Biomedical subjects

T J Baas

Publications and source records attributed to T J Baas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

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.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

Effect of long-term selection for increased leanness on meat and eating quality traits in Duroc swine.

A study was conducted to evaluate differences in meat and eating quality traits between purebred Duroc pigs sired by boars currently available and pigs sired by boars from the mid 1980s. Two lines were developed by randomly allocating littermate and half-sib pairs of females to matings by current time period (CTP) or old time period (OTP) boars. Matings by CTP boars were made using fresh semen, and matings by OTP boars were via frozen semen. All available barrows and randomly selected gilts were sent to a commercial abattoir and used for meat and eating quality evaluation. A total of 178 pigs from 23 CTP sires and 99 pigs from 15 OTP sires, across 2 replications and at a mean live weight of 109 kg, were slaughtered and analyzed. Chemical intramuscular fat percentage was determined by lab analysis of a slice from the LM at the 10th rib. Additional meat and eating quality traits measured on the LM were Minolta reflectance and Hunter L color (24 h); pH (24 h and 7 d); water-holding capacity; subjective visual scores for color, marbling, and firmness (48 h); Instron tenderness; cooking loss; and trained sensory panel evaluations (7 d). Time period differences were assessed by use of a mixed model that included fixed effects of sire time period, replication, sex, contemporary group, and the interaction of sex x time period. The random effect of dam and the random effect of sire nested within time period were also included. Loins from pigs sired by OTP boars had greater intramuscular fat (3.48 vs. 3.09%) and visual marbling scores (3.54 vs. 3.07), required less Instron force (5.31 vs. 5.98 kg) to compress, and had darker visual color scores (4.09 vs. 3.87) compared with loins from pigs sired by CTP boars (P < 0.05). No differences were observed between time periods for Minolta reflectance, Hunter L (24 h), water-holding capacity, pH (24 h and 7 d), or subjective firmness scores. Trained sensory evaluations revealed more pork flavor and less off-flavor (P < 0.05) for OTP-sired pigs; however, no differences in tenderness score, juiciness score, chewiness score, or cooking loss were found between lines. Long-term selection response in carcass composition has been at the expense of meat and eating quality traits.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

National Pork Producers Council Maternal Line National Genetic Evaluation Program: a comparison of sow longevity and trait associations with sow longevity.

Data from the National Pork Producers Council Maternal Line National Genetic Evaluation Program were used to compare longevity of sows from 6 commercial genetic lines and to estimate the phenotypic associations of sow longevity with gilt backfat thickness, ADG, age at first farrowing, litter size at first farrowing, litter weight at first farrowing, average feed intake during lactation, and average backfat loss during lactation. The lines evaluated were American Diamond Genetics, Danbred North America, Dekalb-Monsanto DK44, Dekalb-Monsanto GPK347, Newsham Hybrids, and National Swine Registry. The data set contained information from 3,251 gilts, of which 17% had censored longevity records (sows lived longer than 6 parities). The line comparison was carried out by analyzing all lines simultaneously. Because the survival distribution functions differed among genetic lines, later analyses were carried out separately for each genetic line. All analyses were based on the non-parametric proportional hazard (Cox model). Dekalb-Monsanto GPK347 sows had a lower risk of being culled than sows from the other lines. Moreover, the shape of the survival distribution function of the Delkab-Monsanto GPK347 line was different from the other 5 lines. The Dekalb-Monsanto 347 line had lower culling rates because they had lower gilt reproductive failure before the first parity than gilts from the other lines. Within line, sows with lower feed intake and greater backfat loss during lactation had a shorter productive lifetime. Thus, producers should implement management practices having positive effects on sow lactation feed intake. Additionally, the swine genetics industry is challenged to simultaneously improve efficiency of gain of their terminal market pigs and to obtain high feed intake during lactation of their maternal lines for future improvement of sow longevity. Recording sow feed intake and backfat loss during lactation in nucleus and multiplication breeding herds should be considered. Between-line differences in this study indicate that it is possible to select for sow longevity, but more research is needed to determine the most efficient selection methods to improve sow longevity.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2005

Genetic and phenotypic relationships between individual subcutaneous backfat layers and percentage of longissimus intramuscular fat in Duroc swine.

