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Millions of pounds of venison are harvested each year in the United States. Over 12,000,000 pounds of dressed venison are harvested during the regular season each year in the State of Utah. The hunters of venison contribute approximately 10 1/2 billion dollars to the economy of the state for licenses, lodging, transportation, and other expense of hunting. In many cases this source of meat is a significant part of the household meat supply. Venison is often wasted, however, because of its undesirable flavor. The lack of knowledge as to the causes of variation in venison flavor has prompted this study. Research into tho causes of variation in venison flavor can contribute significantly to the problems of undesirable flavors and waste by determining the cause and distribution of factors which are responsible for these variations. This primary basic information may aid the hunter in his selection of animals to harvest. Suggestions as to age, sex, season of harvest, and physical condition of the animal may be applicable.

Three interrelated genes postulated to affect economically important traits related to growth and/or carcass quality of beef cattle were chosen to characterize and perform association analyses for this study. Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and agouti related protein (AGRP) play an integral role in the appetite pathway and in fat deposition.<p> We genotyped 328 crossbred steers of various coat colours that were purchased at weaning and fed until slaughter for the previously published alleles ED, E+ and e. The E+ allele was present at five percent in this population and therefore was not included in further analysis. Black cattle of ED/ED or ED/e genotype had increased backfat (P<0.05) and required significantly fewer days (15-25) (P<0.01) on feed to reach a target fat level for slaughter compared to the red cattle. Red cattle of e/e genotype were found to have significantly larger longissimus dorsi (l. dorsi) area, shipping weight and hot carcass weight. Subsequent analysis revealed that the differences were comparable whether black versus red coat colour or MC1R genotype was used as the criteria for the group of cattle.<p> MC4R sequence was obtained from 20 random crossbred steers. In addition to several previously published polymorphisms, a novel Ser330Asn polymorphism was detected. A population of 382 crossbred Canadian steers and 985 crossbred American steers was genotyped for this Ser330Asn polymorphism. A minor allele frequency of 0.01 was observed in the Canadian and 0.02 in the American steer populations. No homozygous g.989AA cattle were detected. In the Canadian population, heterozygous steers had increased grade fat (P=0.036) and decreased lean meat yield (P=0.032). Similarly in the American population, steers of the g.989GA genotype had increased backfat (P=0.031) and less desirable yield grades (P=0.022,) but also lower ribeye area measurements (P=0.031). These results suggest that genotyping for the Ser330Asn polymorphism may lead to increased quality of carcasses either through lean meat production or backfat measurements, depending on the goal of the beef operation.<p> Sequence data obtained from 38 Bos taurus beef cattle, 4 Holsteins and 4 Bos indicus cattle revealed six polymorphisms in the AGRP gene. No polymorphisms that altered amino acids were detected in Bos taurus cattle. Genotyping of 382 crossbred beef steers was performed for two polymorphisms, an intronic deletion (g.439_440delTC) and a base pair substitution in exon 4 that did not alter an amino acid (g.715G>A). An ANOVA analysis, using PROC Mixed, was performed for both polymorphisms on several growth and carcass traits. No significant differences were observed.<p> Polymorphisms in MC1R and MC4R could be used as genetic tests which may be beneficial for beef producers in North America. The significant differences observed in this study in relation to cattle growth and fat deposition would represent savings for producers when used for sorting feedlot cattle or in selection of breeding cattle.

