• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1229-1238
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• 2016

This study was conducted to determine the relationships of five intragenic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers (protein kinase adenosine monophosphate-activated ${\gamma}3$ subunit [PRKAG3], fatty acid synthase [FASN], calpastatin [CAST], high mobility group AT-hook 1 [HMGA1], and melanocortin-4 receptor [MC4R]) and meat quality traits of Duroc breeding stocks in Korea. A total of 200 purebred Duroc gilts from 8 sires and 40 dams at 4 pig breeding farms from 2010 to 2011 reaching market weight (110 kg) were slaughtered and their carcasses were chilled overnight. Longissimus dorsi muscles were removed from the carcass after 24 h of slaughter and used to determine pork properties including carcass weight, backfat thickness, moisture, intramuscular fat, $pH_{24h}$, shear force, redness, texture, and fatty acid composition. The PRKAG3, FASN, CAST, and MC4R gene SNPs were significantly associated with the meat quality traits (p<0.003). The meats of PRKAG3 (A 0.024/G 0.976) AA genotype had higher pH, redness and texture than those from PRKAG3 GG genotype. Meats of FASN (C 0.301/A 0.699) AA genotype had higher backfat thickness, texture, stearic acid, oleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid than FASN CC genotype. While the carcasses of CAST (A 0.373/G 0.627) AA genotype had thicker backfat, and lower shear force, palmitoleic acid and oleic acid content, they had higher stearic acid content than those from the CAST GG genotype. The MC4R (G 0.208/A 0.792) AA genotype were involved in increasing backfat thickness, carcass weight, moisture and saturated fatty acid content, and decreasing unsaturated fatty acid content in Duroc meat. These results indicated that the five SNP markers tested can be a help to select Duroc breed to improve carcass and meat quality properties in crossbred pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1452-1458
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• 2004

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of sex and market weight on performance, carcass characteristics and pork quality. A total of 224 crossbred pigs (initially 26.64 kg BW) were allotted in a $2{\times}4$ factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. The variables were sex (gilts and barrows) and different market weights (100, 110, 120 and 130 kg). Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were significantly higher (p<0.01) in barrows than gilts, ADFI and feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased as body weight increased (p<0.05). Gender differences were observed in carcass characteristics. Backfat thickness and drip loss were greater in barrows (p<0.01), while loin eye area (p<0.01), flavor score (p<0.05) and lean content (p<0.001) were higher in gilts. Carcass grade and water holding capacity were the highest in 110 kg market weight pigs. The 100 kg arket weight pigs showed lower juiciness, tenderness, shear forces and total palatability than the other market weights (p<0.01). Hunter values (L*, a* and b*) were increased as market weight increased (p<0.05). Hunter a* value was greater in gilts (p<0.01) but L* value and b* value were not affected by sex of pigs. Net profit [(carcass weight${\times}$price by carcass grade)-(total feed cost+cost of purchased pig)] was higher in gilts than barrows (p<0.01), and was higher (p<0.05) in the pigs marketed at 110 and 120 kg market weight compared with 100 kg market weight. These results demonstrated that gilts showed higher carcass characteristics, pork quality, feed cost per kg body weight gain and net profit compared with barrows. Moreover, 110 or 120 kg body weight would be the recommended market weight based on pork quality and net profit for swine producers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1118-1122
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• 2004

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chromium nanoparticle (CrNano) on growth, carcass characteristics, pork quality, and tissue chromium in finishing pigs. A total of 100 Duroc$\times$Landrace$\times$Yorkshire barrows (average initial BW of 64.78$\pm$0.83 kg) were divided into 10 pens, 10 pigs per pen. 5 pens of pigs were fed with control diet (corn-soybean meal, 1.05% Lys) and others were fed with control diet addition with 200 $\mu$g/kg Chrome (Cr) from CrNano. During the trial, all pigs were given free access to feed and water. After 35 days trial, 10 pigs from each each treatment (weight similar to average group weight, 91.34$\pm$1.31 kg for control group, and 92.26$\times$0.56 kg for CrNano treated group) were sacrificed to measure carcass characteristics, pork quality, and to collect the samples of longissimus muscle, liver, kidney and heart. The results indicated that the addition of 200 $\mu$g/kg CrNano decreased feed: gain ratio by 3.56% (p<0.05) compared to the control group. Pigs fed CrNano had 14.06% higher (p<0.05) carcass lean percentage, 19.96% (p<0.05) larger longissimus muscle area and 25.53% lower (p<0.05) carcass fat percentage, 18.22% lower (p<0.05) backfat thickness. Drip loss in chops from pigs fed CrNano was decreased by 21.48% (p<0.05) and weights of longissimus muscle and semimembranosus were increased by 16.33% (p<0.05) and 14.87% (p<0.05) respectively. In addition, supplemental CrNano resulted in 184.11% (p<0.05), 144.99% (p<0.05), 88.13% (p<0.05) and 52.60% (p<0.05) increment of Cr concentration in longissimus muscle, liver, kidney and heart, respectively. These results suggest that supplemental CrNano has beneficial effects on carcass characteristics, pork quality and individual skeletal muscle weight, increase tissue chromium concentration in selected muscle and organs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1475-1481
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• 2019

