title: Inhibition of nitric oxide release pre-slaughter increases post-mortem glycolysis and improves tenderness in ovine muscles.
abstract: The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of inhibiting the release of nitric oxide (NO) pre-slaughter in lambs on post-slaughter muscle metabolism and meat quality. Exercise was used as a positive control as NO is known to be released in skeletal muscle during exercise. Forty Border Leicester×Merino lambs were assigned to the treatments L-NAME (NO synthase inhibitor) infusion (0mg/kg vs. 30mg/kg, 135min pre-slaughter) and exercise (none vs. 15min immediately pre-slaughter). The inhibition of NO release using L-NAME reduced Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) after 3days of ageing, while the Semimembranosous (SM) was unaffected. Inhibition of NO release with L-NAME resulted in altered glucose metabolism as indicated by reduced plasma glucose pre-slaughter particularly in exercised lambs, reduced LTL and SM glycogen of non-exercised lambs post-slaughter and increased SM lactate in exercised lambs post-slaughter. In conclusion, inhibition of NO Synthase with L-NAME pre-slaughter increases post-mortem glycolysis and improves tenderness in the loin muscle.
authors: Victoria University, Hoppers Lane, Werribee, Vic., 3030, Australia; Department of Primary Industries, Primary Industries Research Victoria, 600 Sneydes Road, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Cottrell
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: McDonagh
authors: F R
authors: FR
authors: Dunshea
authors: R D
authors: RD
authors: Warner