Study on distribution and effects of halothane gene in swine

Study on distribution and effects of halothane gene was performed on 944 Duroc, Large White and Landrace with the halothane test. The frequency of positive reaction among Landrace was 3.46 percent and there was no positive reaction among Duroc and Large White Production, carcass characteristics and meat quality traits were evaluated on 18 Landrace with different halothane reaction, to compare between halothane positive, halothane doubtful and halothane negative. Average day gain (ADG) and feed intake (FI) of halothane positive was significantly (P0.05) lower than halothane doubtful and halothane negative. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed no significant difference between the halothane groups. The halothane positive pigs attained market day later than halothane negative but halothane doubtful was intermediate to halothane positive and halothane negative. The carcass characteristics has been found that halothane positive pigs had significantly (P0.01) higher dressing percentage but shorter carcass length (P0.01) and lower fat depth (P0.05) than halothane doubtful and halothane negative pigs. The halothane positive and halothane doubtful pigs had significantly (P0.05) higher Loin eye area than halothane negative pigs. There was no significant difference in lean and bone percentage. The halothane positive pigs had significantly (P0.01) higher ham percentage than halothane doubtful and halothane negative. Fat and skin and intramuscular fat in halothane negative and halothane doubtful pigs was significantly (P0.01) lower than halothane negative pigs. The muscle pH at 45 min and 24 hrs post mortem in halothane negative pigs was significantly (P0.05) higher than halothane doubtful and halothane negative pigs. The halothane negative pigs had significantly (P0.01) higher muscle color and water holding capacity than halothane doubtful and halothane positive pigs. Drip loss percentage in halothane negative pigs was significantly (P0.01) lower than halothane doubtful and halothane negative pigs.