. The present study disclosed QTL affecting growth, body size, and carcass, physiological, and meat quality traits in a Duroc purebred population.     

Effect of nutritive level on carcass traits and meat quality of IHDH foals

The present work describes the effect of nutritive level on horse carcass traits and on meat quality. Eighteen male Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) breed foals were employed in the study. Soon after foaling they were randomly subdivided into three groups according to three nutritive level classes: 150%, 180% and 200% of maintenance requirements. Live weight, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage of each animal were recorded. After slaughtering, meat samples were collected from Longissimus dorsi muscle. The right half carcass of each animal was then divided into cuts. Each one was subdivided into lean, fat and bones. Live weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were not affected by nutritive level (P > 0.05). Horses fed with the lower nutritive level showed a higher incidence of lean and a lower incidence of fat (P < 0.01). Moreover, fatty acid profile was not affected by nutritive level (P > 0.05). Probably the tendency of IHDH foals to concentrate adipogenesis in the subcutaneous district could explain the lack of influence of nutritive level on meat quality parameters and its influence on carcass and cut composition, which tend to be richer in fat.     

谷胱甘肽对肉羊生长性能、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响

选择东北细毛羊×德国肉用美利奴的杂交一代肉羊12只,分成对照组、试验Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组,每组4只,研究谷胱甘肽对肉羊生长性能、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响。试验期60 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,谷胱甘肽显著提高了肉羊的日增重(P<0.05),试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组分别提高了14.6%和11.4%;降低了肉羊的料重比(P<0.05),试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组分别降低了11.0%和8.1%。试验Ⅰ组的净肉率和GR值显著高于对照组(P<0.05),Ⅱ组的宰前活重显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验Ⅰ组肉的剪切力显著低于对照组(P<0.05);试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组的滴水损失显著低于对照组(P<0.05),而熟肉率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),且两试验组间差异不显著(P>0.05);各试验组宰后45 min内肉的pH没有显著差异(P>0.05),但试验Ⅰ组24 h的pH极显著地高于其他2组(P<0.01)。     

Mass selection for increased 200-day weight in a closed line of Duroc pigs

Mass selection for increased weight at 200 d of age was conducted for six generations in a line of Duroc pigs. A randomly selected contemporary control line was maintained. Our objectives were to observe the response in 200-d weight, to measure correlated responses in weights at earlier ages, daily gains and ultrasound backfat thickness and to compare three methods for estimating responses to selection. Inbreeding coefficients averaged .213 and .202 for the select- and control-line pigs and .200 and .173 for the select- and control-line dams in the sixth generation, respectively. A total of 1,866 pigs were farrowed; 200-d weights were collected on 798 of them. These pigs were sired by 89 boars and were out of 193 sows. Twelve traits were studied: weights at birth and at 21, 35, 70, 154 and 200 d of age, daily gains from birth to 35 d, 35 d to 70 d, 70 d to 154 d and 154 d to 200 d, ultrasound backfat thickness at 200 d and ultrasound backfat thickness adjusted for 200-d weight. Three methods for estimating responses to selection gave similar results; therefore, the estimates were averaged. Total weighted cumulative selection differential for 200-d weight was 81.7 kg with a response in 200-d weight of 2.5 +/- 1.2 kg/generation. This response corresponds to a realized heritability for 200-d weight of .18 +/- .08. Increased weight at 200 d was the result of more rapid growth in the 154- to 200-d period, with decreased growth in the period from birth to 35 d. Growth at other periods was not changed significantly. Ultrasound backfat thickness at 200 d increased in the select line compared to the control line, but not when adjusted for 200-d weight.     

Muscle characteristics and meat quality traits are affected by divergent selection on residual feed intake in pigs

Residual feed intake (RFI) is defined as the difference between the observed feed intake and that expected based on requirements for maintenance and production. A divergent selection was conducted during 4 generations in Large White male pigs to produce low and high RFI lines. The present study aims at determining the influence of this selection on biochemical and histological traits of skeletal muscle, and relating these changes to correlated effects on growth, carcass composition, and meat quality traits. At 8 d preslaughter, biopsies from the LM were taken in the fed state on 14 females from each RFI line fed ad libitum. Animals were slaughtered at 107.8 ± 8.0 kg of BW without any previous fasting. Samples of LM, semimembranosus (SM), biceps femoris (BFM), and rhomboideus muscles were taken at both 30 min and 24 h postmortem. Myofiber typing was only assessed in LM. Low RFI pigs ("efficient") had leaner carcasses with greater muscle content (P < 0.001), less backfat thickness (P < 0.001), and less intramuscular fat content in all 4 muscles (P < 0.01 to P = 0.04). Their greater muscle content was associated with hypertrophy of all fast-twitch fibers. Glycogen content in all glycolytic muscles (i.e., LM, SM and BFM), was greater in low than high RFI pigs. The greater accumulation of glycogen in LM of low RFI pigs was specifically located in the fast-twitch glycolytic IIBW fibers, which correspond to fibers containing IIb, IIb + IIx, or IIx myosin heavy chains. The difference in muscle glycogen content between RFI line pigs was more significant in the living animals (P = 0.0003) than at 30 min postmortem (P = 0.08). This was associated with a decreased ultimate pH (P = 0.001), and greater lightness of color (P = 0.002) and drip loss (P = 0.04) in LM of low than high RFI line pigs, suggesting that selection for reduced RFI may impair some meat quality traits, such as water-holding capacity. Pigs from the low RFI line exhibited a greater (P = 0.02) percentage of IIBW fibers in LM and tended (P < 0.10) to have less lipid β-oxidative capacity in LM, SM, and BFM. In contrast, no difference (P > 0.10) between lines was found for citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase activities, mitochondrial activity, and expression of genes coding for uncoupling proteins 2 and 3. Differences between RFI pigs in plasma leptin, cortisol, and thyroid hormone concentrations are presented and discussed. In conclusion, selection for low RFI influenced muscle properties in a way favoring muscle mass, but likely impairing meat quality.     

