• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1314-1320
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• 2019

This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms in exon 8 region of the calmin (CLMN) gene and to evaluate their associations with meat yield and quality traits in Hanwoo (Korean cattle). We compared gene expression pattern of CLMN between high and low marbling score groups with extremely different intramuscular fat content of the longissimus lumborum muscles in Hanwoo. The CLMN gene was highly expressed in the high marbling score group. Total of nine SNPs were identified in the exon 8 region of CLMN gene, genotyping of the SNPs was carried out using direct-sequencing analysis in Hanwoo population (n=300) to evaluate their association with meat yield and quality traits. As a result, g.23249G>C in exon 8 was significantly associated with marbling score. Animals with the CC and GC genotypes had higher marbling score than those with the GG genotype. We constructed haplotypes of CLMN gene by linkage disequilibrium analysis and analyzed association between haplotypes and meat yield and quality traits. Haplotype of CLMN gene was associated with marbling score. As a result, animals with the CC-CC haplotype (g.23249G>C and g.23465T>C SNPs) had higher marbling score than those with CT and GT haplotypes. These findings suggest that the SNPs of bovine CLMN gene may be a useful molecular marker for selection of meat quality traits in Hanwoo.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of plasma leptin and insulin concentrations on fat traits in Hanwoo. If a biological indicator such as plasma leptin and insulin was identified, it would be a useful biological marker that can be predicted marbling score in young animal. The relationship between plasma hormone (leptin and insulin) and fat traits (marbling score, back fat thickness and P8 fat thickness) was investigated. The experiment studies 100 Hanwoo that were randomly sampled from Hanwoo Experimental Station Herd. The concentration of plasma insulin was significantly associated with marbling score (P=0.02) but was not significantly with back fat thickness (P=0.07) and P8 fat thickness (P=0.09). Statistical model determinant that plasma insulin concentration account for phenotypes was moderate on marbling score (5%), back fat thickness (3%) and P8 fat thickness (9%). On the other hand, plasma leptin concentration was significantly associated with marbling score (P=0.03) and back fat thickness (P=0.02), but was not significant on P8 fat thickness (0.07). Statistical model determinant that plasma leptin concentration accounting for phenotypes was moderate effect on marbling score (3%) and back fat thickness (2%), but it has a slightly bigger effect on P8 fat thickness (7%). In conclusion, the plasma leptin and insulin seems to have an effect on fat traits (marbling score, backfat thickness and P8 fat thickness) in Hanwoo.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.663-669
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• 2017

This study were estimated the contribution of carcass traits to unit price, to analyze the marbling score as a categorical variable rather than a numerical variable, and to develop an optimal model that also includes the holiday effect and the raising period. The data for this study were acquired from the Quality Evaluation of the Korea Institute for Animal Products, and consisted of the trading records of 1,613,699 heads at 12 wholesale markets from 2010 to 2014. The unit price of a cow was estimated from the following parameters: -52.50 Won/mm, $8.93Won/cm^2$, 7.20 Won/kg, and -1.04 Won/day for backfat thickness, eye muscle area, carcass weight, and raising period, respectively. Parameters for the dummy variables of marbling scores varied from 0 to 8328.74 Won/kg, which means that each marbling score grade had a different price value. The unit price of a steer was estimated from the following parameters: - 92.12 Won/mm, $20.22Won/cm^2$, 1.30 Won/kg, and -1.72 Won/day for backfat thickness, eye muscle area, carcass weights, and raising period, respectively. Parameters for dummy variables of marbling scores varied from 0 to 7338.80 Won/kg, which means that the grades of each marbling score had different price values. The unit price of sales during traditional holidays was significantly higher (827.71 Won/kg for cows, and 645.15 Won/kg for steers) than during non-holidays.We conclude that the use of categorical values for marbling scores would be needed to evaluate the price of Hanwoo beef using multiple regression analysis based on carcass traits and environmental factors.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.475-480
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• 2010

