• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.527-534
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• 2021

This study investigated the possibility of performing selection using 30-month carcass traits by estimating the genetic parameters of 24- and 30-month carcass traits. Data used in this study were the carcass traits of 13,151 heads slaughter at the age of 24 and 30 months. As a result of the study, the heritability of backfat thickness, carcass weight, eye muscle area and marbling score at 24 months of age were estimated to be 0.588, 0.354, 0.467 and 0.587, respectively. The heritability of backfat thickness, carcass weight, eye muscle area and marbling score at 30 months of age were estimated to be 0.498, 0.577, 0.505 and 0.530, respectively. The ranking correlation was 0.516 between the carcass selection indices of 24 and 30 months of age. By providing a 30-month selection index, it is possible to use semen suitable for farm profits, and more semen information can be provided to farms than previously. Furthermore, studies on a selection index based on 30-month carcass traits are needed to provide highly accurate information.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.595-606
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• 2022

Industrial pig breeding has used the Duroc breed and terminal sires in a three-way crossbred system in Korea. This study identified the gene variation patterns related to carcass quality in crossbred pigs ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) using whole-exome sequencing (WES). This study used crossbred pigs and divided them into two groups (first plus grade, n = 5; second grade, n = 5). Genomic DNA samples extracted from the loin muscles of both groups were submitted for WES. A set of validated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: n = 102) were also subjected to the Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) to confirm the WES results in the loin muscles. Based on the WES, SNPs associated with meat quality were found on chromosomes 5, 10, and 15. We identified variations in three of the candidate genes, including kinesin family member 5B (KIF5B), GLI family zinc finger 2 (GLI2), and KIF26B, that were associated with meat color, marbling score, and backfat thickness. These genes were associated with meat quality and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathways in the crossbred pigs. These results may help clarify the mechanisms underlying high-quality meat in pigs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.271-279
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• 2023

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influences of Curcuma aromatica or inositol monophosphate supplementation on body weight of sows at different stages, feed intake, backfat thickness of sows at different stages, body weight of piglets at different stages, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in sow blood and milk. Eighteen crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire) sows (249.9 ± 3.2 kg) and their litters were used in a 28-day feeding trial to observe the effects of Curcuma aromatica or inositol monophosphate as dietary supplements on performance and IgG concentration of blood and milk in lactating sows and piglets. The dietary treatments comprised a control corn-soybean-based basal diet (CON); control diet + Curcuma aromatica at 0.5% (CA), and control diet + inositol monophosphate at 0.10% (IMP). Sow body weight at different stages, average daily feed intake, and sow backfat thickness at different stages were not affected in all three treatment groups. The body weight of piglets at weaning and average daily gain of piglets born to sows from the IMP group showed significant improvement compared to piglets of sows from the CA treatment group. Treatment had no effect on the IgG levels in blood and milk. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.5% CA or 0.10% IMP in sows has no effect on growth performance and IgG in sows and piglets compared with the control diet.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.115-124
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• 2024

This study investigated the impact of clay mineral 'illite' (IL) on the growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, and meat-carcass grade quality in growing-finishing pigs. One hundred fifty pigs were divided into two groups with fifteen pens/group and five pigs/pen, a control group that was fed with a corn-soybean meal-based diet and IL treated group were fed a meal-based diet supplemented with 0.5% IL. Compared to the control, IL supplementation increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and reduce gain to feed ratio (G:F) in the pigs during days 43 to 70 and 99 to 126 and increased dry matter during days 42 and 126, and backfat thickness on day 98 (p<0.05). The drip loss was reduced on day 7, meat firmness tended to increase with dietary IL supplementation. In summary, dietary 0.5% IL supplementation improved ADFI, nutrient utilization of dry matter, and firmness and reduced G:F and drip loss of growing-finishing pigs.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.595-602
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• 2023

Feed processing methods can substantially enhance the nutrient value of feed. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of mash or crumble feed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, back-fat thickness, and carcass quality of growing-finishing pigs. In total, 50 ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) growing pigs with initial body weight of 46.24 ± 3.57 kg were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups. The two dietary treatments were: 1) mash and 2) crumble feed forms for 14 weeks of trials. Five replication pens per treatment, comprised five pigs (2 males and 3 females) each. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, back-fat thickness, and carcass quality were observed at different weeks. There were no significant differences in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, back-fat thickness, and carcass quality throughout the experimental trial. Further study is required to understand the effects of mash and crumble feed on growing-finishing pigs.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.385-391
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• 2017

