• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.865-877
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• 2023

Thirty Hanwoo cattle including bulls, cows, and steers (n = 10 each) were slaughtered and investigated for carcass traits (weight, meat color, fat color, yield index, maturity, marbling score, back-fat thickness, and firmness) and meat quality. The meat quality such as: pH, color, cooking loss, fatty acid, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, warner-bratzler shear force, tensile tests, and texture profiles were analyzed on longissimus lumborum (LL) muscles of the carcasses at different aging times (3 d and 21 d). The results showed that steers and cows had higher back-fat thickness and marbling score, and a lower firmness (p < 0.001) than bulls. Bulls exhibited a lower meat quality indicating by higher cooking loss, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance content, warner-bratzler shear force and tensile test values (p < 0.01). Regarding the sensory property, the bull meat also had higher hardness, and lower tenderness, juiciness and flavor scores than the cow or steer meat (p < 0.01). Additionally, the bull meat had a higher polyunsaturated fatty acid and a lower monounsaturated fatty acid contents (p < 0.01). With increased aging time, the meat tenderness was improved in all the genders. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that the gender and aging time affected the carcass traits, fatty acid and sensory quality of beef. Postmortem aging could improve the meat tenderness of all genders especially bulls.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.71-75
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• 2012

The present study data were obtained from 36,894 cows in Korea Animal Improvement Association from 2001 to 2009 which was subjected for ultrasound measurements (eye muscle area, back-fat thickness, marbling score) and descent. Repeated record models were carried out using 7,913 of 36,894 of total animal traits. The ultrasound measured traits and performance test data were used to study the chest girth, body condition score, eye muscle area, back-fat thickness and marbling score with genetic correlation and parameters for the ultrasound measured traits using REMLF90 program. Genetic correlation of eye muscle area with back-fat thickness, marbling score and back-fat thickness with marbling score were noticed in repeated records animal model as 0.69, 0.54, and 0.59, whereas in multiple trait animal model method were 0.07, 0.66, and 0.39, respectively. Repeated records of animal models were used as positive correlation of traits. Multiple trait animal models were used as negative correlation of eye muscle area with marbling score. The analysis on repeat records of animal models using ultrasound measurements about Korean cattle showed positive effects for each traits. In comparison differences between the repeat records of animal models and multiple trait animal models was found with higher traits of her, the heritability and repeatability was found higher in repeat records animal models. In light of these assessments, carcass traits by ultrasound measurements are expected to help and improve an accurate analysis of each trait and if the research analysis using repeat records of animal models continue when we estimate genetic ability of these traits.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1090-1095
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• 2008

Marbling (intramuscular fat) is an important factor in determining meat quality in Korean beef market. A grain based finishing system for improving marbling leads to inefficient meat production due to an excessive fat production. Identification of intramuscular fat-specific gene might be achieved more targeted meat production through alternative genetic improvement program such as marker assisted selection (MAS). We carried out ddRT-PCR in 12 and 27 month old Hanwoo steers and detected 300 bp PCR product of the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) gene, showing highly gene expression in 27 months old. A 1.5 kb sequence was re-sequenced using primer designed base on the Hanwoo EST sequence. We then predicted the open reading frame (ORF) of ICER gene in ORF finder web program. Tissue distribution of ICER gene expression was analysed in eight Hanwoo tissue using realtime PCR analysis. The highest ICER gene expression showed in Small intestine followed by Longissimus dorsi. Interestingly, the ICER gene expressed 2.5 time higher in longissimus dorsi than in same muscle type, Rump. For gene expression analysis in high- and low marbled individuals, we selected 4 and 3 animal based on the muscle crude fat contents (high is 17-32%, low is 6-7% of crude fat contents). The ICER gene expression was analysed using ANOVA model. Marbling (muscle crude fat contents) was affected by ICER gene (P=0.012). Particularly, the ICER gene expression was 4 times higher in high group (n=4) than low group (n=3). Therefore, ICER gene might be a functional candidate gene related to marbling in Hanwoo.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.687-694
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate effects of dietary supplementation of lysine and leucine on growth performance and meat quality parameters in finishing pigs. The experiment was designed using lysine levels(0.45%, 0.75%) and leucine levels(1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%) according to 2×3 factorial design. A total of thirty-six pigs[(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] with an average initial weight of 75.5±2kg were allotted to one of the six dietary treatments. Each treatment had three replications of two pigs per replicate. No difference was found in average daily gain(P>0.05), while feed intake and feed/gain were higher in 0.45% of lysine treatments than in 0.75% of lysine treatments(P<0.05). Retail lean meat percentage was lower in 0.45% of lysine treatments than in 0.75% of lysine treatments(P<0.05), but there were no differences in other carcass characteristics(P>0.05). Marbling score was significantly increased(P<0.05) in 0.45% of lysine treatments compared to 0.75% of lysine treatments, while other meat quality parameters were not affected by lysine levels(P>0.05). Supplemental dietary leucine had no effect on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality parameters(P>0.05) except that Hunter b* value were increased with added levels of leucine(P<0.05). In conclusion, feeding of lysine-deficient diets in finishing pigs improved marbling scores of pork. Feeding diets high in leucine, however, did not increase intramuscular fat or marbling scores.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.689-698
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• 2007

