Este trabalho foi desenvolvido para avaliar o efeito da suplementação com ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e qualidade de carne de bovinos de diferentes predisposições genéticas para deposição de gordura intramuscular (GIM). Foram utilizados 60 machos não-castrados, dos quais 30 Nelore (NE) e 30 cruzados Nelore x Aberdeen Angus (NA), com uma média de 363 ± 28 kg de peso vivo inicial e 24 meses de idade. Os animais foram designados a um delineamento em blocos casualizados (peso vivo inicial) com um arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 (dieta e grupo genético), usando 15 repetições por tratamentos. Os animais foram alimentados durante 133 dias com uma das seguintes dietas: CO - dieta controle, sem adição de óleo de soja; OS - dieta controle contendo 3,5% de óleo de soja em substituição ao milho grão moído. Foi analisado o ganho médio diário (GMD), a eficiência alimentar (EA), a ingestão de matéria seca (IMS) e o peso vivo animal. No abate, foi avaliado o peso (PCQ) e o rendimento (RCQ) de carcaça quente, bem como a área de olho de lombo (AOL), a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS) e o escore de marmorização da carne. Amostras do músculo Longissimus foram utilizadas para avaliação da força de cisalhamento (CS), comprimento de sarcômero, análise sensorial e metaboloma da carne, bem como a vida útil e oxidação lipídica e o perfil de ácidos graxos e sua implicação na saúde humana. Todos os dados foram analisados utilizando o procedimento MIXED do software SAS. Não houve interação entre dieta e grupo genético para a maioria das características avaliadas, de modo que seus efeitos podem ser considerados separadamente. Animais alimentados com a dieta OS apresentou maior GMD (P = 0,0392) e EA (P = 0,0020) sem modificar a IMS e as características de carcaça quando comparado aos alimentados com a dieta CO. Não houve efeito da dieta em relação à FC e a cor da carne, porém a carne dos animais alimentados com OS apresentaram menores notas de aceitação geral (P < 0,0001), maciez (P < 0,0001) e suculência (P = 0,0009), além de uma tendência de menores notas de sabor (P = 0,0533) quando comparados aos animais CO. Não houve efeito da dieta sobre a quantidade de GIM, porém a carne de animais alimentados com a dieta OS tiveram menor proporção dos ácidos graxos da família n3 (P = 0,0287), reduzindo também a relação n-6:n-3 (P = 0,0256) e o índice de qualidade (P = 0,0133) da carne para a saúde humana. Em relação ao grupo genético, os animais NA tiveram maior IMS (P = 0,0479) e tenderam a ter maior GMD (P = 0,0907) e peso vivo ao abate (P = 0,0596) do que animais NE, sem alterar a EA e qualquer característica de carcaça. Não houve efeito do grupo genético em relação à FC, porém a carne dos animais NE apresentaram maiores notas de aceitação geral (P = 0,0440) e sabor (P = 0,0444) do que as dos animais NA. A carne de animais NE apresentaram maiores valores de L* (P = 0,0003) e b* (P = 0,0023) e, consequentemente, maiores valores de croma (P = 0,0358) e ângulo de inclinação (P = 0,0073) comparados à carne de animais NA. Não houve efeito do grupo genético sobre a quantidade de GIM, além de nenhuma modificação na proporção de ácidos graxos. Além disso, o metaboloma da carne foi modificado (P < 0,10) tanto pela dieta quanto pelo grupo genético em 8 e 15 metabólitos, dos 31 identificados, respectivamente. Isoleucina, glicerol, carnitina e betaína tiveram maior concentração na carne de animais alimentados com OS, enquanto que glutamina, glutamato, carnosina e fumarato foram mais presentes no grupo CO. Por outro lado, acetato, succinato, glutamato, colina, glicose, carnosina, acetil-carnosina, glicerato, anserina e inosina monofosfato tiveram maior concentração na carne de animais NE, enquanto que isoleucina, alanina, metionina, creatinina e glicina foram mais presentes na carne de animais NA. Em conclusão, a suplementação com AGPI melhora os índices de desempenho, mas piora as características sensoriais e o índice de qualidade da carne para a saúde humana, independentemente do grupo genético alimentado. Do mesmo modo, a utilização de animais NA melhora os índices de desempenho, mas piora as características sensoriais da carne, enquanto que o grupo genético tem efeitos mínimos sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos da carne e consequentemente não altera a saudabilidade da carne, independentemente da dieta ofertada. Além disso, a partir dos resultados do metaboloma da carne pode-se sugerir que a quantidade de alguns metabólitos, como a carnosina e o glutamato, pode