Progeny (n = 589) of randomly mated Duroc pigs were used to determine the genetic and phenotypic relationships between individual s.c. backfat layers and i.m. fat percent (IMF) of the longissimus. Five days before slaughter, cross-sectional ultrasound images were collected at the 10th rib by a National Swine Improvement Federation-certified ultrasound technician using an ultrasound machine (Aloka 500 SSD) fitted with a 12-cm linear array transducer. Off-midline backfat (SBF) and loin muscle area (SLMA) were measured. Individual s.c. backfat layers were measured at the same location: outer (OBF), middle (MBF), and inner (IBF). Off-midline backfat (CBF) and loin muscle area (CLMA) were measured on the carcass 24 h postmortem. A slice from the 10th rib of the loin muscle was obtained for determination of IMF. Heritability estimates and genetic correlations were calculated fitting all possible two-trait animal models in MATVEC (Wang et al., 2003). The heritabilities for OBF, MBF, IBF, CBF, SBF, and IMF were 0.63, 0.45, 0.53, 0.48, 0.44, and 0.69, respectively. The genetic correlations of OBF, MBF, and IBF with IMF were 0.36, 0.16, and 0.28, respectively, and the genetic correlations of CBF and SBF with IMF were 0.25 and 0.27, respectively. Genetic correlations between OBF and MBF, OBF and IBF, and MBF and IBF were 0.43, 0.45, and 0.67, respectively. Results demonstrate that individual backfat layers are highly heritable, of similar magnitude to total backfat, and have similar genetic correlations with IMF. Individual backfat layers could become candidate traits for implementation into a multiple-trait genetic evaluation to improve IMF, while minimizing the detrimental effect on total backfat depth.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of three models to estimate breeding values for percentage of loin intramuscular fat in Duroc swine.

Three selection models were evaluated to compare selection candidate rankings based on EBV and to evaluate subsequent effects of model-derived EBV on the selection differential and expected genetic response in the population. Data were collected from carcass- and ultrasound-derived estimates of loin i.m. fat percent (IMF) in a population of Duroc swine under selection to increase IMF. The models compared were Model 1, a two-trait animal model used in the selection experiment that included ultrasound IMF from all pigs scanned and carcass IMF from pigs slaughtered to estimate breeding values for both carcass (C1) and ultrasound IMF (U1); Model 2, a single-trait animal model that included ultrasound IMF values on all pigs scanned to estimate breeding values for ultrasound IMF (U2); and Model 3, a multiple-trait animal model including carcass IMF from slaughtered pigs and the first three principal components from a total of 10 image parameters averaged across four longitudinal ultrasound images to estimate breeding values for carcass IMF (C3). Rank correlations between breeding value estimates for U1 and C1, U1 and U2, and C1 and C3 were 0.95, 0.97, and 0.92, respectively. Other rank correlations were 0.86 or less. In the selection experiment, approximately the top 10% of boars and 50% of gilts were selected. Selection differentials for pigs in Generation 3 were greatest when ranking pigs based on C1, followed by U1, U2, and C3. In addition, selection differential and estimated response were evaluated when simulating selection of the top 1, 5, and 10% of sires and 50% of dams. Results of this analysis indicated the greatest selection differential was for selection based on C1. The greatest loss in selection differential was found for selection based on C3 when selecting the top 10 and 1% of boars and 50% of gilts. The loss in estimated response when selecting varying percentages of boars and the top 50% of gilts was greatest when selection was based on C3 (16.0 to 25.8%) and least for selection based on U1 (1.3 to 10.9%). Estimated genetic change from selection based on carcass IMF was greater than selection based on ultrasound IMF. Results show that selection based on a combination of ultrasonically predicted IMF and sib carcass IMF produced the greatest selection differentials and should lead to the greatest genetic change.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2004

The National Pork Producers Council Maternal Line National Genetic Evaluation Program: a comparison of six maternal genetic lines for female productivity measures over four parities.