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate pork quality from Hereford${\times}$Berkshire female and intact male pigs reared outdoors in an alternative production system. Methods: Berkshire purebred sows were artificially inseminated, once in the fall and again in the spring of the following year, with semen from Hereford boars and managed free of antibiotics in an outdoor hoop structure until the last month of pregnancy, after which they were moved to a pasture-based unit of 0.8 hectares with individual lots with a farrowing hut, shade, and water ad libitum. Piglets were weaned at 4 weeks of age and housed in a deep-bedded hoop structure, grouped by sex. Animals were harvested at market weight of 125 kg, approximately 200 days of age. Hot carcass weight was collected at the time of the harvest. After 24 hours of refrigeration, carcass characteristics were measured. Longissimus dorsi samples collected from the right side loin. Loins were cut into 2.54-cm thick chops and were used to measure marbling score, color score, drip loss, and ultimate pH. Sensory panel tests were conducted as well at North Carolina State University. For pork characteristics and sensory panel data, trial and sex were included in the statistical model as fixed effects. Hot carcass weight was included in the model as a covariate for backfat thickness. Results: Neither the subjective nor the objective color scores displayed any differences between the boars and the gilts. No difference was found for pH and marbling score between trials or sexes. Gilts had a thicker backfat measurement at the last lumbar and a narrower longissimus muscle area measurement when compared to the boars. The only difference in the sensory characteristics was found between the trials for texture and moisture scores. Conclusion: Consumers were not able to detect boar taint under the condition of this study, which is that the intact males were reared outdoors. Additional trials would be necessary; however, based on the results of the present study, outdoor rearing can be suggested as a solution to the issue of boar taint.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.237-252
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• 2011

In this study, four different oils containing either CLA, GLA, GLA+Carnitine or corn oil (control) were supplemented to finishing pigs (average 70.8 kg initial BW) diet for 28 d of feeding period. To evaluate the values of the dietary fatty acids, especially in view of sensory and nutritional characteristics of pork; pig performances, carcass characteristics, serum cholesterol, neutrophil phagocytosis, TBARS, electronic nose flavor and fatty acids profile of pork were measured. There were no differences in daily gain and nutrients digestion among treatments, but daily feed intake of CLA enriched diet was lower (P<0.05) than that of other diets. There were no differences in backfat thickness, dressing percentage and carcass grade among pigs fed diets supplemented with different oils. Serum total cholesterol showed a tendency to be lowered in pigs fed GLA enriched diet. TBARS values during storage of pork were higher in belly from pigs fed control diet whereas the values of belly from pigs fed GLA+Carnitine diet were lower than others. However, difference in TBARS was not remarkable in adipose tissue and 4 weeks extended storage regardless of pork parts. Proportion of saturated fatty acids such as C16:0 and C18:0 were higher (P<0.05) in pork loin and thin skirt from pigs fed CLA enriched diet compared to those from other diets. There were no differences in fatty acids profiles of belly and adipose tissue. CLA accumulation in pork was increased by the dietary CLA supplementation and this could be also confirmed by a slight de novo synthesis of CLA in pork from pigs fed CLA free diets. GLA was selectively accumulated to pork adipose tissue and loin from pigs fed GLA enriched diets. There was no accumulation of GLA when GLA was not supplemented, indicating no de novo synthesis of GLA. Phagocytic activity was the highest (p<0.05) in neutrophil of pigs fed GLA+Carnitine supplemented diet, then, followed by pigs fed GLA supplemented diet. There was no difference in phagocytosis between control and CLA treatment although the phagocytosis was numerically lowest in pig fed CLA enriched diet. There were distinct differences in electronic nose flavor pattern among treatments regardless of the parts. This study showed that dietary supplementation of functional fatty acids like CLA or GLA was able to result in characteristic differences in feed intake, TBARS, fatty acids profile and flavor of pork, serum cholesterol regulation and neutrophil phagocytosis.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2005