Three interrelated genes postulated to affect economically important traits related to growth and/or carcass quality of beef cattle were chosen to characterize and perform association analyses for this study. Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and agouti related protein (AGRP) play an integral role in the appetite pathway and in fat deposition.<p> We genotyped 328 crossbred steers of various coat colours that were purchased at weaning and fed until slaughter for the previously published alleles ED, E+ and e. The E+ allele was present at five percent in this population and therefore was not included in further analysis. Black cattle of ED/ED or ED/e genotype had increased backfat (P<0.05) and required significantly fewer days (15-25) (P<0.01) on feed to reach a target fat level for slaughter compared to the red cattle. Red cattle of e/e genotype were found to have significantly larger longissimus dorsi (l. dorsi) area, shipping weight and hot carcass weight. Subsequent analysis revealed that the differences were comparable whether black versus red coat colour or MC1R genotype was used as the criteria for the group of cattle.<p> MC4R sequence was obtained from 20 random crossbred steers. In addition to several previously published polymorphisms, a novel Ser330Asn polymorphism was detected. A population of 382 crossbred Canadian steers and 985 crossbred American steers was genotyped for this Ser330Asn polymorphism. A minor allele frequency of 0.01 was observed in the Canadian and 0.02 in the American steer populations. No homozygous g.989AA cattle were detected. In the Canadian population, heterozygous steers had increased grade fat (P=0.036) and decreased lean meat yield (P=0.032). Similarly in the American population, steers of the g.989GA genotype had increased backfat (P=0.031) and less desirable yield grades (P=0.022,) but also lower ribeye area measurements (P=0.031). These results suggest that genotyping for the Ser330Asn polymorphism may lead to increased quality of carcasses either through lean meat production or backfat measurements, depending on the goal of the beef operation.<p> Sequence data obtained from 38 Bos taurus beef cattle, 4 Holsteins and 4 Bos indicus cattle revealed six polymorphisms in the AGRP gene. No polymorphisms that altered amino acids were detected in Bos taurus cattle. Genotyping of 382 crossbred beef steers was performed for two polymorphisms, an intronic deletion (g.439_440delTC) and a base pair substitution in exon 4 that did not alter an amino acid (g.715G>A). An ANOVA analysis, using PROC Mixed, was performed for both polymorphisms on several growth and carcass traits. No significant differences were observed.<p> Polymorphisms in MC1R and MC4R could be used as genetic tests which may be beneficial for beef producers in North America. The significant differences observed in this study in relation to cattle growth and fat deposition would represent savings for producers when used for sorting feedlot cattle or in selection of breeding cattle.

One of the main drivers influencing consumers in the purchasing of red meat is the level of visible fat, and this is particularly important in lamb, with lamb often being perceived as fatty. Consumer-driven preference for leaner meat, coupled with the meat processing industries preference for a reduction in carcass fat, increasing lean meat yield and reducing waste, have led to continued selection for lean growth and reduced fatness in several meat producing species The perception of lamb being fatty could be directly targeted in isolation by reducing overall fat levels, however there are related effects on meat (eating) quality, and the combined improvement and consistency of meat (eating) quality and the reduction of overall fatness is more complicated. It is apparent that fat content plays a significant role in meat (eating) quality. Generally four major fat depots are recognised in animal carcasses, these are: subcutaneous (under the skin); internal organ associated; intermuscular (between muscles and surrounding muscle groups); and intramuscular (marbling, between muscle fibres), the latter generally regarded as having the greatest association with meat (eating) quality. X-ray computed tomography (CT) can measure fat, muscle and bone in vivo in sheep and CT predictions of carcass composition have been used in commercial UK sheep breeding programmes over the last two decades. Together with ultrasound measures of fat and muscle depth in the loin region, CT measured carcass fat and muscle weights have contributed much to the success of breeding for leaner carcasses