The effect of the Texel muscling QTL (TM-QTL) on meat quality traits in crossbred lambs.
A quantitative trait locus (QTL) has been identified on chromosome 18 in Texel sheep (TM-QTL) that increases depth and area of the longissimus dorsi muscle. The study aimed to assess the pleiotropic QTL effects on key meat quality traits (toughness and intramuscular fat content after >or=7 days aging) of crossbred lambs carrying one copy of the TM-QTL. The results showed that male TexelxMule lambs carrying the TM-QTL had significantly less intramuscular fat (1.86% versus 2.25%) and higher toughness, with increased variation, in the loin muscle, compared to non-carrier males. Similar conclusions were obtained using two different types of tenderometer equipment: one using the Volodkevitch test (average shear force of 4.17 kgF or 40.9N for carrier males, 2.61 kgF or 25.6N for non-carrier males) and one using the MIRINZ test (average shear force of 6.18 kgF or 60.6N for carrier males, 5.22 kgF or 51.2N for non-carrier males). Although most toughness measurements were within published consumer acceptability limits, a few individual TM-QTL carrier lambs had unacceptably tough meat, despite enhanced post-slaughter processing. The TM-QTL did not significantly affect loin toughness in female lambs, leg toughness in either sex, or intramuscular fat content. These results should be considered, alongside direct effects of the TM-QTL on muscling and carcass composition, in recommendations for the use of this QTL by sheep breeders.
Lambe
N R
NR
Sustainable Livestock Systems Group, Scottish Agricultural College, King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK.
Macfarlane
J M
JM
Richardson
R I
RI
Matika
O
O
Haresign
W
W
Bünger
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000662:veterinary*; D002875:Chromosomes; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005524:Food Technology; D005838:Genotype; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D012756:Sheep / Q000235:genetics*
D005223:Fats