Our study analyzed the carcass properties of 170 Korean native pigs in relation to carcass weight and back-fat thickness to provide general data for the production and distribution of high quality pig meat. The 70-74 kg group showed highest yield (73.41%). The ${\geq}80kg$ group showed the highest thickest back-fat (24.13 mm) (p<0.05). The ${\geq}80kg$ group showed the best quality grade (1.00). Back-fat thickness showed significant differences in the weight among groups (p<0.05). The ${\geq}25mm$ group showed the highest carcass weight (75.93 kg). The thickest back-fat group (${\geq}25mm$) showed the highest yield (73.03%). There were significant differences in back-fat thickness among groups (p<0.05), and the ${\geq}25mm$ group showed the highest thickness back-fat (27.60 mm). We found a strong positive correlation between carcass weight and back-fat thickness (r=0.346) as well as meat quality grade (r=0.739). Backfat thickness had a relatively strong positive correlation with meat quality grade (r=0.444). Therefore, there are required to manage the breeding through selection of excellent native species for increasing their carcass weight and enhance meat quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1630-1636
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• 2013

An investigation was carried out to assess the carcass characteristics and meat quality aspects of immunocastrated male pigs of medium genetic potential for lean meat deposition in carcass (53 to 55%). When the crossbred Large White x Landrace pigs (n = 45) were 70 days old, they were distributed in a totally randomized design in three treatments (castrated males, females and immunocastrated males) with three replicates of five animals. The pigs were slaughtered when they were 140 days old. Carcass temperature and pH were recorded twice, at 45 min and 24 h after slaughter. The carcasses were evaluated for hot and cold carcass yield, commercial cuts yield, length and depth, back fat thickness, loin eye area and lean meat percentage. The Longissimus dorsi muscle was extracted for analysis of color ($L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$), exudate loss, cooking loss and centesimal and sensorial analysis of the meat. There were no significant differences for the evaluated parameters between castrated males, immunocastrated males and females, except for backfat thickness between the 7th and 8th thoracic vertebra and the point P2 (lower for immunocastrated males) and carcass temperature at 45 min post slaughter (higher in immunocastrated males), however, this did not interfer with the rate of pH decrease post mortem and the meat quality. The results from this research did not indicate a benefit of immunocastration on carcass characteristics of pigs of medium genetic potential for lean meat deposition in carcass, when compared to surgical castration.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.695-704
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate effects of dietary crude protein(CP) level and supplementation of conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) on growth performances and meat quality parameters in finishing pigs. The experiment was designed using protein levels(11.3%, 16.0%) and CLA levels(0%, 2.5%) according to 2×2 factorial design. A total of forty-eight pigs [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] with an average initial weight of 79±1kg were allotted to one of four dietary treatments. Each treatment had four replications of three pigs per replicate. Final body weight(P<0.05) and average daily gain(P<0.01) were lower in 11.3% CP treatments than in 16.0% CP treatments, while feed/gain was high(P<0.01) in 11.3% CP treatments compared with 16.0% CP treatments. Carcass weight was lighter in 11.3% CP treatments(P<0.001) and CLA 2.5% treatments(P<0.01) than in 16.0% CP and CLA 0% treatments, respectively. A significant interaction between CP and CLA on carcass weight was observed(P<0.01), where supplementation of 2.5% CLA to finishing diets decreased carcass weight in 16.0% CP treatments, while no difference was found in 11.3% CP treatments. Backfat thickness was thinner in 11.3% CP treatments and CLA 2.5% treatments than in 16.0% CP and CLA 0% treatments, respectively(P<0.05). A significant interaction between CP and CLA on backfat thickness was observed(P<0.001), where supplementation of 2.5% CLA to finishing diets decreased backfat thickness in 16.0% CP treatments, while no difference was found in 11.3% CP treatments. Marbling score and intramuscular fat contents were higher in 11.3% CP treatments than in 16.0% CP treatments(P<0.01). In conclusion, feeding of protein-deficient diets in finishing pigs could produce favorable pork with high marbling score and thinner backfat. On the other hand, supplementation of CLA was considered to decrease backfat thickness when diets with optimal level of crude protein were fed to finishing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.253-258
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• 2010

This study was conducted to compare the phenotypic performance and genetic merits in terms of weight at 12 months, carcass weight, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, marbling score and selection index of Hanwoo young bulls and proven bulls from the year 2004 to 2006. The data of 208 bulls used in this study were taken from the Nnational Hanwoo genetic evaluation coordinated by National Institute of Animal Science. Hanwoo young bulls were superior in the phenotypic performance of weight at 12 months, carcass weight, and eye muscle area showing significant differences from Hanwoo proven bulls in most comparisons. The backfat thickness of Hanwoo young bulls was significantly thicker higher than Hanwoo proven bulls in all comparisons (p < 0.05). Also, Hanwoo young bulls were not significantly different from Hanwoo proven bulls in the genetic merits of weight at 12 months, carcass weight, eye muscle area, backfat thickness, marbling score, and total genetic merits. Performance of Hanwoo young bulls were not significantly different from 1st class of Hanwoo proven bulls in all the traits studied except in eye muscle area.