estar relacionada com mudanças na avaliação sensorial do consumidor, principalmente em relação ao sabor da carne. / This work was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on performance, carcass traits, meat quality attributes and meat metabolome of cattle from different genetic predispositions for intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition. Sixty non-castrated animals, 30 Nellore (NE) and 30 crossbred Nellore x Angus (NA), with an average of 363 ± 28 kg initial body weight and 24 months old, were used in this study. The animals were assigned to a randomized complete block design (initial body weight), with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (diet and genetic group), using 15 replicates per treatment. They were evaluated in a 133-d feeding study with one of the following diets: CO - control diet without soybean oil inclusion; SO - control diet containing 3.5% soybean oil inclusion replacing the ground corn grain. Average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (G:F), dry matter intake (DMI), and body weight were evaluated. At slaughter, hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage (DP), Longissimus muscle area (LMA), backfat thickness (BFT), and meat marbling score were also evaluated. Samples from Longissimus muscle were used to evaluate the shear force (SC), length of sarcomere, sensorial analysis and meat metabolome were evaluated, as well as shelf life, lipid oxidation, and fatty acid profile and their implication in human health. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS software. There was no diet x genetic group interaction for most traits evaluated, so their effects can be considered separately. In relation to the diet, SO treatment increased ADG (P = 0.0392) and G:F (P = 0.0020) without modifying the DMI and any carcass traits when compared to the CO treatment. There was no effect of the diet in relation to the meat SF and color, but the meat from animals fed SO had lower grades for overall liking (P < 0.0001), tenderness (P < 0.0001) and juiciness (P = 0.0009), besides a trend for lower flavor scores (P = 0.0533) when compared to animals fed CO. No effect of the diet on the amount of IMF was observed, but the meat of animals fed SO diet had a reduction in the proportion of n-3 fatty acids (P = 0.0287), also reducing the n-6: n-3 ratio (P = 0.0256) and the meat quality index (P = 0.0133) for human health. In relation to the genetic group, NA animals had higher IMS (P = 0.0479) and tended to have higher ADG (P = 0.0907) and body weight at slaughter (P = 0.0596) than NE animals, without modifying G:F and any characteristic evaluated in the carcass. No effect of the genetic group on the SF was observed, but the meat from NE animals had higher ratings for overall liking (P = 0.0440) and flavor (P = 0.0444) when compared to the NA animals. In addition, the meat from NE animals had higher values of L* (P = 0.0003) and b* (P = 0.0023) and, consequently, higher values of chroma (P = 0.0358) and hue angle (P = 0.0073) compared to meat from NA animals. There was no effect of the genetic group on the amount of IMF, without any modification in the proportion of fatty acids. Moreover, the meat metabolome was modified (P < 0.10) by both the diet and the genetic group in 8 and 15 metabolites of the 31 identified, respectively. Isoleucine, glycerol, carnitine and betaine had higher concentrations in the meat from animals fed SO, whereas glutamine, glutamate, carnosine and fumarate were in greater concentration in the CO meat. On the other hand, acetate, succinate, glutamate, choline, glucose, carnosine, acetyl-carnosine, glycerate, anserine and inosine monophosphate had higher concentrations in NE meat, whereas isoleucine, alanine, methionine, creatinine and glycine were in greater concentration in the NA meat. In conclusion, PUFA supplementation improves performance rates, but it worsens the sensory characteristics and meat quality index for human health, regardless of the fed genetic group. Similarly, using NA animals improves the performance rates, but it worsens the sensorial characteristics of the meat, whereas the genetic group has minimal effects on the fatty acid profile of the meat and consequently does not alter the healthiness of the meat, regardless of the diet offered. Moreover, from the meat metabolome data, it can be suggested that the amount of some metabolites, such as carnosine and glutamate, may be related to changes in the sensorial evaluation of the consumer, especially in relation to the meat flavor.