The bovine fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) plays an important role to uptake intracellular fatty acid. It has been previously reported as a positional candidate gene for marbling score in livestock. The re-sequencing of FABP4 gene detected a polymorphic AT repeated sequence in intron II of FABP4 gene. Allelic distribution for this microsatellite marker was examined in other cattle breeds. A total of 8 alleles were detected with diverse repeat units (14 to 21 AT repeat) in Hanwoo and 7 breeds. Of the 8 alleles, the predominant alleles were $[AT]_{16}$, $[AT]_{18}$ and $[AT]_{19}$ in the Hanwoo and 7 cattle breeds. The linear mixed model for genotypic effect (3237AT) on carcass traits showed a significant effect on marbling score (MAR P=0.025) and live weight (LWT; P=0.04) in the 583 Hanwoo cattle population. Live weight (LW) was highest in the homozygous $(AT)_{17}$ genotype ($557.5{\pm}6.94$) and lowest in the heterozygous $(AT)_{16/17}$ genotype ($521.7{\pm}7.70$). On the other hand, the homozygous $(AT)_{17}$ genotype ($3.0{\pm}0.15$) has the highest effect on marbling score and the lowest effect was in homozygous (AT)$_{18}$ genotype ($2.2{\pm}0.15$). The marbling score difference between both groups was 0.8 which is around two times higher than SNP genotype effect on marbling score in Limousin $\times$ Wagyu crosses.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.3-20
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• 2015

Vitamin A exerts a broad range of effects on many essential life processes. But, since vitamin A is known to negatively affect the development of adipocytes, extensive research has been conducted to improve marbling score in beef cattle by feeding vitamin A-deficient diets. In Japan, the method of fattening Wagyu cattle using vitamin A-deficient diets has been widely adapted. Recently, the method of feeding vitamin A-deficient diets in Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) has been spread by feed companies and TMR plants. But proper guidelines in feeding vitamin A-deficient diets should be provided, otherwise it can adversely affect the health of cattle. To maximize marbling score, a controlled level of vitamin A in blood needs to be maintained and the proper period for feeding vitamin A-deficient diets should be adapted. This review was conducted to highlight the regulatory effects of vitamins A on adipocyte differentiation, and offer a potential guideline for improving beef quality grades in Hanwoo.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 2016

Vitamin D plays a vital role in maintaining blood concentrations of Ca and P. In lipid metabolism, vitamin D is also known to negatively affect the development of adipocytes, but it has received little attention with regard to improve marbling score in beef cattle via restricting its supply. Recently, the method of feeding fat soluble vitamins(including vitamin D)-deficient diets in Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) has been spread by feed companies and TMR plants. But proper guidelines in feeding vitamin D-deficient diets should be provided, otherwise it can adversely affect the health of cattle. To maximize marbling score, a controlled level of vitamin D in blood needs to be maintained and the proper period for feeding vitamin D-deficient diets should be provided. This review was conducted to highlight the regulatory effects of vitamins D on adipocyte differentiation, and provide information on improving beef quality grades in relation to feeding vitamin D-deficient diets in beef cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 2000

A total of 290 pork loins were selected to include a wide variation of quality to investigate the quality categories into which most pork falls, selection criteria for these categories and methods to objectively assess ultimate pork quality. They were probed at 24 h postmortem (PM) for the following: A) light reflectance by Danish Meat Quality Marbling (MQM), Hennessy Grading Probe (HGP) and Sensoptic Invasive Probe (SIP); B) electrical properties by NWK LT-K21 conductivity (NLT) and Sensoptic Resistance Probe (SRP): and C) pH by NWK pH-K21 (NpH). Also, measurements of % drip loss (PDL) and filter paper wetness (FPW), color brightness (L*), ultimate pH (pHu), lipid content, subjective color (SC), firmness/wetness (SF) and marbling scores (SM) were assessed. Each loin was categorized as either pale, soft and exudative (PSE), reddish-pink, soft and exudative (RSE), reddish-pink, firm and non-exudative (RFN) or dark, firm and dry (DFD). Statistically comparing coefficients of determination (CD), the results indicated that overall, the HGP predicted quality groups slightly better than MQM (CD=71 and 62% respectively), NpH and SRP were less effective (CD= 56 and 44% respectively), and SIP and NLT had the lowest values (CD=36 and 5% respectively). Combining various independent variable did not greatly improve the variation accounted for. When the data was sorted into marbling groups based on lipid content, this was not accurately predicted by any of the probe measurements. The MQM probe remained the best predictor for marbling class and accounted for about 25% of the lipid content variation. This was slightly improved to 33% when pHu was combined with MQM.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1225-1233
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• 2009