This study aims to estimate the genetic parameters for carcass traits on Hanwoo of breeding farmhouses using Animal Products Grading Service’s data of 428,812 cattle from 101 slaughterhouses nationwide from 2000 to 2005. Using carcass traits of carcass weight, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, marbling score, meat color and fat color that greatly influence Hanwoo's grade, the effects of carcass year, carcass season, sex and carcass region were estimated. Based upon carcass traits of carcass weight, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, marbling score and meat color that greatly influence Hanwoo’s grade, the heritabilities and genetic parameters were estimated of 17,578 Hanwoo slaughtered in 2005 with existing herdbook, where EM-REML algorithm was used in estimating genetic parameters. The mean and standard deviation of each carcass trait are 321.42±53.62kg, 76.25±10.43cm2, 9.96± 4.14mm, 3.75±2.00, 4.83±0.48 and 2.99±0.40, for carcass weight, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, marbling score, meat color and fat color, respectively. As a result of analysis on the effects of carcass year, the carcass weight, backfat thickness and meat color came out highest as 359.40±0.181, 9.82±0.017 and 4.90±0.002, respectively in 2004. As a result of analysis on the effects of carcass season, the carcass weight and eye muscle area came out highest as 345.88±0.144 and 79.57±0.033 respectively in spring, and the backfat thickness was highest as 8.78±0.013 in winter, and the meat color and fat color slightly came out higher as 4.88±0.002 and 2.96±0.001 in fall, while the marbling score was highest as 3.29±0.006 in summer. The results of the analysis on the effects of sex indicated that the backfat thickness and fat color were highest as 10.53±0.010 and 3.07±0.001 in cow, the carcass weight came out highest in Hanwoo steer as 368.03±0.068kg, the eye muscle area were highest as 82.96±0.042 in bull, and the marbling score was highest as 4.19±0.007 in steer, and the meat color was highest as 4.89±0.001 in cow. Regarding the results of analysis on the effects of carcass region, the carcass weight, eye muscle area,

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.519-526
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• 2008

Although beef provides high quality proteins as well as vitamins and minerals, its concentrations of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol give negative impression to some consumers on the other hand. Excess fat, especially cholesterol contents in beef is related with metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. Unfortunately, the data for the relationship of marbling degree and cholesterol contents in Hanwoo beef is very limited. The objectives of the current study were to provide basic data about cholesterol contents in Hanwoo beef and to compare those among beef cattle breeds using 61 Hanwoo and 15 each of Angus and Wagyu crossbred steers. Samples were collected from M. longissimus area and cholesterol concentrations and fatty acid compositions were analyzed using gas chromatography. Cholesterol concentrations in Hanwoo beef ranged from 32.36 mg/100g to 75.42mg/100g depending on individuals. In Angus, cholesterol contents in lowest marbling degree of “Practically devoid” was 56.84mg/100g, whereas it was 72.85mg/100g in the highest marbling degree of “Abundant” showing increase in cholesterol concentrations as the marbling degree increases. For Wagyu crossbred steers, it was 69.23mg/100g and 78.93 mg/100g for marbling degree of “Practically devoid” and “Abundant”, respectively, showing similar cholesterol concentrations to Angus steers but still much higher than Hanwoo steers. The ratio of unsaturated fatty acids:saturated fatty acids for Hanwoo, Angus and Wagyu Crossbred were 1,48, 1.08 and 1.17, respectively. And the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids : saturated fatty acids were 1.41, 1.03, and 1.10, respectively showing significantly higher ratios in Hanwoo steers. In conclusion, cholesterol contents and saturated fatty acids in M. longissimus of Hanwoo steers were significantly lower while unsaturated fatty acids were higher comparing to those in Angus or Wagyu Crossbred steers. Further studies, however, considering genetic backgrounds, feeding conditions, slaughtering age, number of samples and location of sampling of experimental animals are necessary.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the carcass characteristics of crossbred pigs according to mating system, carcass grade and age at marketing. A total of 656 pigs of 128 gilts and 528 barrows were collected and analyzed at public slaughter house. Differences between LY and LYD crossbred on marbling score and water holding capacity were significantly (p<0.05) found. The influences of LY and LYD crossbred on carcass weight, backfat thickness, meat colour, carcass grade and age at marketing were not significantly showed. The carcass weight of D carcass grade was significantly (p<0.05) heavier than that of the other grade. The backfat thickness was significantly (p<0.05) appeared gradually in accordance with the increase of carcass grade. There was significantly difference among the carcass grades on water holding capacity (p<0.05). The differences among the carcass grades on the meat colour, marbling score and age at marketing were not found significantly. The carcass weight of high age group at marketing was significantly heavier than that of the low age group (p<0.05). The backfat thickness of the group of high age at marketing was significantly thicker than that of the group of low age (p<0.05). There were significant differences among age group at marketing in marbling score, carcass grade, and water holding capacity, respectively (p<0.05). The carcass weight was positively correlated with the backfat thickness but negatively correlated with the carcass grade. The correlation between the backfat and carcass grade was significantly negative. The meat colour was negatively correlated with water holding capacity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1427-1435
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• 2010

