Myosin heavy chain isoforms account for variation in pork quality

J M Eggert; F F S Depreux; A P Schinckel; A L Grant; D E Gerrard

doi:10.1016/s0309-1740(01)00154-1

Myosin heavy chain isoforms account for variation in pork quality

Meat Sci. 2002 Jun;61(2):117-26. doi: 10.1016/s0309-1740(01)00154-1.

Authors

J M Eggert¹, F F S Depreux, A P Schinckel, A L Grant, D E Gerrard

Affiliation

¹ Cotswold International, PO Box 897, Demotte, IN 46310-0897, USA.

PMID: 22064000
DOI: 10.1016/s0309-1740(01)00154-1

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms (I, IIB, IIA and IIX) on pork quality traits of halothane (HAL)-negative (NN) and halothane-carrier (Nn) pigs. Gilts (n=32) were assigned to a 2×2 factorial of genetic population (GP) and slaughter weight (WT; 120 and 135 kg). Classical meat quality characteristics were collected and MyHC content was determined on muscle samples. Regression equations for pork quality and carcass composition traits were determined. Only I/IIB accounted for variation in drip loss of NN gilts (R(2)=0.18), while GP related to drip loss in Nn gilts (R(2)=0.70). Type I MyHC content explained variation in ultimate (24 h) muscle pH of NN gilts (R(2)=0.09), while I/IIB, I/IIX and IIB/IIX were significant for Nn gilts (R(2)=0.99). I/IIA, I/IIX, IIB/IIX and GP accounted for variation in Hunter Color a (redness) values of NN gilts (R(2)=0.69), while IIB, IIA, IIB/IIA and GP were significant for Nn gilts (R(2)=0.97). Overall, fiber type composition accounts for a larger proportion of variation in the quality traits of Nn compared to NN gilts.