Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Preliminary study of the effects of an anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor vaccine at two initial liveweights on the carcass traits and meat quality of bulls

G. Ripoll https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8042-8688 A B , A. Noya A , I. Casasús A and A. Sanz A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón – IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Avda. Montañana 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.

B Corresponding author. Email: gripoll@aragon.es

Animal Production Science 59(8) 1462-1469 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN18324
Submitted: 25 January 2018  Accepted: 13 September 2018   Published: 16 October 2018

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of the Improvac® anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor vaccine developed for pigs on the carcass quality and shelf life of meat from Serrana de Teruel bulls at two liveweights at the start of immunisation. The anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor vaccine stopped testosterone production regardless of the liveweight. The carcasses of immunised bulls were less heavy and had poorer conformation than those of entire bulls, although the dressing percentages were similar. Immunisation had no influence on the degree of carcass fatness or intramuscular fat content. Immunisation decreased metmyoglobin formation during storage, especially in light bulls. Immunisation reduces the total meat collage, improving tenderness and reducing the ageing time. Minimum toughness was reached 2 weeks earlier than in entire bulls. Quick tenderisation was achieved regardless of the liveweight at immunisation; therefore, the technique studied here could be effective for producing tender meat and avoiding long periods of maturation. In conclusion, immunisation at any of the initial liveweights trialed may be detrimental to animal performance. However, it was effective in delaying metmyoglobin formation and produced more tender meat than that of entire bulls from the first day, thus reducing the ageing time.

Additional keywords: beef, carcass assessment, growth hormones, meat tenderness, meat postmortem ageing.


References

Amatayakul-Chantler S, Jackson JA, Stegner J, King V, Rubio LMS, Howard R, Lopez E, Walker J (2012) Immunocastration of × Brown Swiss bulls in feedlot with gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine Bopriva provides improved performance and meat quality. Journal of Animal Science 90, 3718–3728.
Immunocastration of × Brown Swiss bulls in feedlot with gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine Bopriva provides improved performance and meat quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Amatayakul-Chantler S, Hoe F, Jackson JA, Roca RO, Stegner JE, King V, Howard R, Lopez E, Walker J (2013) Effects on performance and carcass and meat quality attributes following immunocastration with the gonadotropin releasing factor vaccine Bopriva or surgical castration of Bos indicus bulls raised on pasture in Brazil. Meat Science 95, 78–84.
Effects on performance and carcass and meat quality attributes following immunocastration with the gonadotropin releasing factor vaccine Bopriva or surgical castration of Bos indicus bulls raised on pasture in Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

AMSA (2012) ‘Guidelines for meat color evaluation.’ (American Meat Science Association: Champaign, IL)

Andreo N, Bridi AM, Tarsitano MA, Peres LM, Da Costa Barbon APA, De Andrade EL, Phromann PEF (2013) Influence of immunocastration (Bopriva®) in weight gain, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nellore. Semina. Ciências Agrárias 34, 4121–4132.
Influence of immunocastration (Bopriva®) in weight gain, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nellore.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

AOAC (2000) ‘Official methods of analysis. Association of Official Analytical Chemists.’ (W. Horwitz, G.Latimer: Arlington, VA)

AOCS (2005) ‘Approved procedure Am 5–04, Rapid determination of oil/fat utilizing high temperature solvent extraction.’ (AOCS Press: Urbana, EEUU)

Bonnet M, Kopp J (1984) Dosage du collagene dans les tissus conjonctifs, la viande et les produits carnes. Cahiers Techniques du INRA 5, 19–30.

Bretschneider G (2005) Effects of age and method of castration on performance and stress response of beef male cattle: A review. Livestock Production Science 97, 89–100.
Effects of age and method of castration on performance and stress response of beef male cattle: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cook RB, Popp JD, Kastelic JP, Robbins S, Harland R (2000) The effects of active immunization against gnRH on testicular development, feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics of beef bulls. Journal of Animal Science 78, 2778–2783.
The effects of active immunization against gnRH on testicular development, feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics of beef bulls.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

D’Occhio MJ, Aspden WJ, Trigg TE (2001) Sustained testicular atrophy in bulls actively immunized against GnRH: potential to control carcase characteristics. Animal Reproduction Science 66, 47–58.
Sustained testicular atrophy in bulls actively immunized against GnRH: potential to control carcase characteristics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Destefanis G, Brugiapaglia A, Barge MT, Lazzaroni C (2003) Effect of castration on meat quality in Piemontese cattle. Meat Science 64, 215–218.
Effect of castration on meat quality in Piemontese cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

EU (2006) Council Regulation (EC) No 1183/2006 of 24 July 2006 concerning the Community scale for the classification of carcasses of adult bovine animals. Official Journal of the European Union. L214/1–L214/6.

EU (2010) Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Official Journal of the European Union. L276/33–L276/79.