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of a stair-stepped feed intake pattern on growth, feed efficiency, and meat quality of Hanwoo steers. Twenty-seven 11-month-old Hanwoo steers were randomly divided into three groups. The control group was fed according to the Korean steer feeding program, and the other two groups were fed according to an alternated feeding schedule of 3-2-4-2 months. During the first three months of the experiment, treatment group 1 (T1) and treatment group 2 (T2) were fed 20% and 30% less than the control group, respectively. For the following two months, the T1 group was fed 20% more than the control group while the T2 group was fed 20% less than the control group. In the third step, T1 and T2 groups were fed 20% and 10% less, respectively, than the control group for four months. In the last two months, T1 and T2 groups were fed 20% more than the control group. After the stair-step feeding trial, steers were fed concentrated feed ad libitum for five months. The altered feed intake pattern did not affect daily body weight gain. However, daily feed intake tended to decrease and growth efficiency tended to increase in the two treatment groups compared to the control group. Altered feed intake also affected blood metabolite levels. The serum glucose and BUN level of the T1 group increased in the first re-fed period compared to the T2 and control groups. The serum cholesterol level of the T2 group decreased in the first restricted-re-fed growth period compared to the T1 and control groups. The serum NEFA levels of the two treatment groups increased from the first restricted period compared to the controls. The serum insulin level of the T2 group increased in the last period compared to the T1 and control groups. Regarding meat yield index, the control group was significantly higher than the T2 group (p<0.05). Regarding meat yield grade, the carcass back fat thickness of the T2 group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). In marbling score, the T1 group was the highest (4.9), followed by the control group (4.1) and the T2 group (4.0). These results indicate that using a stair-stepped growth pattern (T1) can contribute to improvements in growth efficiency and muscle marbling.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.581-590
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• 2008

Growth curves for ultrasonic carcass traits such as longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness and marbling score as well as chest girth which was simultaneously measured when carcass traits were investigated using ultrasound measuring technique were estimated to identify growth patterns and to adjust maturing effects in order to evaluating genetic merits on cows in farming basis. 27,410 records from 22,451 cows on which of 15~90 month of age were investigated from the national wide of Korea using by ultrasonic scanning techniques by the skilled persons from 2002 to 2007. Van Bertalanffy growth function was applied for estimating growth curves on these traits. Carcass traits and chest girth would be linearly increased by body condition score. It might be used for multiplicative correction factors for pre- adjustment on the body condition scores. Growth pattern on chest girth would be quickly reached to mature size and stable on after reached to asymptotic mature size. Longissimus muscle area would also be reached to mature size but little smoother than chest girth. Otherwise, growth curve on backfat thickness would be steadily increasing up to 7 years of age. It also showed large individual difference by way of mean square error. Marbling score would be steadily increased but sharper than those on backfat thickness. It would be reached to mature size up at 5 years of age. Those growth curves would be used for correcting function on age at investigating on genetic evaluation system.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.427-433
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• 2012

The present study was performed to investigate long-term effects of the low-crude protein and lysine (low CP/lys) diet and a yeast culture supplemented to the low CP/lys diet on growth and carcass characteristics in growing-finishing pigs. Forty-five gilts and 45 barrows weighing approximately 25 kg born to Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace dams and Duroc sires were allocated to nine pens, with five gilts and five barrows assigned per pen. Every three pens received CP/lys-rich grower and finisher diets (control), low CP/lys grower and finisher (basal), or the low CP/lys grower and finisher supplemented (2%) with a yeast culture providing $3.2{\times}10^8$ Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells/kg diet (yeast) for 31 and 79 days, respectively. The ADG was less in the low CP/lys (basal + yeast) group than in the control group (P<0.01) during both grower (0.59 vs. 0.70 kg) and finisher (0.75 vs. 0.89 kg) phases. However, marbling score was greater (P<0.05) in the low CP/lys group vs. control (3.86 vs. 3.12) at slaughter, which resulted in a twice percentage of the $1^+$-quality grade carcasses in the former compared with that for the latter. Supplementation of the yeast culture to the basal diet caused a decrease in ADG during the grower phase (P<0.01), but not during the finisher phase (0.64 vs. 0.53 kg and 0.73 vs. 0.77 kg for the basal vs. yeast group during the grower and finisher phases, respectively), without influencing the marbling score or percentage of the $1^+$-quality grade carcasses. In conclusion, results indicate that long-term provision of the low CP/lys diet has a beneficial effect on marbling and carcass quality grade as well as a negative effect on weight gain and that the yeast culture supplemented to the low CP/lys diet has no beneficial effect on weight gain or carcass quality.