Litter (n = 8,424) and female performance records were collected in two breed-to-wean production units in order to evaluate genetic line differences for sow longevity and maternal performance over four parities. Lines evaluated were American Diamond Genetics, Danbred North America, Dekalb-Monsanto DK44, Dekalb-Monsanto GPK347, Newsham Hybrids, and National Swine Registry. Females within a line were derived from a minimum of 65 sires, 197 dams (three dams per sire), and a maximum of three daughters per dam, except in the GPK347, which were produced using semen from 12 Nebraska Index boars mated with Dekalb-Monsanto Line 34 females. All lines expressed 100% maternal heterosis. Mixed model statistical procedures were used with fixed effects including genetic line, parity, production unit, and two-way interactions. Random effects included a contemporary week of production and female for repeated records. Lactation length (average 15 d) was included as a linear covariate where appropriate. In total, 3,599 females entered as early-weaned pigs, 3,283 entered the breeding herd, 2,592 farrowed at least a single litter, and 1,656 and completed four parities. Line (P < 0.001) and parity (P < 0.001) effects were observed for virtually all traits measured. Ranges of genetic line differences averaged across parities were 1.76 pigs for total born, 1.45 pigs born alive, and 0.31 stillborn pigs per litter. Ranges of line differences in total and live litter weight were 1.4 and 1.3 kg, respectively. Ranges among lines, within Parities 1 through 4, for litter size at weaning were 0.56, 1.08, 0.91, and 0.64 pigs per litter, respectively. Line differences for weight (33.8 kg) and backfat depth (6.4 mm) at farrowing, lactation feed intake (8.7 kg), weight loss (5.0 kg), and backfat loss (0.87 mm) were observed. Extended wean-to-estrus interval was related to variation in weight, feed intake, and backfat loss in all lines except the GPK347. The GPK347 females farrowed and weaned the largest number of pigs, ate less feed in lactation, and lost more backfat and weight during lactation, yet they had the largest litters and the shortest wean-to-estrus intervals. Line x parity interactions existed for many traits due to small rank changes, but in general, the high- and low-ranked lines did not change. Genetic line differences in reproductive efficiency through four parities exist and must be recognized when choosing a female line.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2004

Breed differences and genetic parameters of myoglobin concentration in porcine longissimus muscle.

An evaluation of porcine longissimus myoglobin concentration was conducted to determine breed and gender differences for myoglobin content, estimate genetic parameters for myoglobin concentration, and determine the relationship between myoglobin content and objective measures of muscle color. Data from centrally tested (n = 255), purebred Yorkshire (42), Duroc (61), Hampshire (17), Chester White (28), Berkshire (67), Poland China (28), and Landrace (12) barrows and gilts from the 1999 National Barrow Show Sire Progeny Test were used. Ultimate pH and Hunter L were measured on the 10th-rib face 24 h postmortem. A section of bone-in loin containing the 10th rib was taken to the Iowa State University Meats Laboratory. At 48 h postmortem, Hunter L, CIE L*, a*, and b*, Japanese color score, and water-holding capacity were measured on the face of the 10th-rib loin chop. A slice from the 10th-rib loin section was evaluated for percentage of i.m. fat. The resulting loin chop was used for the determination of soluble myoglobin concentration (mg/g, wet basis). Chester White, Hampshire, and Duroc pigs had the highest (P < 0.05) myoglobin concentration (0.92, 0.95, and 0.85 mg/g, respectively), whereas Landrace had the lowest (0.62 mg/g; P < 0.05). No gender differences were detected for myoglobin concentration. The heritability estimate for soluble myoglobin concentration was 0.27. Residual correlations between soluble myoglobin and CIE L*, a*, b*, Hunter L (24 h), Hunter L (48 h), and Japanese color score were -0.17, 0.23, -0.15, -0.16, -0.13, and 0.13, respectively. These correlations are low but in the desired direction. The residual correlation between soluble myoglobin and intramuscular fat percent was 0.18. Results show that myoglobin concentration has a moderate heritability and could be used in a selection program to make pork loins darker in color.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

Design and standards for genetic evaluation of swine seedstock populations.

