• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2009

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of slaughter weight (SW) of finishing pigs fed a low-energy diet on growth efficiency and carcass quality and thereby to assess the optimal SW. (Yorkshire $\times$ Landrace) $\times$ Duroc-crossbred gilts and barrows were fed a diet containing 3,060 kcal DE/kg from 80-kg BW and slaughtered at 110, 125, or 135 kg, after which the belly, the most preferred cut in Korea, as well as the least preferred cuts ham and loin were subjected to physicochemical and sensory analyses. Both ADG and ADFI were greater (P<0.05) in the group slaughtered at 125 or 135 kg than in the 110-kg-SW group, whereas the opposite was true for gain:feed (P<0.01). Backfat thickness (BFT), which increased with increasing SW (P<0.01 and P<0.05), was greater in barrows than in gilts (P<0.01); BFT of barrows at 125 kg (24.6 mm) was comparable to that of gilts at 135 kg (24.2 mm). Physicochemical characteristics of the belly, ham and loin were minimally affected, if not affected, by SW; of note, however, the redness of the ham increased between 110- and 125-kg SW (P<0.05). In sensory evaluation of the belly, the fat:lean balance, which is a most important quality trait in this cut, was best (P<0.05) at 125 kg of SW, but the overall acceptability of this cut was not changed by SW. In the ham and loin, the marbling score increased (P<0.01) between 110- and 125-kg SW, whereas color, aroma, off-flavor, and drip were unaffected by SW. In addition, the acceptability of the loin increased (P<0.05) between 110- and 125-kg SW. In cooked meats, none of color, aroma, off-flavor, juiciness, tenderness, taste, and acceptability was changed by SW, except for an increase (P<0.05) in darkness of loin color between 110- and 125-kg SW. In conclusion, the optimal SW for the present subpopulation on the present low-energy diet lie in between 125 and 135 kg for gilts and at 125 kg for barrows.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2009

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a multi-functional enzyme with a central role in the synthesis of long-chain fatty acid and has been considered as a positional candidate gene for BTA 19 quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting milk-fat content and fatty acid composition. In this study, we sequenced the FASN gene in several cattle breeds including Hanwoo and imported beef cattle, and identified novel DNA polymorphisms and their linkage relationship in Hanwoo. We found a significant frequency difference of the FASN (AF285607) g.17924 A$\rightarrow$G polymorphism between Hanwoo (70%) and other breeds and this polymorphism has been known for an association with fatty acid composition in Angus. Furthermore, by direct DNA sequencing in 18 unrelated Hanwoo, we identified 27 SNPs including nine novel variations in the FASN gene. Among 27 SNPs identified in the FASN gene, four SNPs were further genotyped in 100 Hanwoo and 96 imported beef cattle, and analyzed for haplotype construction and association with beef quality traits. We performed haplotype block and linkage disequilibrium studies using four selected SNPs. Two different haplotype blocks (block A: g.10568 C$\rightarrow$T and g.11280 G$\rightarrow$ A; block B: g.13125 C$\rightarrow$T and g.17924 G$\rightarrow$A) were constructed and the block A in particular had a very high r2 (0.936), which indicated a nearly complete linkage disequilibrium existed between the g.10568 C$\rightarrow$T and g.11280 G$\rightarrow$A polymorphisms. A total of four major haplotypes (frequency > 0.05) were identified with the four polymorphisms including TATG (0.36), CGCG (0.31), CGTA (0.19) and TACG (0.06). Statistical association analysis revealed that the g.10568 C$\rightarrow$T and g.11280 G$\rightarrow$A polymorphisms in the FASN were significantly associated with meat color (P=0.004) and texture (P=0.0114). The g.13125 C$\rightarrow$T and g.17924 G$\rightarrow$A polymorphisms in the FASN were also significantly associated with back-fat thickness and quantity index (P=0.0179 and 0.0495, respectively). Our findings suggested that the FASN gene polymorphisms may be used for determining the (unsaturated) fatty acid contents and carcass trait in the Hanwoo beef.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.295-305
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• 2021

