Comparison of the meat quality, post-mortem muscle energy metabolism, and the expression of glycogen synthesis-related genes in three pig crossbreeds
H. G. Lei A D , L. Y. Shen A D , S. H. Zhang A , Z. H. Wu A , J. Shen B , G. Q. Tang A , Y. Z. Jiang A , M. Z. Li A , L. Bai A , X. W. Li A and L. Zhu A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A College of Animal Science & Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625014, China.
B Mabian Gold LiangShan Agricultural Development Co., Ltd, Mabian, Sichuan 614600, China.
C Corresponding author. Email: zhuli7508@163.com
D These authors contributed equally to this work.
Animal Production Science 55(4) 501-507 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13484
Submitted: 17 July 2013 Accepted: 20 December 2013 Published: 21 February 2014
Abstract
Post-mortem muscle energy metabolism plays an important role in pork quality. To analyse the differences of meat quality and energy metabolism, three commercial pig crossbreeds frequently used in China were studied, they were DT (Duroc × Taihu; n = 16), PIC (five-way crossbreed from Pig Improvement Co., UK; n = 29) and DLY (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire); n = 19) pigs. The results showed that DT pigs had a higher post-mortem pH45 min and pH24 h, lower shear force and drip loss, higher muscle free-glucose and glycogen contents, and lower lactic acid content than did PIC and DLY pigs. Post-mortem muscle free-glucose content of these three pig crossbreeds changed little, from 45 min to 96 h post-mortem. The expression levels of PRKAG3 (encoding a regulatory subunit of the AMP-activated protein kinase) and GYS1 (encoding muscle glycogen synthase) genes of DT pigs were significantly lower than those of PIC and DLY pigs. DT pigs had a higher expression level of glycogenin-1-like (encoding glycogenin) gene than did PIC and DLY pigs. In conclusion, DT pigs had better meat quality than did the other two pig crossbreeds. We deduced that the post-mortem muscle energy status and metabolism of DT pigs might be an important reason for their good meat quality, and future research should focus on the molecular and physiological mechanism of post-mortem muscle energy metabolism to find ways to improve meat quality.
Additional keywords: gene expression, energy metabolism, energy status, meat quality, pig.
References
Alonso M, Lomako J, Lomako W, Whelan W (1995) A new look at the biogenesis of glycogen. The FASEB Journal 9, 1126–1137.Bendall JR (1973) Post mortem changes in muscle. In ‘The structure and function of muscle’. (Ed. G. H. Bournes) pp. 227–274. (Academic Press: New York)
Bidner B, Ellis M, Brewer M, Campion D, Wilson E, McKeith F (2004) Effect of ultimate pH on the quality characteristics of pork. Journal of Muscle Foods 15, 139–154.
| Effect of ultimate pH on the quality characteristics of pork.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hamilton D, Miller K, Ellis M, McKeith F, Wilson E (2003) Relationships between longissimus glycolytic potential and swine growth performance, carcass traits, and pork quality. Journal of Animal Science 81, 2206–2212.
Heyer A, Lebret B (2007) Compensatory growth response in pigs: effects on growth performance, composition of weight gain at carcass and muscle levels, and meat quality. Journal of Animal Science 85, 769–778.
| Compensatory growth response in pigs: effects on growth performance, composition of weight gain at carcass and muscle levels, and meat quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXit1Wktb4%3D&md5=9d0dc95c951dbf1eedfdc195f67c4852CAS | 17296780PubMed |
Jiang Y, Li X, Zhu L, Si T (2011) Evaluation of the Chinese indigenous pig breed Dahe and crossbred Dawu for growth and carcass characteristics, organ weight, meat quality and intramuscular fatty acid and amino acid composition. Animal 5, 1485–1492.
| Evaluation of the Chinese indigenous pig breed Dahe and crossbred Dawu for growth and carcass characteristics, organ weight, meat quality and intramuscular fatty acid and amino acid composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXht1Cjsb3F&md5=2fe72ac0398199a66271b0b213293e1bCAS | 22440295PubMed |
Jiang Y, Zhu L, Tang G, Li M, Jiang A, Cen W, Xing S, Chen J, Wen A, He T (2012) Carcass and meat quality traits of four commercial pig crossbreeds in China. Genetics and Molecular Research 11, 4447–4455.
| Carcass and meat quality traits of four commercial pig crossbreeds in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3s%2FmsVChtw%3D%3D&md5=e5f14f54b61c5d327dfc9a4c239b1843CAS | 23079983PubMed |
Kemp G, Böning D, Beneke R, Maassen N (2006) Explaining pH change in exercising muscle: lactic acid, proton consumption, and buffering vs. strong ion difference. American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 291, R235–R237.
