Relationship between serum biochemical values and marbling scores in Japanese Black steers. |
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| Authors: | K Adachi H Kawano K Tsuno Y Nomura N Yamamoto A Arikawa A Tsuji M Adachi T Onimaru K Ohwada |
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| Institution: | Veterinary Clinic and Training Center, Miyazaki Federation of Agricultural Mutual Aid Association, Shintomi, Japan. |
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| Abstract: | In order to obtain available biochemical parameters related to the marbling score (MS), by which the meat was graded from 1 to 12 in Japan, serum biochemical values were examined in 13 Japanese Black steers during the fattening stages. The steers were divided into high MS (8-11) and low MS (4-5) groups and the fattening stage was also divided into 4 stages according to their feed contents; Stage I (11-13 month-old; 0-4 months after the fattening (af)), II (5-9 months af), III (10-14 months af), and IV (15-20 months af). High MS group showed significantly higher levels in glucose and urea nitrogen (at Stage I), albumin/globulin ratio (at Stage II), and magnesium (at Stage I and III), and lower level in vitamin A (at Stage III) than low MS group. These biochemical parameters, indicating conditions of steers during the fattening stages, are considered to have a possibility related to MS in fattening steers. |
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