Genetic parameters of muscle fatty acid profile in a purebred Large White heavy pig population. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zappaterra, Martina; Catillo, Gennaro; Belmonte, Anna Maria; Lo Fiego, Domenico Pietro; Zambonelli, Paolo; Steri, Roberto; Buttazzoni, Luca; Davoli, Roberta
• Is Part Of: Meat science. Volume 163(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Heritability -- Genetic correlation -- Semimembranosus muscle -- Pork -- Meat quality -- Fat; Meat -- Periodicals; Meat industry and trade -- Periodicals; Viande -- Périodiques; Viande -- Industrie -- Périodiques; Meat; Meat industry and trade; Periodicals; 641.36
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2020.108057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-1740

Abstract

Abstract: Semimembranosus muscle samples from 795 Large White heavy pigs were used to determine their intramuscular fatty acid composition and to estimate the heritability and the genetic correlations of these traits. Muscle fatty acids showed heritability estimates of low-to-moderate magnitude, ranging from 0.157 for total fatty acids to 0.237 for docosahexaenoic acid. Only small differences in heritability appeared among fatty acids based on their chain length, saturation and double bond position. Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids showed positive genetic correlations with carcass lean % (0.563 ± 0.005) and loin thickness (0.438 ± 0.005) while being negatively related to backfat thickness measured both by calibre (−0.225 ± 0.008) and Fat-O-Meat'er (FOM) apparatus (−0.603 ± 0.004). Interestingly, the monounsaturated fatty acid class was not correlated with carcass measures and presented only a weak positive genetic correlation with intramuscular fat (0.145 ± 0.002). This result suggests that in heavy pig breeds monounsaturated fatty acids in muscle could be selected for without interfering with carcass traits. Highlights: Muscle fatty acids influence the technological and nutritional quality of pig meat. Muscle fatty acid composition was analysed in sib-tested Large White heavy pigs. Muscle fatty acids showed heritability estimates of low-to-moderate magnitude. Monounsaturated fatty acid class did not show to be correlated with carcass traits. The heritability values suggested genetic effects on muscle fatty acid composition.