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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(6)

The effect of genotype and plane of nutrition on the rate of pH decline in lamb carcasses and the expression of metabolic enzymatic markers

G. E. Gardner A C , D. W. Pethick A , P. L. Greenwood B and R. S. Hegarty B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.

A School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.

B Beef Industry Centre of Excellence, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: g.gardner@murdoch.edu.au

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 57(6) 661-670 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR05364
Submitted: 17 October 2005  Accepted: 5 May 2006   Published: 20 June 2006

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of sire (n = 9) estimated breeding values (EBVs) and pasture-based nutritional systems (low and high quality and availability) from birth to slaughter on the metabolic characteristics and post-mortem pH changes in muscle of ~8-month-old lambs (n = 56). Nutritional restriction resulted in a general decrease in glycolytic capacity as indicated by the enzymes phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), suggesting greater metabolic efficiency. Alternatively, it also depressed oxidative capacity as indicated by myoglobin and isocitrate dehydrogenase, which aligns with the histological results suggesting a fast glycolytic fibre type characteristic of less mature animals. Increasing PEMD EBV resulted in a marked shift towards a metabolically more glycolytic muscle type as demonstrated by LDH, although this did not correspond strongly with an increase in the proportion of type 2B fibres based on histological assessment of myofibre type using immunostaining of myosin heavy chain isoforms. Myoglobin concentration aligned with this trend, decreasing in all muscles as PEMD EBV increased, suggesting that selection for muscling will lead to a whiter muscle appearance. Rate of pH decline was increased in the low nutrition lambs, and through selection for PEMD EBV, this response aligning with the metabolically more glycolytic muscle type.

Additional keywords: glycogen, estimated breeding value, muscling, fibre type.


Acknowledgments

Mr Andrew Blakely and Mr Paul Reynolds are gratefully acknowledged for collection of abattoir pH data. The support of technical staff at the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (Armidale) are also acknowledged for help in the conduct of animal and abattoir procedures, as are Drs David Hopkins and Terry Farrell who coordinated abattoir data and sample collection, and in the case of Dr Hopkins provided continuous critique and guidance for this publication. Thanks are also extended to the technical staff at Murdoch University for processing the enzymatic laboratory samples. Lastly the Australian Sheep Industry CRC and Meat and Livestock Australia are thanked for their financial support for this work.


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