[ES] El objetivo de la Tesis fue investigar los mecanismos genéticamente determinados involucrados en la deposición de grasa intramuscular (GIM) usando 2 líneas divergentes de GIM (A y B) en el músculo Longissimus thoracis et Lumborum (LTL) de conejos. Consta de cinco estudios que evalúan el rol del huésped y el microbioma usando análisis metabolómicos y metagenómicos. La respuesta a la selección en la 10ma generación fue 0,49g GIM/100g LTL, equivalente a 3,8 desviaciones estándar (DE). Se obtuvo una respuesta correlacionada positiva en la grasa de la canal y cambios en los ácidos grasos (AG) del LTL, con mayor contenido de saturados (A-B= 5,05g/100g GIM) y monoinsaturados (A-B= 5,04g/100g GIM) en la línea A. No hubo diferencia en la grasa del hígado, pero sí en sus AG, como el menor C15:0 (A-B= -0,04g/100g lípidos) y C17:0 (A-B= -0,09g/100g lípidos) en la línea A, que podría deberse a diferente digestión microbiana. El análisis metabolómico del plasma encontró 393 metabolitos diferenciales con 95% precisión clasificatoria y 383 metabolitos con ajuste linear a GIM con 65% capacidad predictiva, de los cuales 322 coincidían con diferencias entre -6,04 y +1,97 DE. Los lípidos fueron mayores en la línea B (ej. triglicéridos, ácidos biliares secundarios (AB-2º), AG) y la carnitina fue menor, sugiriendo mayor absorción intestinal y menor captación y almacenamiento, posiblemente relacionada con menor ß-oxidación de AG. Entre los aminoácidos, destacaron los de cadena ramificada (BCAA) y aromáticos (AAA) indicando menor degradación intestinal de BCAA en la línea A seguida de mayor catabolismo del huésped, y una compleja interacción huésped-microbioma en el metabolismo de los AAA. El análisis metagenómico del ciego confirmó la relevancia del microbioma en la deposición de GIM, con cambios en composición y funcionalidad. El análisis de la composición definió 2 enterotipos con 51 géneros microbianos y 91% precisión clasificatoria: el enterotipo A enriquecido en Hungateiclostridium, Limosilactobacillus, Legionella, Lysinibacillus, Phorphyromonas, Methanosphaera y Desulfovibrio y el enterotipo B en Escherichia, Fonticella, Candidatus Amulumruptor, Methanobrevicater, Exiguobacterium, Flintibacter y Coprococcus. Un balance composicional se propuso como biomarcador para predecir la predisposición genética a la deposición de GIM, compuesto por 26 géneros microbianos con 93% precisión clasificatoria y 69% capacidad predictiva. El análisis de funcionalidad encontró 240 genes microbianos (GM) diferenciales con 95% precisión clasificatoria y 230 GM con ajuste linear a GIM con 79% capacidad predictiva, de los cuales 122 GM coincidían con diferencias entre -0,75 y +0,73 DE. Mayor biosíntesis de lipopolisacáridos y peptidoglicanos, asociado al desarrollo de masa grasa, biosíntesis de AAA, asociado a trastornos relacionados a la deposición grasa, y conversión de propionato a acetato, relacionado con mayor lipogénesis en el hígado y menor síntesis de C15:0 y C17:0, se encontró en la línea A. Además, se encontró mayor degradación de BCAA en la línea B, asociado con menor síntesis de triglicéridos en el hígado. El análisis metabolómico del ciego encontró 142 metabolitos diferenciales con 99% precisión clasificatoria y diferencias entre -1,03 y +1,19 DE; 156 relacionados con GIM en la línea A con 61% capacidad predictiva; y 107 relacionados con GIM en la línea B con 57% capacidad predictiva. Diferencias en el metabolismo de las purinas podrían sugerir mayor eficiencia energética y en la utilización del nitrógeno en la línea B, y diferencias en AB-2º, AAA y BCAA fueron consistentes con los resultados anteriores. Un balance composicional se propuso como biomarcador compuesto por 2 AB-2º y 2 subproductos de las proteínas, con 88% de precisión clasificatoria, sugiriendo que la interacción entre absorción lipídica y metabolismo de proteínas de la dieta influyen en la GIM. De validarse, podría usarse para predecir la predisposición genética a la deposición de GIM. / [CA] L'objectiu de la Tesi va ser investigar els mecanismes genèticament determinats involucrats en la deposició de greix intramuscular (GIM) usant 2 línies divergents de GIM (A i B) en el múscul Longissimus thoracis et Lumborum (LTL) de conills. Consta de cinc estudis que avaluen el rol de l'hoste i el microbioma usant anàlisi metabolòmicos i metagenòmicos. La resposta a la selecció en la 10ma generació va ser 0,49g GIM/100g LTL, equivalent a 3,8 desviacions estàndard (DE) . Es va obtindre una resposta correlacionada