| Explaining pH change in exercising muscle: lactic acid, proton consumption, and buffering vs. strong ion difference.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XntFGhu7c%3D&md5=46b4c9d0e5361834632777afaf86c3cdCAS | 16760335PubMed |
Le Roy P, Elsen J-M, Caritez J-C, Talmant A, Juin H, Sellier P, Monin G (2000) Comparison between the three porcine RN genotypes for growth, carcass composition and meat quality traits. Genetics, Selection, Evolution. 32, 165–186.
| Comparison between the three porcine RN genotypes for growth, carcass composition and meat quality traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2c%2Fjslalug%3D%3D&md5=0b3bdc30fa4b76a36e73cf86570808d4CAS | 14736400PubMed |
Lebret B, Le Roy P, Monin G, Lefaucheur L, Caritez J, Talmant A, Elsen J, Sellier P (1999) Influence of the three RN genotypes on chemical composition, enzyme activities, and myofiber characteristics of porcine skeletal muscle. Journal of Animal Science 77, 1482–1489.
Livak KJ, Schmittgen TD (2001) Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2–ΔΔCT method. Methods 25, 402–408.
| Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2–ΔΔCT method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XhtFelt7s%3D&md5=d9463dc26375da1e697e1763d95c03fcCAS | 11846609PubMed |
Lomako J, Lomako WM, Whelan WJ (2004) Glycogenin: the primer for mammalian and yeast glycogen synthesis. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – General Subjects 1673, 45–55.
| Glycogenin: the primer for mammalian and yeast glycogen synthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXltl2htb8%3D&md5=5856bbb0e3ae98cc25564d27fee65c79CAS |
Mackenzie PI, Owens IS, Burchell B, Bock K, Bairoch A, Belanger A, Gigleux SF, Green M, Hum DW, Iyanagi T (1997) The UDP glycosyltransferase gene superfamily: recommended nomenclature update based on evolutionary divergence. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics 7, 255–269.
Marsin A, Rider M, Deprez J, Beauloye C (2000) Phosphorylation and activation of heart PFK-2 by AMPK has a role in the stimulation of glycolysis during ischaemia. Current Biology 10, 1247–1255.
| Phosphorylation and activation of heart PFK-2 by AMPK has a role in the stimulation of glycolysis during ischaemia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXotVSrsrw%3D&md5=bb569dc004217bb383c685ff32ab21f6CAS | 11069105PubMed |
Marsin A-S, Bouzin C, Bertrand L, Hue L (2002) The stimulation of glycolysis by hypoxia in activated monocytes is mediated by AMP-activated protein kinase and inducible 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 277, 30778–30783.
| The stimulation of glycolysis by hypoxia in activated monocytes is mediated by AMP-activated protein kinase and inducible 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XmsFyqtbo%3D&md5=474196be9ff266d05c9243fdca2cafddCAS | 12065600PubMed |
McBride A, Hardie D (2009) AMP‐activated protein kinase – a sensor of glycogen as well as AMP and ATP? Acta Physiologica 196, 99–113.
| AMP‐activated protein kinase – a sensor of glycogen as well as AMP and ATP?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXlt1KrtL0%3D&md5=b06ce316264995a6673dbaa3c5ac7b7eCAS | 19245651PubMed |
Milan D, Jeon J-T, Looft C, Amarger V, Robic A, Thelander M, Rogel-Gaillard C, Paul S, Iannuccelli N, Rask L (2000) A mutation in PRKAG3 associated with excess glycogen content in pig skeletal muscle. Science 288, 1248–1251.
| A mutation in PRKAG3 associated with excess glycogen content in pig skeletal muscle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjs1Wlu7w%3D&md5=d65a237634e16a53a2d6421658e6aee8CAS | 10818001PubMed |
Miller K, Ellis M, Sutton D, McKeith F, Wilson E (2000) Effects of live animal sampling procedures and sample storage on the glycolytic potential of porcine longissimus muscle samples. Journal of Muscle Foods 11, 61–67.
| Effects of live animal sampling procedures and sample storage on the glycolytic potential of porcine longissimus muscle samples.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Monin G, Sellier P (1985) Pork of low technological quality with a normal rate of muscle pH fall in the immediate post-mortem period: the case of the Hampshire breed. Meat Science 13, 49–63.
| Pork of low technological quality with a normal rate of muscle pH fall in the immediate post-mortem period: the case of the Hampshire breed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MbmvFWjuw%3D%3D&md5=ff57fc79945a72070afd515453e3d5b5CAS | 22055445PubMed |
Nielsen JN, Richter EA (2003) Regulation of glycogen synthase in skeletal muscle during exercise. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 178, 309–319.
| Regulation of glycogen synthase in skeletal muscle during exercise.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXmt1Crtro%3D&md5=a41baa666c82c033671fe5cf4867d254CAS | 12864735PubMed |
Ojuka EO, Nolte LA, Holloszy JO (2000) Increased expression of GLUT-4 and hexokinase in rat epitrochlearis muscles exposed to AICAR in vitro. Journal of Applied Physiology 88, 1072–1075.
