title: Secondary sexual development (Masculinity) of bovine males: 1. Influence on carcass composition, cutability, economic value and certain muscles.
abstract: Differences in carcass composition, cutability, economic value of the carcass and distribution of certain muscle groups, between bulls with secondary sexual characteristics (bulls(+)), those without (bulls(-)), and steers were investigated. Two carcass mass groups (250-300 and 301-350 kg) were compared. Five carcasses of either mass group were studied within each sex condition group. Bulls(+) had a higher meat percentage (P < 0·05) than bulls(-) or steers. They also had a lower bone percentage than steers (P < 0·05), but non-significant differences were found between bulls(+) and bulls(-) for bone percentage. Significant differences (P < 0·05) between sex condition groups were found for percentages of hindquarter, as well as for distribution of high-priced cuts. Steers had the most favourable distribution and bulls(+) the least favourable. Bulls(-) were intermediate. Masculinity significantly (P < 0·05) influenced the distribution of the chuck, neck, brisket and hind shin cuts, whilst mass had a significant effect on the percentage hind shin and percentage thin flank. It was found that the M. rhomboideus was the only muscle of those studied that was significantly affected by masculinity and it was concluded that this muscle could be used as an indicator of the masculinity of the carcass. The economic values of the carcasses of steers, bulls without secondary sexual development and bulls with secondary sexual development differed non-significantly.
authors: Animal and Dairy Science Research Institute, Private Bag X2, Irene, 1675, Republic of South Africa.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Pietersen
authors: G G
authors: GG
authors: Bruwer
authors: R T
authors: RT
authors: Naudé
authors: W A
authors: WA
authors: Vosloo