The purpose of this article is to describe a program for evaluation of seedstock populations in the swine industry. Differences among seedstock populations for economically important traits must be identified in order for pork producers to efficiently use available genetic resources. National genetic evaluation programs have the potential to identify the important differences among populations and to increase the rate of genetic improvement in a population. Program results provide performance benchmarks that stimulate testing and selection procedures by seedstock suppliers that further increase the rate of genetic improvement. A Terminal Sire Line Genetic Evaluation Program was designed and conducted in the United States by the National Pork Producers Council (Des Moines, IA) to compare seedstock populations for use in crossbreeding systems. High levels of statistical accuracy for program results were established; the ability to detect differences of 0.25 SD per trait, a power of test of 75%, and a 5% significance level were selected. Pure breeds and breeding company sire lines were nominated for the program. Semen was collected from nominated boars and distributed to cooperating commercial producers during eight 1-wk breeding periods. Pigs were produced in 136 commercial herds and transported to testing facilities at 8 to 23 d of age. Nine of the 11 sire lines originally entered in the program completed the sampling requirements for statistical analysis. High levels of statistical accuracy and a large, representative sample of boars with restrictions on genetic relationships ensured that the program results included unbiased, highly accurate sire line data for growth, carcass, meat quality, and eating quality traits of economic importance. This program has shown commercial producers that they have several choices of sire lines for changing their crossbreeding programs in desired trait areas. Commercial product evaluation must be an ongoing process, and this program serves as a model for future testing and evaluation of diverse genetic seedstock populations.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Serum concentrations of leptin in six genetic lines of swine and relationship with growth and carcass characteristics.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum concentrations of the hormone leptin with growth and carcass traits insix distinct breeds of pigs entered into the 2000 National Barrow Show Sire Progeny Test. Breeds evaluated were Berkshire (n = 131), Chester White (n = 33), Duroc (n = 40), Landrace (n = 23), Poland China (n = 26), and Yorkshire (n = 41). Serum samples were collected and assayed for concentrations of leptin at entry into test (On-Test Leptin) at 34 +/- 6.7 kg of live weight and again 24 h prior to harvest (Off-Test Leptin) at 111 +/- 3.1 kg of live weight. Carcass measurements taken included hot carcass weight, carcass length, backfat, longissimus muscle area (LMA), longissimus pH, Hunter L-value, chemically determined intramuscular fat (IMF), and subjective color, marbling, and firmness scores. Average daily gain, IMF percentages, and water-holding capacity (WHC) were also determined. On-Test Leptin concentrations were not different (P > 0.10) between swine breeds; however, Off-Test Leptin concentrations did differ (P < 0.001) across genotype. Berkshire had the greatest Off-Test Leptin concentrations (6.58 +/- 0.43 ng/mL), and Duroc and Yorkshire had the lowest (3.49 and 3.96 +/- 0.68 ng/mL; respectively). In addition, Off-Test Leptin concentrations were correlated with average daily gain (r = 0.29; P < 0.001), last-rib fat thickness (r = 0.48; P < 0.001), 10th rib backfat (r = 0.52; P < 0.001), LMA (r = -0.33; P < 0.001), percent fat-free carcass lean (r = -0.51; P < 0.001), and WHC (r = 0.15; P < 0.05). Off-Test Leptin concentrations also differed by gender, with barrows having greater (P < 0.001) serum concentrations of leptin than gilts (6.55 +/- 0.48 vs 3.35 +/- 0.44). Differences exist between breeds of pigs in a manner consistent with breed-specific traits for growth, leanness, and quality; thus, leptin may serve as a useful marker for selection or identification of specific growth and carcass traits.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

Genetic parameters and trends for litter traits in U.S. Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, and Landrace pigs.