Economic values for meat quality traits in pigs.

The aim for this study was to derive economic values for meat quality traits. Meat quality experts from 10 slaughter and retail companies in Switzerland were asked to give an interview in which they indicated their willingness to pay different prices for carcasses from different quality classes. Economic values for the seven meat quality traits color (L*), drip loss, intramuscular fat content, iodine value, pH1 (45 min after slaughtering), pH2 (24 to 30 h after slaughtering), and proportion of premium cuts were derived from the answers. For each trait, a weighted mean of these economic values was calculated using the number of pigs slaughtered by a company per year as a weighting factor. Population mean and standard deviation of the investigated traits were taken from station test results of Swiss Large White pigs (intramuscular fat content, iodine value, pH1, pH2, and proportion of premium cuts) and from the literature (color and drip loss). Weighted means (range among companies) of economic values per slaughter pig on the basis of one phenotypic standard deviation of the trait in Swiss Francs (SFr.) were -22.92 (0 to -62.46) for color, -10.27 (0 to -43.64) for drip loss, 10.84 (0 to 29.43) for intramuscular fat content, -29.90 (-15.54 to -43.58) for iodine value, 11.50 (.67 to 19.79) for pH1, 0 (0) for pH2, and 10.92 (-2.30 to 33.67) for proportion of premium cuts.     

IGF-I调控区微卫星座位遗传多态性对松辽黑猪肉质性状的影响

在克隆5’上游微卫星序列的基础上,以40头松辽黑猪为研究材料,分析了该微卫星序列的多态性,同时进行了各基因型与肌内脂肪含量等肉质和胴体性状的关联性分析。结果表明：在5’端侧翼微卫星位点上多态性丰富,共检测到4个等位基因（A、B、C、D）共6种基因型,等位基因A、B、C、D的频率分别为0．1125、0．0875、0．4250和0．3750;杂合度0．6580、多态信息含量0．5944、有效等住基因数2．9240;遗传效应分析发现AA基因型个体具有较高的肌内脂肪含量。     

Quantitative trait locus mapping in an F2 Duroc x Pietrain resource population: II. Carcass and meat quality traits

Pigs from the F(2) generation of a Duroc x Pietrain resource population were evaluated to discover QTL affecting carcass composition and meat quality traits. Carcass composition phenotypes included primal cut weights, skeletal characteristics, backfat thickness, and LM area. Meat quality data included LM pH, temperature, objective and subjective color information, marbling and firmness scores, and drip loss. Additionally, chops were analyzed for moisture, protein, and fat composition as well as cook yield and Warner-Bratzler shear force measurements. Palatability of chops was determined by a trained sensory panel. A total of 510 F(2) animals were genotyped for 124 microsatellite markers evenly spaced across the genome. Data were analyzed with line cross, least squares regression interval, mapping methods using sex and litter as fixed effects and carcass weight or slaughter age as covariates. Significance thresholds of the F-statistic for single QTL with additive, dominance, or imprinted effects were determined on chromosome- and genome-wise levels by permutation tests. A total of 94 QTL for 35 of the 38 traits analyzed were found to be significant at the 5% chromosome-wise level. Of these 94 QTL, 44 were significant at the 1% chromosome-wise, 28 of these 44 were also significant at the 5% genome-wise, and 14 of these 28 were also significant at the 1% genome-wise significance thresholds. Putative QTL were discovered for 45-min pH and pH decline from 45 min to 24 h on SSC 3, marbling score and carcass backfat on SSC 6, carcass length and number of ribs on SSC 7, marbling score on SSC 12, and color measurements and tenderness score on SSC 15. These results will facilitate fine mapping efforts to identify genes controlling carcass composition and meat quality traits that can be incorporated into marker-assisted selection programs to accelerate genetic improvement in pig populations.     

Muscle fibre traits as additional selection criteria for muscle growth and meat quality in pigs – results of a simulated selection

To estimate the direct and correlated responses in meatiness and meat quality, simulated selection was applied using one‐trait selection and index selection including muscle fibre traits. In a total of 2024 pigs of German Landrace, Large White, Leicoma, and Schwerfurter breeds, carcass composition, meat quality, and fibre characteristics of the M. longissimus lumborum were analysed and genetic parameters were calculated by using REML variance component estimation. Coefficients of heritability ranged from low to moderate (growth traits: h² = 0.22–0.32; meat quality traits: h² = 0.17–0.27; muscle fibre traits: h² = 0.12–0.20). The total fibre number and the frequency of white fibres correlated positively with live weight (r_g = 0.44 and 0.44, respectively) and with loin muscle area (r_g = 0.38 and 0.19, respectively) while the relationships to pH value and drip loss were not as close (r_g = ?0.29–0.19). Selection indices were constructed from live weight and muscle area, from pH value and drip loss, and from muscle structure traits. As expected, simulated selection for live weight or loin muscle area lead to direct positive effects but these were associated with negative effects on meat quality traits (selection intensities: SI = 0.1; 0.5). Using selection for an index from loin area and muscle structure (loin muscle area + total fibre number – frequency of white fibres – frequency of giant fibres) the adverse effect on meat quality was minimized (responses in pH value: ?0.05; ?0.01) or was changed towards desired direction (responses in drip loss: ?0.65%; ?0.26%). The results show that fibre characteristics of pig muscle can be used as selection criteria for simultaneous improvement of carcass composition and meat quality in pigs by including indices developed from performance and fibre traits.