and increased lean meat yield. Recently it has also been considered that x-ray computed tomography provides the means to simultaneously estimate IMF and carcass fat in vivo. Thus the aim of this project is to investigate the use of two and three-dimensional x-ray computed tomography techniques in the estimation of meat (eating) quality traits in sheep, and to further investigate the genetic basis of these traits and the possibility of their inclusion into current breeding programmes. The primary approach was the use of two-dimensional x-ray computed tomography, determining the most accurate combination of variables to predict IMF and mechanical shear force in the loin. The prediction of mechanical shear force was poor with accuracies ranging from Adj R2 0.03 – 0.14, however the prediction of IMF in the loin was more promising. CT predicted carcass fat weight accounted for a moderate amount of variation in IMF (R2 =0.51). These accuracies were significantly improved upon by including other information from the CT scans (i.e. fat and muscle densities, Adj R2 >0.65). Average muscle density in a single or multiple scans accounted for a moderate amount of the variation in IMF (Adj R2 = 0.51-0.60), and again accuracies R2 >0.65 were achieved, independent of CT-measured fat areas or predicted fat weights. Similar results were achieved with the use of three-dimensional CT scanning techniques (Adj R2 0.51 – 0.71), however, there was a dramatically increased requirement for image analysis when compared to two-dimensional techniques, and the increase in accuracy was not significant. This suggests that the current method of two-dimensional image capture is sufficient in the estimation of IMF in vivo in sheep. The prediction equations developed as part of this work were applied across divergent breed types (Texel, Scottish Blackface and Texel cross mule), to investigate the transferability of the prediction equations directly across to other breeds of sheep. As part of this study, the IMF levels across the breed types and sexes were also compared and found that IMF was significantly affected by breed type (P<0.001) with Scottish Blackface lambs having higher levels of IMF when compared to Texel cross mule lambs, and the lowest levels of IMF were in the purebred Texel lambs at the same liveweight or similar levels of carcass fatness. Sex also had a significant effect on IMF across breeds (P<0.001) with females having higher levels of IMF at similar levels of both carcass fat and liveweight, and within breed, females had significantly higher levels of IMF in both the purebred Texel and Scottish Blackface lambs, when compared at similar levels of carcass fat and liveweight (P<0.05). Using the models previously developed in purebred Texel to predict IMF in the Scottish Blackface and Texel cross mule, accuracies were found to be R2 = 0.57 – 0.64 and R2 = 0.37 – 0.38 respectively. Providing evidence that the equations are transferable across to some breeds more successfully than others, however, given that there is currently no method of accurately estimating IMF in vivo, accuracies across to both breeds are acceptable. The genetic parameter estimation was unsuccessful using the same research-derived dataset as previously employed in the study. However the ambition was always to investigate the genetic relationships between traits in a large industry dataset, exploiting the wealth of commercial CT information available. These investigations were considerably more successful, and among the first to present genetic parameters of novel CT-derived IMF estimates. The results found moderate heritability estimates of h2 0.31 and 0.36 for the final selected prediction equations, with clear indications that one model not including CT predicted carcass fat or any other fat measures, was more independent of these measures and the two separate prediction methods were highly genetically correlated with each other (rg = 0.89). The results from this study show that not only is it possible to accurately estimate IMF levels in the loin of Texel sheep using CT scanning, but that, until breed specific predictions are developed, the methods developed in this study are transferable across some breed types. The results also show that CT predicted IMF is heritable, independent of overall fatness and has the potential to be included in current breeding programmes. These findings can now be used to develop breeding programmes which enable breeders to make the best use of CT scanning technology to improve carcass composition while maintaining or possibly improving aspects of meat (eating) quality.