positiva en el greix de la canal i canvis en els àcids grassos (AG) del LTL, amb major contingut de saturats (A-B = 5,05g/100g GIM) i monoinsaturats (A-B = 5,04g/100g GIM) en la línia A. No va haver-hi diferència en el greix del fetge, però sí en els seus AG, com el menor C15:0 (A-B = -0,04g/100g lípids) i C17:0 (A-B = -0,09g/100g lípids) en la línia A, que podria deure's a diferent digestió microbiana. L'anàlisi metabolómico del plasma va trobar 393 metabòlits diferencials amb 95% precisió classificatòria i 383 metabòlits amb ajust linear a GIM amb 65% capacitat predictiva, dels quals 322 coincidien amb diferències entre -6,04 i 1,97 DE. Els lípids van ser majors en la línia B (ex. triglicèrids, àcids biliars secundaris (AB- 2º), AG) i la carnitina va ser menor, suggerint major absorció intestinal i menor captació i emmagatzematge, possiblement relacionada amb menor ß-oxidació d'AG. Entre els aminoàcids, van destacar els de cadena ramificada (BCAA) i aromàtics (AAA) indicant menor degradació intestinal de BCAA en la línia A seguida de major catabolisme de l'hoste, i una complexa interacció hoste-microbioma en el metabolisme dels AAA. L'anàlisi metagenòmico del cec va confirmar la rellevància del microbioma en la deposició de GIM, amb canvis en composició i funcionalitat. L'anàlisi de la composició va definir 2 enterotipos amb 51 gèneres microbians i 91% precisió classificatòria: el enterotipo A enriquit en Hungateiclostridium, Limosilactobacillus, Legionel·la, Lysinibacillus, Phorphyromonas, Methanosphaera i Desulfovibrio i el enterotipo B en Escherichia, Fonticella, Candidatus Amulumruptor, Methanobrevicater, Exiguobacterium, Flintibacter i Coprococcus. Un balanç composicional es va proposar com biomarcador per a predir la predisposició genètica a la deposició de GIM, compost per 26 gèneres microbians amb 93% precisió classificatòria i 69% capacitat predictiva. L'anàlisi de funcionalitat va trobar 240 gens microbians (GM) diferencials amb 95% precisió classificatòria i 230 GM amb ajust linear a GIM amb 79% capacitat predictiva, dels quals 122 GM coincidien amb diferències entre -0,75 i 0,73 DE. Major biosíntesi de lipopolisacàrids i peptidoglicans, associat al desenvolupament de massa grassa, biosíntesi de AAA, associat a trastorns relacionats a la deposició grassa, i conversió de propionat a acetat, relacionat amb major lipogènesis en el fetge i menor síntesi de C15:0 i C17:0, es va trobar en la línia A. A més, es va trobar major degradació de BCAA en la línia B, associat amb menor síntesi de triglicèrids en el fetge. L'anàlisi metabolòmico del cec va trobar 142 metabòlits diferencials amb 99% precisió classificatòria i diferències entre -1,03 i 1,19 DE; 156 relacionats amb GIM en la línia A amb 61% capacitat predictiva; i 107 relacionats amb GIM en la línia B amb 57% capacitat predictiva. Diferències en el metabolisme de les purins podrien suggerir major eficiència energètica i en la utilització del nitrogen en la línia B, i diferències en AB-2º, AAA i BCAA van ser consistents amb els resultats anteriors. Un balanç composicional es va proposar com biomarcador compost per 2 AB-2º i 2 subproductes de les proteïnes, amb 88% de precisió classificatòria, suggerint que la interacció entre absorció lipídica i metabolisme de proteïnes de la dieta influeixen en la GIM. De validar-se, podria usar-se per a predir la predisposició genètica a la deposició de GIM. / [EN] The Thesis aimed to study the genetically determined mechanisms involved in intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition, using two lines divergently selected for IMF in Longissimus thoracis et Lumborum (LTL) muscle of rabbits (H and L lines). It comprises five studies focused on studying the host and microbiome roles using metabolomics and metagenomics approaches. The response to selection in the 10th generation was 0.49g IMF/100g LTL, equivalent to 3.8 standard deviations (SD). Selection led to a positive correlated response in carcass adiposity, and to changes in the fatty acids (FA) of LTL, showing greater saturated (H-L= 5.05g/100g IMF) and monounsaturated FA (H-L= 5.04g/100g IMF) in the H line. No differences were found in liver fat, but they were found in its FA profile, being the most notorious the lower C15:0 (H-L= -0.04g/100g lipids) and C17:0 (H-L= -0.09g/100g lipids) in the H line, which could be due to different microbial digestion. The plasma metabolomics analysis identified 393 differential metabolites with 95% classification accuracy, and 383 metabolites with linear adjustment to IMF and 65% prediction ability, from which 322 overlapped with differences ranging from -6.04 to +1.97 SD. Lipids were greater in the L line (e.g., triglycerides, secondary bile acids, FA) while carnitine was lower, suggesting greater intestinal lipids absorption in the L line, followed by their lower uptake and storage, possibly related to lower FA ß oxidation. Among amino acids, branched-chain (BCAA) and aromatic (AAA) stood out, indicating lower BCAA gut degradation in the H line followed by greater host catabolism, and a complex host-microbiome AAA metabolism. The caecum metagenomics analysis confirmed the microbial relevance in IMF development, identifying changes in its composition and functionality. The microbial composition analysis defined two enterotypes with 51 microbial genera and 91% classification accuracy. The H-enterotype was enriched in Hungateiclostridium, Limosilactobacillus, Legionella, Lysinibacillus, Phorphyromonas, Methanosphaera and Desulfovibrio, and the L-enterotype in Escherichia, Fonticella, Candidatus Amulumruptor, Methanobrevicater, Exiguobacterium, Flintibacter and Coprococcus. A compositional balance was proposed as biomarker to predict the genetic predisposition to IMF deposition, composed of 26 microbial genera, with 93% classification accuracy and 69% prediction ability. The microbial functionality analysis identified 240 differential microbial genes (MG) with 95% classification accuracy, and 230 MG with linear adjustment to IMF and 79% prediction ability, from which 122 overlapped with differences ranging from -0.75 to +0.73 SD and related to numerous metabolisms. In the H line, greater lipopolysaccharides and peptidoglycans biosynthesis, related to fat-mass development, AAA biosynthesis, related to associated disorders of increased fat deposition, and propionate to acetate conversion, related to greater liver lipogenesis and lower C15:0 and C17:0 synthesis, were found. Additionally, greater BCAA degradation was found in the L line, related to lower triglycerides synthesis in the liver. The caecum metabolomics analysis identified 142 differential metabolites with 99% classification accuracy and differences ranging from -1.03 to +1.19 SD; 156 related to IMF in the H line with 61% prediction ability; and 107 related to IMF in the L line with 57% prediction ability. Differences found in purine metabolism could suggest greater energy and nitrogen utilization efficiencies in the L line, while those in secondary bile acids, AAA and BCAA were consistent with the previous results. A compositional balance composed of two secondary bile acids and two proteins by-products with 88% classification accuracy was proposed as biomarker, suggesting that the interaction between lipids absorption and dietary proteins metabolism influences IMF. If validated, it could be used to predict the genetic predisposition to IMF deposition. / Zubiri Gaitán, A. (2024). Intramuscular Fat Deposition in Rabbits: Insights into Host-Microbiome Biological Mechanisms [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/202875

Um Leistungsniveau, systematische Effekte und phänotypische Korrelationen zu schätzen, wurden bei 276 Weidekälbern verschiedener Genotypen aus der Mutterkuhhaltung (Material I) Merkmale der Fleischleistung und der Fleisch¬qualität erfasst und ausgewertet. Neben den Identitäts- und Lebensdaten der Tiere wurden die folgenden Merkmale der Fleischleistung einbezogen: Alter beim Schlachten, Lebendgewicht, Lebenstagszunahme, Schlachtkörper¬gewicht, Nettozunahme sowie die Komponenten der Handelsklasse, also Fleischigkeitsklasse und Fettgewebeklasse. / In order to estimate performance level, systematic effects and phenotypic correlations, characteristics of meat performance and meat quality were recorded and analysed in 276 weaning calves of different genotypes from cow-calf operations (material I). In addition to identity and basic life data, the following characteristics of meat performance were included: age at slaughter, live weight, daily gain, carcass weight, net gain as well as the components of the carcass grade, grade for meatiness and grade for fat¬ness. The following characteristics of meat quality were measured on the meat probes 48 hours and 14 days resp. after slaughter: pH-value (pH1, pH2), meat colour with lightness L* (L*1, L*2) redness a* (a*1, a*2) and yellowness b* (b*1, b*2), Warner-Bratzler shearforce raw (WBS1, WBS2) and cooked (WBS3) as well as intramuscular fat content (IMF).