Objective: The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of normal and low protein content (PC) of starter diet supplemented or not with blends of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on growth performance of broilers under summer conditions and to investigate whether these effects altered some quality traits and the characteristics of gastrointestinal tract. Methods: A total of 768 mixed-sex broiler chicks (Ross 308, one-d-old) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 47.6±1.03 g were allocated into six treatments with four replications in 2×3 factorial arrangement. Factors were: PC, normal (N, 22% to d 15); and low (L, 20% to d 15); and added BCAA blends, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine at zero (0L:0I:0V); 1.0, 0.25, and 0.25 (4L:1I:1V); or 1.0, 0.25, 0.75 (4L:1I:3V) g/kg of diet. Hence, six dietary treatments were named as N0L:0I:0V, N4L:1I:1V, N4L:1I:3V, L0L:0I:0V, L4L:1I:1V, and L4L:1I:3V. Average indoor temperature and humidity were 32.8℃±1.7℃ and 61.1%±4.12%, respectively. Results: BW, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass weight were not affected by PC, BCCA and their interaction (p>0.05). The L diets decreased the water holding capacity of the breast (p = 0.002) and thigh (p = 0.050) meats and dressing percentage (p = 0.005) compared to the N diets. The 4L:1I:1V diet decreased breast yield compared to the 0L:0I:0V diets (p = 0.041). The effect of PC on feed intake, mortality and gastrointestinal trait weight were depended on the L:I:V ratios under summer conditions due to interactions between factors (p<0.05). The FI and mortality of L4L:1I:1V broilers were lower than those of N4L:1I:1V birds (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the blends of BCAAs used failed to improve performance and to promote breast yields, because diets with normal or with reduced protein supplemented or not with BCAAs up to d 15 produced a similar BW and FCR in broilers raised in hot-climate conditions.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.495-503
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• 2010

Analyses were conducted to estimate the effect of quality grade on the carcass characteristics, physico-chemical and sensory traits of Longissimus dorsi in Hanwoo. A total of 42,113 carcasses were selected on the basis of five quality grades (grade $1^{++}$, $1^+$, 1, 2, and 3) and an additional 258 samples of Longissimus dorsi were used to evaluate the beef quality. The increase in quality grade from grade 3 to grade $1^{++}$ was significant (p<0.05) for carcass weight (from 338.7 kg to 387.2 kg), backfat thickness (from 7.45 mm to 12.23 mm) and marbling score (from 1.09 to 8.31). In contrast, significantly decreased levels of meat color, fat color, texture and maturity were apparent with increasing quality grade (p<0.05). Increasing quality grade was also correlated with significant increases (p<0.05) in crude fat contents (from 3.57% to 25.68%) and water holding capacity (from 52.41% to 58.03), and a decrease of the Warner-Bratzler shear force from 8.29 kg to 2.83 kg. The highest $L^*$ value (41.53) and highest cooking loss (22.11%) were observed with grade $1^{++}$ and 3 beef, respectively. There was no difference observed on $pH_{24}$ (5.53 to 5.66) among the quality grades, which were within the normal range. Sensory evaluation experiments revealed that quality grades were associated with significantly altered (all p<0.05) tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptability. The crude fat contents showed significant correlation with juiciness (r=0.59), tenderness (r=0.71), flavor (r=0.55), and overall acceptability (r=0.69). The lower sensory trait scores were related to higher WBs. Grade $1^+$ Hanwoo beef had a significantly higher WBs and lower fat contents when compared to grade $1^{++}$ Hanwoo beef (p<0.05).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.703-710
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to detect association between genetic variation and economic trait in the porcine heart type fatty acid-binding protein gene as a candidate gene for the traits related with growth and meat quality in pigs. The H-FABP is a 15-kDa protein expressed in several tissues with high demand for fat metabolism such as cardiac and skeletal muscle and lactating mammary gland. H-FABP is small intracellular protein involved in fatty acid transport from the plasma membrane to the site of $\beta$-oxidation and/or triacylglycerol or phospholipid synthesis. In this study, H-FABP PCR-RFLP was performed in F$_2$ population composed of 214 individuals from an intercross between Korean Native Boars and Landrace sows. PCR products from two primer sets within H-FABP gene were amplified in 850bp and 700bp. Digestion of PCR products with the restriction digestion enzymes HaeⅢ and HinfⅠ, revealed fragment length polymorphisms(RFLPs). The genotype frequencies from H-FABP/HaeⅢ was .29 for genotype DD, .53 for genotype Dd, and .15 for genotype dd, respectively. The genotype frequencies of HH, Hh, and hh from H-FABP/HinfⅠ was .38, .41 and .20, respectively, in the population. Relationships between their genotypes and economic traits were estimated. In H-FABP/HaeⅢ locus, there were specific genotypes(Dd and dd) associated with economic traits such as body weights at 3, 5, 12, and 30 week of age (p〈.05 to .001). The ‘d’ allele was associated with gaining of body weight. In H-FABP/HinfⅠ locus, Genotypes of HH and Hh associated with growth traits such as body weights at 5, 12, and 30 week of age (p〈.05 or p〈.001) and back fat thickness, body fat including abdominal and trimmed fat (p〈.001) and intramuscular fat(p〈.05) The ‘H’ allele was positively associated with gaining of body weight and fatness deposition. In conclusion, a significant association of the H-FABP gene from its genetic variation was found on body weight, intramuscular fat and backfat thickness.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.187-196
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• 2020