Fina M, Casellas J, Manteca X, Piedrafita J (2006) Analysis of temperament development during the fattening period in the semi-feral bovine calves of the Alberes Massif. Animal Research 55, 389–395.
Analysis of temperament development during the fattening period in the semi-feral bovine calves of the Alberes Massif.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gerrard DE, Jones SJ, Aberle ED, Lemenager RP, Diekman MA, Judge MD (1987) Collagen stability, testosterone secretion and meat tenderness in growing bulls and steers. Journal of Animal Science 65, 1236–1242.
Collagen stability, testosterone secretion and meat tenderness in growing bulls and steers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Janett F, Gerig T, Tschuor AC, Amatayakul-Chantler S, Walker J, Howard R, Bollwein H, Thun R (2012) Vaccination against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) with Bopriva significantly decreases testicular development, serum testosterone levels and physical activity in pubertal bulls. Theriogenology 78, 182–188.
Vaccination against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) with Bopriva significantly decreases testicular development, serum testosterone levels and physical activity in pubertal bulls.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lepetit J (1989) Deformation of collagenous, elastin and muscle fibres in raw meat in relation to anisotropy and length ratio. Meat Science 26, 47–66.
Deformation of collagenous, elastin and muscle fibres in raw meat in relation to anisotropy and length ratio.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

MacDougall DB (1982) Changes in the colour and opacity of meat. Food Chemistry 9, 75–88.
Changes in the colour and opacity of meat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Martí S (2012) Physical castration and immunocastration of early-naturing bulls fed high concetrate diets. Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Martí S, Devant M, Amatayakul-Chantler S, Jackson JA, Lopez E, Janzen ED, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS (2015) Effect of anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor vaccine and band castration on indicators of welfare in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 93, 1581–1591.
Effect of anti-gonadotropin-releasing factor vaccine and band castration on indicators of welfare in beef cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Miguel GZ, Faria MH, Roca RO, Santos CT, Suman SP, Faitarone AB, Delbem NL, Girao LV, Homem JM, Barbosa EK, Su LS, Resende FD, Siqueira GR, Moreira AD, Savian TV (2014) Immunocastration improves carcass traits and beef color attributes in Nellore and Nellore x Aberdeen Angus crossbred animals finished in feedlot. Meat Science 96, 884–891.
Immunocastration improves carcass traits and beef color attributes in Nellore and Nellore x Aberdeen Angus crossbred animals finished in feedlot.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Miller MF, Carr MA, Ramsey CB, Crockett KL, Hoover LC (2001) Consumer thresholds for establishing the value of beef tenderness. Journal of Animal Science 79, 3062–3068.
Consumer thresholds for establishing the value of beef tenderness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Nishimura T, Liu A, Hattori A, Takahashi K (1998) Changes in mechanical strength of intramuscular connective tissue during postmortem aging of beef. Journal of Animal Science 76, 528–532.
Changes in mechanical strength of intramuscular connective tissue during postmortem aging of beef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pérez-Linares C, Bolado-Sarabia L, Figueroa-Saavedra F, Barreras-Serrano A, Sanchez-Lopez E, Tamayo-Sosa AR, Godina AA, Rios-Rincon F, Garcia LA, Gallegos E (2017) Effect of immunocastration with Bopriva on carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot Holstein bulls. Meat Science 123, 45–49.
Effect of immunocastration with Bopriva on carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot Holstein bulls.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ripoll G, Panea B, Albertí P (2012) Visual appraisal of beef: Relationship with CIELab colour space. ITEA. Información Técnica Económica Agraria 108, 222–232.
Visual appraisal of beef: Relationship with CIELab colour space.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ripoll G, Albertí P, Álvarez-Rodríguez J, Blasco I, Sanz A (2016) Body size, carcass and meat quality of three commercial beef categories of ‘Serrana de Teruel’ breed. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research 14, e0604
Body size, carcass and meat quality of three commercial beef categories of ‘Serrana de Teruel’ breed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sacks MS, Kronick PL, Buechler PR (1988) Contribution of intramuscular connective tissue to the viscoelastic properties of Post‐Rigor bovine muscle. Journal of Food Science 53, 19–24.
Contribution of intramuscular connective tissue to the viscoelastic properties of Post‐Rigor bovine muscle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sañudo C, Macie ES, Olleta JL, Villarroel M, Panea B, Albertí P (2004) The effects of slaughter weight, breed type and ageing time on beef meat quality using two different texture devices. Meat Science 66, 925–932.
The effects of slaughter weight, breed type and ageing time on beef meat quality using two different texture devices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sealfon SC, Weinstein H, Millar RP (1997) Molecular mechanisms of ligand interaction with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor. Endocrine Reviews 18, 180–205.
Molecular mechanisms of ligand interaction with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wicks N, Crouch S, Pearl CA (2013) Effects of Improvac and Bopriva on the testicular function of boars ten weeks after immunization. Animal Reproduction Science 142, 149–159.
Effects of Improvac and Bopriva on the testicular function of boars ten weeks after immunization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |