Genotype and gender effects on sheep limb bone growth and maturation: selection for loin depth causes bone hypotrophy
M. A. Cake A B D , M. D. Boyce A B , G. E. Gardner A B , D. L. Hopkins A C and D. W. Pethick A BA Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
B School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia.
C NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Sheep Meat Development, Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: mcake@murdoch.edu.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(10) 1128-1136 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA07058
Submitted: 1 March 2007 Accepted: 27 June 2007 Published: 19 September 2007
Abstract
This study aimed to compare limb bone growth between offspring of typical crosses used in Australian prime lamb production. Limb bones from sheep of five genotypes – Merino (M × M), Border Leicester sire × Merino (BL × M), Poll Dorset sires selected for growth × Merino (PDg × M), Poll Dorset sires selected for eye muscle depth (PDm × M) × Merino, or second cross (PDg × BLM) – at four time points from 4 to 22 months of age (n = 593) were dissected, measured and weighed. Growth curves were fitted within genotype groups and used to compare (i) overall limb bone growth in terms of length and weight, (ii) differences in allometric growth coefficients for individual bones, (iii) relative limb bone proportions, and (iv) maturity proportion. Results showed two distinct phenotypes in terms of limb bone growth: (i) relative bone hypotrophy of lambs from PDm × M, suggesting that selection for loin depth (PEMD EBV) may be linked with smaller limb size and that their higher muscle : bone ratio may be due to a relative decrease in bone rather than increase muscle weight; and (ii) Merinos were found to have comparable limb length to terminal sire crosses, although distal limb elements were proportionately longer at the expense of the proximal segments that are associated larger muscles. There was a general lack of major differences in bone growth between sheep very different in other production traits, particularly when compared allometrically. Thus, differences in bone growth, proportion or skeletal maturation were greater between ewes and wethers than between these divergent genotypes. PDm × M and BL × M were found to be earlier maturing in terms of limb length, although the bone mineral profile (magnesium content) of PDm × M was suggestive of relative physiological immaturity.
Acknowledgements
The technical support for this study provided by David Stanley, Leonie Martin, Edwina Toohey, Tony Markham, Jayce Morgan, Andrew Roberts, Sally Martin, Brent McLeod, Steve Sinclair, Joe Brunner, Stuart McClelland and Amanda Lang (NSW Department of Primary Industries), Kirstie Martin and Kirsty Thomson (University of New England), Peter Allingham, Tracy Lamb and Rachel McGee (funded by CSIRO), Drs Danny Suster and Matt McDonagh, Matt Kerr, Dete Hasse, Oliver Fernando, Erin Rutty, Paul Eason and Fahri Fahri (DPI, Victoria), Dr Greg Nattrass (SARDI), Dr Jason White (UWA), and Dr Robin Jacob (DAWA) is very gratefully acknowledged. The excellent cooperation of Junee Abattoir employees and management is also gratefully acknowledged. The study was funded by Meat & Livestock Australia and the Australian Sheep Industry Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
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