Knochen und Muskel sind die wichtigsten Gewebe im muskuloskelettalen System welche dem Körper die Bewegungen möglich machen. Beide Gewebetypen sind hochgradig strukturierter Extrazellulärmatrix zugrundegelegt, welche die mechanischen und biologischen Funktionen bestimmen. In dieser Studie wurden die räumliche Verteilung der anisotropen elastischen Eigenschaften und der Gewebemineralisation im humanen kortikalen Femur untersucht mit akustischer Mikroskopie und Synchrotron-µCT. Die homogenisierten elastischen Eigenschaften wurden aus einer Kombination der Porosität und der Gewebeelastizitätsmatrix mit Hilfe eines asymptotischen Homogenisierungsmodells ermittelt. Der Einfluss der Gewebemineralisierung und der Strukturparameter auf die mikroskopischen und mesoskopischen elastischen Koeffizienten wurde unter Berücksichtigung der anatomischen Position des Femurschaftes untersucht. Es wurde ein Modell entwickelt, mit welchem der intramuskuläre Fettgehalt des porcinen musculus longissimus nichtinvasiv mittels quantitativem Ultraschall und dessen spektraler Analyze des Echosignals bestimmt werden kann. Muskelspezifische Parameter wie Dämpfung, spectral slope, midband fit, apparent integrated backscatter und cepstrale Paramter wurden aus den RF-Signalen extrahiert. Die Einflüsse der Muskelkomposition und Strukturparameter auf die spektralen Ultraschallparameter wurden untersucht. Die akustischer Parameter werden durch die Muskelfaserorientierung beeinflusst und weisen höhere Werte parallel zur Faserlängsrichtung als senkrecht zur Faserorientierung auf. Die in dieser Studie gewonnenen detaillierten und lokal bestimmten Knochendaten können möglicherweise als Eingabeparameter für numerische 3D FE-Simulationen. Darüber hinaus kann die Untersuchung von Veränderungen der lokalen Gewebeanisotropie neue Einsichten in Studien über Knochenumbildung geben. Diese auf Gewebeebene bestimmten Daten von Muskelgewebe können in numerischen Simulationen von akustischer Rückstreuung genutzt werden um diagnostische Methoden und Geräte zu verbessern. / Bone and muscle are the most important tissues in the musculoskeletal system that gives the ability to move the body. Both tissues have the highly oriented underlying extracellular matrix structure for performing mechanical and biological functions. In this study, the spatial distribution of anisotropic elastic properties and tissue mineralization within a human femoral cortical bone shaft were investigated using scanning acoustic microscopy and synchrotron radiation µCT. The homogenized meoscopic elastic properties were determined by a combination of porosity and tissue elastic matrix using a asymptotic homogenization model. The impact on tissue mineralization and structural parameters of the microscopic and mesocopic elastic coefficients was analyzed with respect to the anatomical location of the femoral shaft. A model was developed to estimate intramuscular fat of porcine musculus longissimus non-invasively using a quantitative ultrasonic device by spectral analysis of ultrasonic echo signals. Muscle specific acoustic parameters, i.e. attenuation, spectral slope, midband fit, apparent integrated backscatter, and cepstral parameters were extracted from the measured RF echoes. The impact of muscle composition and structural properties on ultrasonic spectral parameters was analyzed. The ultrasound propagating parameters were affected by the muscle fiber orientation. The most dominant direction dependency was found for the attenuation. The detailed locally assessed bone data in this study may serve as a real-life input for numerical 3D FE simulation models. Moreover, the assessment of changes of local tissue anisotropy may provide new insights into the bone remodelling studies. The data provided at tissue level and investigated ultrasound backscattering from muscle tissue, can be used in numerical simulation FE models for acoustical backscattering from muscle for the further improvement of diagnostic methods and equipment.

No description available.