Roach PJ (2002) Glycogen and its metabolism. Current Molecular Medicine 2, 101–120.
| Glycogen and its metabolism.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XivVaqt70%3D&md5=1f60932d8f7d9c4526ee467d4f144810CAS | 11949930PubMed |
Roach PJ, Skurat AV (1997) Self-glucosylating initiator proteins and their role in glycogen biosynthesis. Progress in Nucleic Acid Research and Molecular Biology 57, 289–316.
| Self-glucosylating initiator proteins and their role in glycogen biosynthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXlsVKjs7k%3D&md5=b251e8ab09d9edaea2243e3f877d7d5fCAS | 9175437PubMed |
Roach PJ, Anna A, Thomas DH, Vincent ST (2012) Glycogen and its metabolism: some new developments and old themes. Biochemical Journal 441, 763–787.
| Glycogen and its metabolism: some new developments and old themes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XovFKktg%3D%3D&md5=477ba837052011df03b876bf9c3d5678CAS | 22248338PubMed |
Ryu Y, Choi Y, Lee S, Shin H, Choe J, Kim J, Hong K, Kim B (2008) Comparing the histochemical characteristics and meat quality traits of different pig breeds. Meat Science 80, 363–369.
| Comparing the histochemical characteristics and meat quality traits of different pig breeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtVagu7%2FE&md5=e5de49b191ed9e4280434d6cdfcfc31cCAS | 22063341PubMed |
Scheffler T, Gerrard D (2007) Mechanisms controlling pork quality development: the biochemistry controlling postmortem energy metabolism. Meat Science 77, 7–16.
| Mechanisms controlling pork quality development: the biochemistry controlling postmortem energy metabolism.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXmvVOgtr0%3D&md5=162fdaf99d4b5b55f39699a837224fb3CAS | 22061391PubMed |
Scheffler TL, Park S, Gerrard DE (2011) Lessons to learn about postmortem metabolism using the AMPKγ3R200Q mutation in the pig. Meat Science 89, 244–250.
| Lessons to learn about postmortem metabolism using the AMPKγ3R200Q mutation in the pig.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXptlagtLc%3D&md5=57ae2d8d2a4f4e4471a4ad0ab1c7eaf9CAS | 21632185PubMed |
Smith R, Gabler N, Young J, Cai W, Boddicker N, Anderson M, Huff-Lonergan E, Dekkers J, Lonergan S (2011) Effects of selection for decreased residual feed intake on composition and quality of fresh pork. Journal of Animal Science 89, 192–200.
| Effects of selection for decreased residual feed intake on composition and quality of fresh pork.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXotl2kug%3D%3D&md5=bc5521a9fe7a849ba2344be991444b91CAS | 20817860PubMed |
Smythe C, Cohen P (1991) The discovery of glycogenin and the priming mechanism for glycogen biogenesis. European Journal of Biochemistry 200, 625–631.
| The discovery of glycogenin and the priming mechanism for glycogen biogenesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXkvVOmurw%3D&md5=539f80479319db9243431316d8ce9e93CAS | 1915338PubMed |
Steinberg GR, Kemp BE (2009) AMPK in health and disease. Physiological Reviews 89, 1025–1078.
| AMPK in health and disease.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXpslyjsb4%3D&md5=ee7da105e757debbaac9aab0867786acCAS | 19584320PubMed |
Winder W, Holmes B, Rubink D, Jensen E, Chen M, Holloszy J (2000) Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase increases mitochondrial enzymes in skeletal muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology 88, 2219–2226.
Young JF, Bertram HC, Oksbjerg N (2009) Rest before slaughter ameliorates pre-slaughter stress-induced increased drip loss but not stress-induced increase in the toughness of pork. Meat Science 83, 634–641.
| Rest before slaughter ameliorates pre-slaughter stress-induced increased drip loss but not stress-induced increase in the toughness of pork.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtFGns73E&md5=577576fc848da33a3afdd4799480bb43CAS | 20416646PubMed |
