A comparison of the carcass trait and meat quality of the reciprocal hybrid F₁ generations of Lantang and Landrace pigs

Objective This study investigated the carcass trait and meat quality of the F₁ generation of a Chinese indigenous pig breed Lantang and a typical lean pig breed Landrace.

Method Each group contained 8 pigs with 4 males and 4 females.These pigs were fed with the same diet to 180 days of age and slaughted to compare the carcass trait, meat quality and myosin heavy chain mRNAs expression in longis-simus dorsi muscles.

Result and conclusion There were no significant differences of carcass trait between Lantang × Landrace pigs and Landrace × Lantang pigs.As for the meat quality, the intramuscular fat of longissimus dorsi muscle in Lantang × Landrace pigs was significantly higher than that in Landrace × Lantang pigs.The intramuscular fat of longissimus dorsi muscle in barrows was also significantly higher than that in sows.According to the fatty acids profile in longissimus dorsi muscle, it could be found that the Lantang × Landrace pigs had a higher percentage of arachidonic acid(C20: 4)than Landrace × Lantang pigs.However, no significant differences of the fiber type and inosine monophosphate content in longissimus dorsi muscle were found among the F₁ generations.Further more, the mRNA expression of My-HC-Ⅰ, MyHC-Ⅱa, MyHC-Ⅱb or MyHC-Ⅱx genes in longissimus dorsi muscle showed no significant differences between breeds, genders and breed × gender.These results demonstrate that the Lantang × Landrace pigs have a higher intramuscular fat and arachidonic acid concent, which suggest that the Lantang × Landrace pigs may have a better meat quality and nutrient value.