Records on 251,296 Yorkshire, 75,262 Duroc, 83,338 Hampshire, and 53,234 Landrace litters born between 1984 and April of 1999 in herds on the National Swine Registry Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System were analyzed. Animal model and restricted maximum likelihood procedures were used to estimate variances of animal genetic (a), maternal genetic (m), permanent environmental, and service sire, and the covariances between a and m for number born alive (NBA), litter weight at 21 d (L21WT), and number weaned (NW). Fixed effects of contemporary groups were included in the analysis. Based on a single-trait model, estimates of heritabilities were 0.10, 0.09, 0.08, and 0.08 for NBA; 0.08, 0.07, 0.08, and 0.09 for L21WT; and 0.05, 0.07, 0.05, and 0.05 for NW in the Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, and Landrace breeds, respectively. Estimates of maternal genetic effects were low and ranged from 0.00 to 0.02 for all traits and all breeds. Estimates of permanent environmental effects ranged from 0.03 to 0.08. Estimates of service sire effects ranged from 0.02 to 0.05. A bivariate analysis was used to estimate the genetic correlations among traits. Average genetic correlations over the four breeds were 0.13, 0.15, and 0.71 for NBA with L21WT, NBA with NW, and L21WT with NW, respectively. Average genetic trends were 0.018 pigs/yr, 0.114 kg/yr, and 0.004 pigs/yr for NBA, L21WT, and NW, respectively. Although estimates of heritabilities for litter traits were low and similar across breeds, genetic variances for litter traits were sufficiently large to indicate that litter traits could be improved through selection. This study presents the first set of breed-specific estimates of genetic parameters available from large numbers of field records. It provides information for use in national genetic evaluations.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

Rendement Napole gene effects and a comparison of glycolytic potential and DNA genotyping for classification of Rendement Napole status in Hampshire-sired pigs.

The purpose of the present study was to compare Rendement Napole (RN) classification from glycolytic potential (GP) and DNA techniques, and to study the effect of the RN gene on performance, carcass, muscle quality, and sensory traits. Progeny (N = 118) from the mating of 15 purebred Hampshire sires to York x Landrace females were classified for RN gene status using the GP of the loin and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism sequence methodology. Females mated in the study (N = 32) were considered normal (rn+/rn+) based on a loin GP measurement taken on samples collected by live press biopsy. Progeny were randomly selected for harvest within a litter for each sire. Observed mean, standard deviation, and range of progeny loin GP values were 132.2, 30.7, and 70.0 to 193.0 micromol/g, respectively. The GP data were not normally distributed. Peak numbers of observations occurred between 120 and 129 micromol/g and 160 to 169 micromol/g. Pigs with a loin GP of > 150 micromol/g were classified RN-/rn+ based on the observed valley between the peak values, resulting in 37 pigs classified as RN-/rn+ and 81 pigs classified as rn+/rn+. Using DNA procedures, 81 RN-/rn+ and 37 rn+/rn+ pigs were observed. All classification errors occurred when GP values were < or = 150 micromol/g, with 30 of 44 and 14 of 44 classification errors occurring when loin GP values were between 121 and 150 micromol/g and 70 and 120 micromol/g, respectively. Gene effects, based on DNA results, were evaluated using mixed-model procedures with fixed effects of DNA genotype and gender, and random sire and litter effects. No RN genotype differences for growth rate,10th-rib backfat, or loin muscle area were observed. Loins from the RN-/rn+ pigs had significantly (P < 0.05) lower ultimate pH (0.16 units), greater GP (50.3 micromol/g), greater drip loss (0.93%), paler objective color (L*, 1.66 units), paler visual color (0.31 units), and lower firmness (0.61 units) scores. Additionally, loins from RN-/rn+ pigs had significantly (P < 0.05) lower marbling scores (0.68 units) and intramuscular fat content (0.25%) and greater cooking loss (2.51%). Cooked moisture, juiciness score, and mechanical and sensory tenderness measures did not differ between genotypes. The GP-based classification did not correctly classify RN genotype in the present study, emphasizing the importance of the direct DNA analysis for estimation of gene frequency and effects. The DNA-based genotype results clearly indicate the RN- allele has negative effects on muscle quality measures.

Alleles↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of strategies for selection for lean growth rate in pigs.