Objective: Porcine respiratory disease is one of the most important health problems causing significant economic losses. To understand the genetic basis for susceptibility to swine enzootic pneumonia (EP) in pigs, we detected 102,809 single nucleotide polymorphisms in a total of 249 individuals based on genome-wide sequencing data. Methods: Genome comparison of susceptibility to swine EP in three pig breeds (Jinhua, Erhualian, and Meishan) with two western lines that are considered more resistant (Duroc and Landrace) using cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity and F-statistic (F_ST) statistical approaches identified 691 positively selected genes. Based on quantitative trait loci, gene ontology terms and literature search, we selected 14 candidate genes that have convincible biological functions associated with swine EP or human asthma. Results: Most of these genes were tested by several methods including transcription analysis and candidate genes association study. Among these genes: cytochrome P450 1A1 and catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) are involved in fertility; transforming growth factor beta receptor 3 plays a role in meat quality traits; Wnt family member 2, CTNNB1 and transcription factor 7 take part in adipogenesis and fat deposition simultaneously; plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor (completely linked to AXL receptor tyrosine kinase, r² = 1) plays an essential role in the successful ovulation of matured oocytes in pigs; colipase like 2 (strongly linked to SAM pointed domain containing ETS transcription factor, r² = 0.848) is involved in male fertility. Conclusion: These adverse genes susceptible to swine EP may be selected while selecting for economic traits (especially reproduction traits) due to pleiotropic and hitchhiking effect of linked genes. Our study provided a completely new point of view to understand the genetic basis for susceptibility or resistance to swine EP in pigs thereby, provides insight for designing sustainable breed selection programs. Finally, the candidate genes are crucial due to their potential roles in respiratory diseases in a large number of species, including human.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.382-386
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• 2007

The association between the promoter region genotypes of the porcine adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) gene and carcass traits in commercial pigs was examined. Interestingly, only two different genotypes (-406T/T and T/C) for the A-FABP gene were detected using Hinf-RFLP for the substitution mutation T-406C in the A-FABP promoter in commercial pigs, and no -406C/C homozygotes were detected. The reason for the lack of the -406 C/C genotype is due to the breeding system in which only Duroc, which has a high frequency of -406C/- in this locus among the three breeds involved in commercial pig production, is typically used as a terminal sire. The pigs containing the genotype -406C/- were significantly associated with an increase in intramuscula. fat content and carcass weight (p<0.05), but there was no association with the other carcass traits tested (fat composition, color score, texture score, moisture, and separation score between muscles). This study suggests that the -406C/- genotype of the porcine A-FABP gene may not only be a useful molecular marker for intramuscular fat, but may also contribute to the improvement of meat quality by the production of well-marbled pigs by breeding animals containing this genotype, especially Duroc, as a terminal sire for commercial pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

