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Is Variation in Growth Trajectories genetically correlated with Meat quality Traits in Australian Terminal Lambs?

Tuesday, August 19, 2014: 4:45 PM
Cypress Room (The Westin Bayshore)
Charlie A de Hollander , Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, Armidale, Australia
Nasiroddin Moghaddar , Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, Armidale, Australia
Kahma R Kelman , Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, Armidale, Australia
Graham E Gardner , School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia
Julius van der Werf , University of New England, Armidale, Australia
Abstract Text: This study used meat quality traits on 5164 crossbred terminal lambs and a total of 32061 weight records measured between the ages of 75 to 250 days to do a bivariate random regression model, to determine the genetic relationship between growth patterns and meat quality traits in lambs. The genetic correlations between both weight and growth at different ages and carcass eye muscle depth (CEMD), fat depth (FAT5), shear force (SHF5), pH of the M. Semitendinosus (pHST) and percentage of intramuscular fat (IMF) were calculated. We found that genetic correlations of early growth (100-150d) were higher compared to late growth (200-250d) for CEMD 0.43 vs. 0.14; FAT5 0.49 vs. 0.14; SHF5 -0.50 vs. -0.26; pHST -0.18 vs. 0.15 and IMF 0.27 vs. 0.12. This study showed the potential to influence meat quality when growth curves are changed by breeding.        

Keywords:
Random Regression Model              
Genetic correlations           
Meat quality

See more of: Sheep and Goats Breeding (2)
See more of: Species Breeding: Sheep and goats
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