Fat composition of beef, taken here to mean marbling, can be manipulated by time on feed, finishing diet, and breed type. These three factors also strongly influence the fatty acid composition of beef. Both the amount of marbling and the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) increase with time on feed in grain-fed and pasture-fed cattle, but much more dramatically in grain-fed cattle. High-concentrate diets stimulate the activity of adipose tissue stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), which is responsible for the conversion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) to their $\Delta{9}$ desaturated counterparts. Also, grain feeding causes a depression in ruminal pH, which decreases those populations of ruminal microorganisms responsible for the isomerization and hydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The net result of elevated SCD activity in marbling adipose tissue and depressed ruminal isomerization/hydrogenation of dietary PUFA is a large increase in MUFA in beef over time. Conversely, pasture depresses both the accumulation of marbling and SCD activity, so that even though pasture feeding increases the relative concentration of PUFA in beef, it also increases SFA at the expense of MUFA. Wagyu and Hanwoo cattle accumulate large amounts of marbling and MUFA, and Wagyu cattle appear to be less sensitive to the effects of pastures in depressing overall rates of adipogenesis and the synthesis of MUFA in adipose tissues. There are small differences in fatty acid composition of beef from Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle, but diet and time on feed are much more important determinants of beef fat content and fatty acid composition than breed type.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.673-680
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to identify the polymorphism on fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) gene promoter region and its association with carcass traits in Hanwoo. We performed PCR-direct sequencing of FABP4 promoter region to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) using unrelated 24 Hanwoo bulls. Four SNPs (-298A>G, -472A>G, -887A>G, -862A>G) were detected in the promoter region and genotyped on 583 Hanwoo steers. A linear mixed model revealed an association of three SNPs (-298A>G, -472A>G and -862A>G) with carcass weight and marbling score in dominance model (P<0.05). The animals with AA genotypes for the three SNPs were heavier carcass weight (5 kg) than animals with GG genotypes in the statistical analysis. For the marbling score, the AA genotype was lower effect of marbling score (0.21) than GG genotypes. In conclusion, this study indicates an important role for three SNPs detected in promoter region of FABP4 in determining carcass weight and marbling score in Hanwoo.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.1109-1122
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to develop a marbling classification and prediction model using small parts of sirloin images based on a deep learning algorithm, namely, a convolutional neural network (CNN). Samples were purchased from a commercial slaughterhouse in Korea, images for each grade were acquired, and the total images (n = 500) were assigned according to their grade number: 1++, 1+, 1, and both 2 & 3. The image acquisition system consists of a DSLR camera with a polarization filter to remove diffusive reflectance and two light sources (55 W). To correct the distorted original images, a radial correction algorithm was implemented. Color images of sirloins of Hanwoo (mixed with feeder cattle, steer, and calf) were divided and sub-images with image sizes of 161 × 161 were made to train the marbling prediction model. In this study, the convolutional neural network (CNN) has four convolution layers and yields prediction results in accordance with marbling grades (1++, 1+, 1, and 2&3). Every single layer uses a rectified linear unit (ReLU) function as an activation function and max-pooling is used for extracting the edge between fat and muscle and reducing the variance of the data. Prediction accuracy was measured using an accuracy and kappa coefficient from a confusion matrix. We summed the prediction of sub-images and determined the total average prediction accuracy. Training accuracy was 100% and the test accuracy was 86%, indicating comparably good performance using the CNN. This study provides classification potential for predicting the marbling grade using color images and a convolutional neural network algorithm.