Intramuscular fat content(lMF) is considered as one of major economic traits in the pig breeding and industry. In general, high IMF results in better meat quality. Several approaches to detect quantitative trait 10ci( QTL) for IMF indicated a strong possibility of the existence of a QTL related to IMF between the microsatellite marker SW71 and SW1881 on SSC6q. Porcine FABP3 has been considered as a candidate gene affecting IMF due to its physiological roles and position on the pig genome. Two novel mutations, g.-114T> C and g.-158T>G were detected by duplicate sequencing of the porcine FABP3 promoter region. These two mutations were identified as absolute linkage disequilibrium. The g.-158T> G mutation was used for investigating relationships with growth and fat deposition traits. The GG genotype of the g.-158T> G polymorphism showed highly negative effects(P< 0.01) on body weights at 3 and 12 weeks of age, and a positive effect(P< 0.05) on IMF. However, backfat thickness(BF) and carcass fat(CF) content were not significantly associated with the genotype. The result indicates that the novel mutations, identified in this study, could be utilized as possible genetic markers to improve IMF, independent with BF.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.585-592
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• 2003

The current study was conducted to determine the relationships of vitamin A on meat quality of Hanwoo as a basic study to manipulate vitamin A contents in feeds to produce high quality beef. Concentrations of vitamin A in serum and liver of Hanwoo steers(n=328) were analyzed and correlation coefficients with carcass properties were evaluated. Mean vitamin A concentration in the serum of Hanwoo steers in the early fattening period was 212.0$\pm$32.7 IU/dl, and that in the late fattening period was 117.56$\pm$43.15 IU/dl. Mean vitamin A concentration in the liver of Hanwoo steers in the late fattening period was 143.62$\pm$110 IU/g expressing large variations might be depended on animals, feeds and farms. There were negative correlations between serum vitamin A concentration and marbling degree(r=-0.24, P<0.01), fat contents in M. Logissimus dorsi (r=-0.21, P<0.01), and beef quality grade(r=-0.20, P<0.01). Vitamin A-palmitate in liver also expressed negative correlations with fat contents in M. Logissimus dorsi (r=-0.18, P<0.01) and beef quality grade(r=-0.16, P<0.05). From the results obtained in the current study, we concluded that it might be possible to produce high quality beef in Hanwoo by manipulating vitamin A contents in the feeds. Further detailed studies, however, are necessary to determine vitamin A contents in feeds, feeding levels, and feeding periods.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.259-264
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• 2010

This study was carried out to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values of Hanwoo cows for carcass traits. Carcass records were collected from Korean steers raised at the private farms located in rural area of Gangwon-do and slaughtered from December 2004 to June 2008 at the three slaughter houses near fattening farm. The results obtained in this study were summarized as follows; The means and standard deviations of the carcass traits were $5.57{\pm}2.01$ for marbling score (MS), $10.87{\pm}4.06mm$ for backfat thickness (BFT), $87.87{\pm}9.07cm^2$ for eye muscle area (EMA), $426.75{\pm}49.27kg$ for carcass weight (CW), and $65.80{\pm}3.80$ for yield index (YI). Heritability estimates using single trait analyses were 0.36 for MS, 0.35 for BFT, 0.24 for EMA, 0.29 for CW, and 0.40 for YI, respectively. Genetic correlation coefficients of MS with BFT, EMA, CW, and YI were -0.21, 0.30, -0.21 and 0.30, and those of BFT with EMA, CW and YI were -0.12, 0.57 and -0.97, and those of EMA with CW and YI were 0.32 and 0.27, respectively. And genetic correlation of CW with YI was -0.62. Single trait selection for MS might lead to reducing BFT, but might be an obstacle to increase CW due to negative genetic correlations of MS with BFT and CW.