Lean growth rate (LGR) in pigs is a nonlinear biological function of growth rate and lean quantity. According to animal breeding theory, genetic progress for LGR is maximized with selection on a linear index of its component traits, but selection on direct EBV for LGR is also common. In this study, the performance of five criteria for selection on estimated LGR in pigs was evaluated through simulation over five generations: linear indexes of multiple-trait EBV of component traits with or without updating index weights in each generation; a nonlinear index of multiple-trait EBV of component traits; and direct selection on EBV for LGR from a single-trait model or a multiple-trait model that included LGR and component traits. The nonlinear index yielded the highest response in LGR in Generation 5, but the linear index with updating performed almost as well. Not updating weights for the linear index reduced response in LGR by 1.1% in Generation 5 (P < 0.05). Direct selection on single-trait EBV for LGR yielded the lowest responses in Generation 5. Direct selection on EBV for LGR from a multiple-trait animal model yielded a 3.1% greater response in LGR in Generation 5 than direct selection on EBV for LGR based on a single-trait animal model (P < 0.05), but yielded a 1.9% lower response than the nonlinear index. Although differences in response in LGR were limited, alternative selection criteria resulted in substantially different responses in component traits. Linear index selection for LGR placed more emphasis on lean quantity, whereas direct selection for LGR emphasized growth rate. Based on the relative changes in the responses in LGR, selection for estimated LGR based on a nonlinear index or a linear index with updating is recommended for use in the swine industry.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

The effect of feeding ractopamine (Paylean) on muscle quality and sensory characteristics in three diverse genetic lines of swine.

The present experiment utilized Berkshire (n = 76), Duroc (n = 81), and high-lean commercial crossbred (n = 75) barrows and gilts with an initial BW of approximately 85.1 kg. Pigs were fed a standard commercial diet (17.6% CP, 1.02% lysine) supplemented with ractopamine hydrochloride at a level of 0 or 10 ppm for 28 d. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, with animals blocked within genetic line according to litter, gender, and weight, for a total of four blocks per genetic line for each treatment. Pigs were harvested at a commercial abattoir and chilled for 24 h at 1 to 4 degrees C. At 24 h postmortem, wetness and firmness scores and ultimate muscle pH were measured in the center of the longissimus muscle (LM) at the 10th to 11th rib interface. Visual and instrumental color and marbling score were measured at 48 h postmortem on a fresh cut LM surface. Percentage of chemically extracted intramuscular fat (IMF) was measured, and a trained sensory panel evaluated cooked LM chops for juiciness, tenderness, and chewiness. Cooking loss (%) and instrumental measurement of tenderness also were measured on cooked LM chops. Ractopamine treatment increased ADG (P < 0.01) and LM area (P < 0.05), but had no effect (P > 0.05) on LM quality, sensory attributes, or instrumental measures of palatability. Berkshire LM received higher tenderness and juiciness (P < 0.05) scores and had lower cooking losses (P < 0.05) and instrumental tenderness (P < 0.05) than LM from the Duroc and high-lean lines. Loins from barrows were firmer (P < 0.05), had lower drip loss percentages (P < 0.05), and received greater tenderness scores (P < 0.05) than the LM from gilts. Genetic line x treatment and gender x treatment interactions were detected for IMF. The LM of Berkshire pigs fed ractopamine had lower (P < 0.05) IMF than Berkshires fed the control diet, with no interaction in the other lines. Purebred barrows (Berkshire and Duroc) had greater (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) IMF than their respective purebred gilts, with no gender difference in IMF in the high-lean line. Results from the present study indicate that feeding ractopamine does not affect most muscle quality and palatability characteristics. However, the genetic line x treatment interaction for loin IMF suggests that feeding ractopamine might reduce IMF within the loin muscle of genetic lines that have a propensity to produce greater levels of IMF.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

Genetic correlations between lean growth and litter traits in U.S. Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, and Landrace pigs.