Novelty of the research. The effect of genetic and environmental factors on the lean meat quantity in the carcass and the growth rate has been determined by the method of ANOVA for the first time in the country, LW and other breed improvers were highlighted. Statistically reliable regression equations of ham muscle output prediction were drawn. Relations of four main parts of the carcass and their interaction with the carcass quality indexes was defined. Influence of bone fibre myocytes towards the lean meat in the carcass, and the relation between the pH and carcass quality, were analysed.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-06-07Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:37:16Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 athayde_nb_me_botfmvz.pdf: 1185327 bytes, checksum: b7eb50f485a3dab59173e01d4a14ac80 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A ractopamina é um agonista β-adrenérgico que vem sendo utilizado como repartidor de energia em dietas de suínos na fase de terminação. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar a influência de três níveis de inclusão deste aditivo (0, 5 e 10 ppm) na dieta de suínos (machos castrados e fêmeas, n=340) durante 28 dias pré abate, sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e parâmetros econômicos. Não houve interação entre níveis de ractopamina e condição sexual para as variáveis avaliadas. Constatou-se que suínos que receberam ractopamina obtiveram ganho de peso diário superior e melhora na conversão alimentar. Com a inclusão de 10 ppm, foi verificada uma melhora na profundidade de músculo, redução na espessura de toucinho, aumento da porcentagem de carne magra e do rendimento de carcaça. A análise econômica aponta para aumento no valor da receita total e líquida com a venda dos suínos. A suplementação de ractopamina na dieta (5 e 10 ppm) promove melhorias no desempenho e nas características de carcaça de suínos em condições de produção comercial, e seu uso é economicamente viável na suinocultura / The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of three levels of inclusion of ractopamine (0, 5 and 10 ppm) in diet of finishing pigs (barrows and gilts, n=340) on performance, carcass traits and economical parameters. After 28 days on the feeding trial, pigs were slaughtered and the growth, carcass traits and economical analysis were measured. There was no interaction on levels of ractopamine and sexual condicion for variables evaluated. Ractopamine feeding increased (P<0.05) average daily gain and efficiency. Moreover, with inclusion of 10 ppm, there was an improvement in depth of muscle, reduced fat tissue, increased lean percentage and carcass yield. Economical analysis showed increase in total revenue value and net produce from swines. These results suggest that ractopamine will improve performance and carcass traits of finishing pigs breeding under commercial conditions supplemented with 5 and 10 ppm and it is economically viable

The thesis is devoted to analysis of production and reproductive performance of sows of basic herd in agricurtural cooperativ Agra Březnice for the years 2010 and 2011. Sows from breeding core of the nucleic stud, sows from nucleic stud as a whole and sows from reproductive stud were integrated in the observation.The Large White breed paternal line focused attention on the reproductive characteristics, the results of their own performance and results of unified testing. The planting of breeding sows focused attention on reproductive characters in the production of stainless crossbreed sow Czech White paternal line x Czech landrase.

Resumo: A ractopamina é um agonista β-adrenérgico que vem sendo utilizado como repartidor de energia em dietas de suínos na fase de terminação. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar a influência de três níveis de inclusão deste aditivo (0, 5 e 10 ppm) na dieta de suínos (machos castrados e fêmeas, n=340) durante 28 dias pré abate, sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e parâmetros econômicos. Não houve interação entre níveis de ractopamina e condição sexual para as variáveis avaliadas. Constatou-se que suínos que receberam ractopamina obtiveram ganho de peso diário superior e melhora na conversão alimentar. Com a inclusão de 10 ppm, foi verificada uma melhora na profundidade de músculo, redução na espessura de toucinho, aumento da porcentagem de carne magra e do rendimento de carcaça. A análise econômica aponta para aumento no valor da receita total e líquida com a venda dos suínos. A suplementação de ractopamina na dieta (5 e 10 ppm) promove melhorias no desempenho e nas características de carcaça de suínos em condições de produção comercial, e seu uso é economicamente viável na suinocultura / Abstract: The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of three levels of inclusion of ractopamine (0, 5 and 10 ppm) in diet of finishing pigs (barrows and gilts, n=340) on performance, carcass traits and economical parameters. After 28 days on the feeding trial, pigs were slaughtered and the growth, carcass traits and economical analysis were measured. There was no interaction on levels of ractopamine and sexual condicion for variables evaluated. Ractopamine feeding increased (P<0.05) average daily gain and efficiency. Moreover, with inclusion of 10 ppm, there was an improvement in depth of muscle, reduced fat tissue, increased lean percentage and carcass yield. Economical analysis showed increase in total revenue value and net produce from swines. These results suggest that ractopamine will improve performance and carcass traits of finishing pigs breeding under commercial conditions supplemented with 5 and 10 ppm and it is economically viable / Orientador: Roberto de Oliveira Roça / Coorientador: Osmar Antonio Dalla Costa / Banca: Dirlei Antonio Berto / Banca: Jacinta Diva Ferrugem Gomes / Mestre