Influence of sire line and halothane genotype on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in pigs
2000
Miller, K.D. | Ellis, M. | McKeith, F.K. | Wilson, E.R.
Progeny of three commercial sire lines mated to the same halothane negative crossbreed dam line were compared for growth, carcass and meat quality characteristics. Sire line A (halothane reactor) produced halothane carrier progeny; line C was halothane negative and produced negative progeny; line B (a cross between lines A and C) was a halothane carrier line that produced both carrier (BNn) and negative (BNN) progeny within the same litter. Line A pigs grew more slowly (P less than or equal to 0.05) and consumed less feed (P less than or equal to 0.05) than the progeny of the other lines (885, 1049, 1057 and 1082 g d-1 and 2.37, 2.82, 2.72 and 2.79 kg d-1 for lines a, BNN, BNn and C respectively). However, gain:feed was similar for all lines. Dressing percentage was similar for lines A, BNn and BNN (77.42, 77.62 and 77.00% respectively) but lower for line C (75.31%: P less than or equal to 0.05). Line differences for linear carcass measurements, lean cut yield and fat-free lean content were relatively small. Line A had higher shear force than the others (4.32, 3.21, 3.57, and 3.30 kg for A, BNN, BNn and C, respectively; P less than or equal to 0.05) and lines A and BNn had reduced taste panel tenderness and juiciness (P less than or equal to 0.05) compared with lines BNN and C. This study highlights commercially important differences between sire lines for pork quality traits. the variation in pork quality within this study resulted from the halothane gene and, potentially, other single genes that affect meat quality parameters.
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