The objective of this study was to estimate breed-specific genetic correlations between lean growth and litter traits for four U.S. swine breeds. Records for lean growth and litter traits on Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, and Landrace pigs collected between 1990 and April 2000 in herds on the National Swine Registry Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System were analyzed. A bivariate animal model and restricted maximum likelihood procedures were used to estimate genetic and environmental correlations between lean growth rate, days to 113.5 kg, backfat, and loin muscle area with litter traits of number born alive, litter weight at 21 d, and number weaned. Most genetic correlation estimates between lean growth and litter traits were small in magnitude and consistent across breeds. Backfat had the largest within-breed genetic correlations with number born alive (0.18 to 0.20) and litter weight at 21 d (-0.27 to -0.30). Estimates of genetic correlations between lean growth traits and number weaned were very small. Estimates of the environmental correlations between lean growth and litter traits also were very small for all traits and for all four breeds. Results indicate that selection for lean growth traits could have a long-term effect on litter traits. Including lean growth traits in a maternal-line evaluation using a multiple-trait model could increase the accuracy of the genetic evaluation for litter traits.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2002

Prediction of intramuscular fat percentage in live swine using real-time ultrasound.

Purebred Durocs (n = 207) were used to develop a model to predict loin intramuscular fat percentage (PIMF) of the longissimus muscle in live pigs. A minimum of four longitudinal, real-time ultrasound images were collected 7 cm off-midline across the 10th to the 13th ribs on the live animal. A trained technician used texture analysis software to interpret the images and produce 10 image parameters. Backfat and loin muscle area were measured from a cross-sectional image at the 10th rib. After harvest, a slice from the 10th to the 11h rib loin interface was used to determine carcass loin intramuscular fat percentage (CIMF). The model to predict loin intramuscular fat percentage was developed using linear regression analysis with CIMF as the dependent variable. Initial independent variables were off-test weight, live animal ultrasonic 10th rib backfat and loin muscle area, and the 10 image parameters. Independent variables were removed individually until all variables remaining were significant (P < 0.05). The final prediction model included live animal ultrasound backfat and five image parameters. The multiple coefficient of determination and root mean square error for the prediction model were 0.32 and 1.02%, respectively. An independent data set of Duroc (n = 331) and Yorkshire (n = 288) pigs from two replications of the National Pork Board's Genetics of Lean Efficiency Project were used for model validation. Results showed the Duroc pigs provided the beat validation of the model. The product moment correlation and rank correlation coefficients between PIMF and CIMF were 0.60 and 0.56, respectively, in the Duroc population. Results show real-time ultrasound image analysis can be used to predict intramuscular fat percentage in live swine.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2002

Genetic parameters for pork carcass components.

Data from 456 homozygous halothane normal purebred Yorkshire, Duroc, and Other-breed pigs from two national progeny testing and genetic evaluation programs were utilized to estimate genetic parameters for carcass components in pigs. Carcass components were cut and weighed according to Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications. Primal cut weights evaluated included 401 Ham (HAM), 410 Loin (LOIN), 405 Picnic shoulder (PIC), 406 Boston Butt (BB), and 409 Belly (BELLY). Individual muscle weights included the inside (INS), outside (OUT), and knuckle (KNU) muscles of the ham, the longissimus dorsi (LD) and psoas major (TEND) of the loin, and the boneless components of both the Boston Butt (BBUTT) and picnic (BPIC). Muscle weights from each primal were summed to yield a boneless subprimal weight (BHAM, BLOIN, BSHLDR), and all boneless subprimals were summed to yield total primal boneless lean (LEAN). Heritability estimates for HAM, LOIN, and BELLY were 0.57, 0.51, and 0.51, respectively. Heritability estimates for BB and PIC were 0.09 and 0.21, respectively. Heritability estimates for the boneless components of each primal were higher than those for the intact primals. Genetic correlations for HAM, LOIN, and PIC with loin muscle area (LMA) were 0.53, 0.78, and 0.70, respectively, and-0.62, -0.51, and -0.60, respectively, with 10th rib off-midline backfat (BF10). Boneless subprimal components were highly correlated with LEAN. Gilts had heavier weights (P < 0.01) than barrows for all boneless subprimals, individual muscles, LEAN, and for all primal cuts except BELLY. Gilts also had less BF10 and more LMA (P < 0.01) than barrows. Duroc pigs had a heavier (P < 0.01) weight for HAM and PIC when compared to Yorkshires. Yorkshire pigs had more (P < 0.01) LOIN weight than did the Durocs. Results suggest primal, boneless subprimal, and individual muscle weights in pigs should respond favorably to selection.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2002

Correlations among selected pork quality traits.

