title: Associations of genetic and non-genetic factors with concentrations of iron and zinc in the longissimus muscle of lamb.
abstract: There is a concern regarding the possible decline of nutritional value of meat with an increasing selection for lean meat yield. The selection for reduced fatness reduces muscle aerobicity and possible subsequent mineral concentrations. Average concentrations of iron and zinc of 5625 lamb longissimus muscles were 2.03 and 2.43 mg/100 g, qualifying as a good source claim for the majority of the population. Reduced post-weaning fat depth was associated with decreased concentrations of iron but not zinc, whereas post-weaning eye muscle depth and weaning weight were not associated with either mineral. These results confirm that the impact of lean meat yield selection on these minerals is minimal, but should be monitored to avoid lower levels. Both minerals had a positive relationship with age at slaughter, highlighting age as a key determinant of the concentration of these nutrients. The magnitude of the positive associations of isocitrate dehydrogenase and myoglobin with iron was larger than for zinc, but they strongly indicated the association of these aerobic makers with both minerals.
authors.affiliation: Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, Australia; Murdoch University, School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Electronic address: l.pannier@murdoch.edu.au.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pannier
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Pethick
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Boyce
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D050154:Adiposity / Q000235:genetics*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D004032:Diet; D005123:Eye; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007521:Isocitrate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D064170:Paraspinal Muscles / Q000378:metabolism*; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000235:genetics; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism; D014886:Weaning; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D009211:Myoglobin; D014131:Trace Elements; D007501:Iron; D007521:Isocitrate Dehydrogenase; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Aerobicity; Human nutrition; Iron; Lamb; Slaughter age; Zinc