The objective of this study was carried out investigate the changes of carcass characteristics, physico-chemical characteristics and fatty acid composition in crossbred pigs (Korean native breed ${\times}$ Landrace breed) by backfat thickness. A total 182 Pigs were divided into 3 groups by there backfat thickness, i.e., <11.80mm, $11.80\~25.01mm\;and\;25.01mm<.$ The live weight carcass weight and dressing percent of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11,80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm group, but the final grade were lower. The pH of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. Shear lone of 25.01 mm< group were lower than that of other groups. Water, crude fat content and cooking loss have no difference between the 3 groups. The hardness of backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. The yellowness $(b^*)$ of meat and fat color in backfat thickness 25.01mm< group were lower compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group. The stearic acid and saturated fatty acid content were higher compared to those for backfat thickness <11.80mm and $11.80\~25.01mm$ group but the linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acid content were lower.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.337-342
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the feeding effect of by-products such as ginseng loaves(GL) and stem (GS) which had about 8% of crude saponin on pork carcass and meat quality characteristics when they were fed for 40 days. The ginseng leaves and stem were added in feed and the pigs were slaughtered at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days. The chilled carcass weight and trimmed fat contents were higher(86.50 kg) in the pork fed for 40 days. The yields of fore legs were higher in pork fed for 10 days(P<0.05) and there was no different in the yields of the other portion cuts such as shoulder, rib, loin, belly, hind legs and tenderlons. The incidence of percentages for grade A and B decreased as the feeding periods increased up to 40 days. The backfat thickness was lowest in carcasses from pigs fed up to 20 days(P<0.05). The L values were highest in pork fed up to 30 days(50.22) and lowest(46.91) for pork fed 10 days. The incidence of PSE pork was low in pork fed for 20 days when compared to other feeding days. Cooking loss was lowest and water holding capacity(WHC) was highest in pork fed GL and GS stem, respectively. However, the analysis for accumulation contents of saponin and functionality in pork fed GL and GS is needed in the future research.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1365-1373
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• 2013

Fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) plays an important role in appetite control and energy consumption in human and mice. In order to examine FTO expression influence on fat deposition in Suzhong pigs, FTO mRNA expression was detected in 16 tissues by RT-PCR, FTO protein expression was detected in 5 tissues by western blot, and association of FTO polymorphism with meat quality traits was analyzed in Suzhong populations with 714 records. RT-PCR results revealed that FTO mRNA was expressed in all sixteen tissues with significant differences (p<0.05), expression in backfat was significantly higher than that of any other tissue (p<0.05), and expression in longissimus dorsi muscle had the second highest significance level (p<0.05). Western blot results demonstrated that FTO protein was highly expressed in backfat and longissimus dorsi muscle. Furthermore, FTO mRNA and protein expression in tissues of high-fat pigs was significantly higher than that of low-fat pigs (p<0.05), suggesting FTO expression had advantageous effects on fat deposition. FTO polymorphism results evidenced that at A227G locus, G allele seemed to have advantageous effects on fat deposition, indicating it could be a significant candidate gene for improving pork quality in Suzhong pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.590-600
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• 2005

The present report has been aimed at reviewing important factors which need to be closely analyzed or considered when increasing the market weight of finishing pigs. The pig market weight has increased worldwide during the past few decades, which is attributable primarily to an increased lean gain potential of finishing pigs. To increase the market weight, however, the acceptability of larger pigs by the packer as well as pork consumers should be met first. By increasing the market weight, total number of breeding stock, as well as the facility for them, necessary for producing a given weight of pork can be reduced, whereas more building space for finishing pigs and an additional nutrition program for the later finishing period are needed. Additionally, a more thorough disease prevention program especially against ileitis and mycoplasma pneumonia may also be needed, because outbreaks of these are known to increase with increasing body weight over 110 kg. Some larger finishing pigs may deposit excessive fat that may be reduced or prevented by using hormonal and/or nutritional agents. Backfat thickness increases linearly with increasing body weight between 110 and 130 kg, whereas intramuscular fat content does not change significantly. With increasing live weight within this range, the ratios of belly and loin to carcass weight also are known to increase. Some physicochemical characteristics related to fresh and cooked meat quality including color, firmness, juiciness, etc. are known to be unaffected or slightly changed following an increase of slaughter weight. In conclusion, ratios of primal cuts and pork quality characteristics are not significantly affected by increasing the market weight. Moreover, increasing the market weight of lean-type pigs approximately up to 130 kg is normally profitable to producers, as long as packers and consumers accept larger pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.135-142
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• 2022

It is impossible to know the amount of pork primal cut by pig carcass grade which is determined only by carcass weight and backfat thickness in the Korean Pig Carcass System. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the pig carcass grade and the amount of pork primal cut estimated with AutoFom III. A total of 419,321 Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc (LYD) pigs were graded with the Korean Pig Carcass Grade System. Amounts of belly, neck, loin, tenderloin, spare ribs, shoulder, and ham were estimated with AutoFom III. Regression equations for seven primal cuts according to each grade were derived. There were significant differences among the three carcass grades due to heteroscedasticity variance (p < 0.0001). Three regression equations were derived from AutoFom III estimation of primal cuts according to carcass grades. The coefficient of determination of the regression equation was 0.941 for grade 1⁺, 0.982 for grade 1, and 0.993 for grade 2. Regression equations obtained from this study are suitable for AutoFom III software, a useful tool for the analysis of each pig carcass grade in the Korean Pig Carcass Grade System. The high reliability of predicting the amount of primal cut with AutoFom III is advantageous for the management of slaughterhouses to optimize their product sorting in Korea.