Establishing relationships among specific quality traits is important if significant progress toward developing improved pork quality is to be realized. As part of a study to examine the individual effects of genes on meat quality traits in pigs, a three-generation resource family was developed. Two Berkshire sires and nine Yorkshire dams were used to produce nine F1 litters. Sixty-five matings were made from the F1 litters to produce four sets of F2 offspring, for a total of 525 F2 animals used in the study. These F2 animals were slaughtered at a commercial facility upon reaching approximately 110 kg. Carcass composition traits, pH measurements, and subjective quality scores were made at 24 h postmortem. Loin samples (n = 525) were collected at 48 h postmortem, and meat quality traits were evaluated. These traits included pH (48 h), Hunter L-values, drip loss, glycolytic potential, ratio of type IIa/IIb myosin heavy chains (IIa/IIb), total lipid, instrumental measures of tenderness using the Star Probe attachment of the Instron, cook loss measurements, and sensory evaluations. Significant phenotypic correlations were found between many carcass, instrumental, and biochemical measurements, and sensory quality traits. Star Probe measurements were significantly correlated with drip loss (0.29), glycolytic potential (0.30), pH (-0.29), total lipid (-0.14), and Hunter L-values (0.28). Drip loss was significantly correlated with glycolytic potential (0.36), pH (-0.28), IIa/IIb (-0.10), and Hunter L-values (0.33). Hunter L-values were also significantly correlated with total lipid (0.33) and IIa/ IIb (-0.11). Sensory tenderness, flavor, and off-flavor scores were significantly correlated with drip loss, pH, and glycolytic potential measurements. Marbling score, total lipid, and drip loss were not significantly correlated with sensory juiciness scores, but cooking loss was. Marbling and total lipid were significantly correlated with firmness scores (0.37 and 0.31, respectively). Taken together, the data in this study suggest that changes in some meat quality traits can affect many other meat quality attributes. The correlations yield information that could aid in directing future studies aimed at understanding the underlying biological mechanisms behind the development of many quality traits.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Genetic parameters and trends for lean growth rate and its comvonents in U.S. Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, and Landrace pigs.

Records on 361,300 Yorkshire, 154,833 Duroc, 99,311 Hampshire, and 71,097 Landrace pigs collected between 1985 and April of 2000 in herds on the National Swine Registry Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System were analyzed. Animal model and REML procedures were used to estimate random effects of animal genetic, common litter, maternal genetic, and the covariances between animal and maternal for lean growth rate (LGR), days to 113.5 kg (DAYS), backfat adjusted to 113.5 kg (BF), and loin eye area adjusted to 113.5 kg (LEA). Fixed effects of contemporary group and sex were also in the statistical model. Based on the single-trait model, estimates of heritabilities were 0.44, 0.44, 0.46, and 0.39 for LGR; 0.35, 0.40, 0.44, and 0.40 for DAYS; 0.48, 0.48, 0.49, and 0.48 for BF; and 0.33, 0.32, 0.35, and 0.31 for LEA in the Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, and Landrace breeds, respectively. Estimates of maternal genetic effects were low and ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 for all traits across breeds. Estimates of common litter effects ranged from 0.07 to 0.16. A bivariate analysis was used to estimate the genetic correlations between lean growth traits. Average genetic correlations over four breeds were -0.83, -0.37, 0.44, -0.07, 0.08, and -0.37 for LGR with DAYS, BF, and LEA, DAYS with BF and LEA, and BF with LEA, respectively. Average genetic trends were 2.35 g/yr, -0.40 d/yr, -0.39 mm/yr, and 0.37 cm2/yr for LGR, DAYS, BF, and LEA, respectively. Results indicate that selection based on LGR can improve leanness and growth rate simultaneously and can be a useful biological selection criterion.

Adipose Tissue↗