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This study compared the effect of two vegetable oils and their feeding duration on pig backfat quality. The experiment was conducted with 60 DanBred pigs that were fed a diet supplemented (40 g/kg) with rapeseed or soybean oil for 2, 4 or 6 weeks before slaughter at 152 d of age. The supplementation of both vegetable oils in the diets for 6 weeks negatively changed backfat consistency. The pigs fed soybean oil for 4 (17.64%) and 6 weeks (18.52%) before slaughter showed an increase in backfat linoleic acid content (p = 0.002), whereas, in contrast to the other groups, rapeseed oil in the diet for 6 weeks (2.38%) increased &alpha, linolenic acid content (p = 0.039). The content of PUFAs (p = 0.024) and n-6 PUFAs (p = 0.003) was increased by adding soybean oil to the diet for 4 and 6 weeks. The ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs was decreased (p = 0.040) by supplementing rapeseed oil for 4 and 6 weeks. The oil feeding duration decreased (p &lt, 0.001) the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. The lipid oxidative stability of backfat stored for 3 and 5 days increased (p &lt, 0.001) in pigs fed dietary vegetable oils for 6 weeks prior to slaughter. In conclusion, the feeding of rapeseed oil for 4 weeks before slaughter is sufficient for improving the FA profile without negative effect on the consistency of the backfat.

This study summarizes the knowledge about effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues on reproduction of pigs and some parameters of their offspring during period 2011-2020. Bisphenols are known as one of the most harmful environmental toxicants with endocrine-disrupting properties. One study in the reference period related to male reproductive system. Treatment with an antagonist of G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) - G15, and bisphenol A and its analogues, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and tetrachromobisphenol A (TCBPA) diversely disrupted protein molecules controlling the biogenesis and function of microRNA in Leydig cells. Nine studies examined the effect of BPA, bisphenol S (BPS) or fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF) on female reproductive system. From the possible protective effect's point of view seems to be perspective the administration of melatonin in BPA-exposed oocytes. Finally, two studies were found to evaluate the maternal exposure to BPA on offspring's meat quality, muscle metabolism and oxidative stress. Administration of methyl donor improved antioxidant enzymes activity and reduced oxidative stress in piglets.

The objective of this study was to identify the pig belly characteristics and to develop regression equations predicting its composition. Based on video image and chemical analysis of 216 bellies, the predictive variables were selected according to their relation to chemically determined belly lipid contents. To estimate the belly fat percentage (BF%), the two best equations constructed were: Equation 1: BF% = 49.960 - 0.7174 × SHME2 + 0.5047 × HE2A (R2 = 0.66, RMSE = 3.22); Equation 2: BF% = 43.888 - 0.6014 × SHME2 + 0.4769 × HE2A + 0.0014 × ARTO2 - 0.2697 × HE3A (R2 = 0.70, RMSE = 2.25), where: SHME2 = lean meat percentage area of the belly 2 from total cut area, HE2A = the Belly2 height at point 1, ARTO2 = the Belly2 total cut area, HE3A = the Belly3 height at point 1. Compared to lean meat, the percentage of belly fat (BF%) appears to be a more appropriate criterion for the objective evaluation of belly composition due to the simplicity and accuracy of the final regression equation (higher R2).

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of sire and content of fresh or ionised egg yolk in extenders on sperm motility and share of live and dead sperm in collected ejaculate, in thawed artificial insemination (AI) doses, and during thermodynamic testing compared to extenders not containing egg yolk. Ejaculates were collected once a week from 4 Holstein bulls. Each of the 20 ejaculate samples from each bull was diluted with 4 different extenders. AndroMed and Bioxcell (no egg yolk) and Triladyl and Optidyl (fresh, ionised egg yolk) were used. A total of 640 AI doses were analysed. The volume of samples, sperm concentration, and percentage of motile spermatozoa were evaluated after collection, as was sperm motility after thawing of AI doses and during thermodynamic testing. Percentages of live and dead sperm were also evaluated. The data set was analysed using SAS/STAT 9.1 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The results confirmed significant (P

The influence of linseed and corn dietary supplements on the fatty acid (FA) composition of pork was evaluated. The effects of their appropriate use and dosage on pork meat and fat technological quality were also investigated. In total 72 pigs fed complete feed mixtures were divided into 4 groups: control (C), corn- (CD), linseed- (LD), and corn + linseed-supplemented (CLD). After slaughter the lean meat share, intramuscular fat content, meat and fat colour, shear force, drip loss, and malondialdehyde content were determined. Subsequently, the FA content and sum of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids, the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio, and atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes in the loin and backfat tissue were determined. Corn and lineseed supplementation increases the content of myristic, linoleic, α-linolenic, and eicosapentaenoic acids and reduces the amount of palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, eicosenoic, and arachidonic acids. Therefore it reduces the PUFA/SFA ratio and improves atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes. No negative effects of linseed and corn supplementation on the technological characteristics of pork meat and backfat were registered. Due to the positive effects on indicators related to human health, linseed and maize supplementation can be recommended in pig diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of controlled nutrition on the selected muscle fibres indicators and carcass value in pork. The test included 72 hybrid pigs of the D x (LWD x L) genotype of a balanced sex (barrows/gilts). Animals were divided into two groups; the 1st (control) group was fed ad libitum, while the nutrition of the 2nd (experimental) group was restricted upon reaching 80 kg of live weight. The nutritional restriction was achieved by feeding the animals with maximum dose of CFM up to 2.8 kg*day-1 (corresponding to 36.4 MJ ME*day-1, 46.76 g NS*day-1 and 23.52 g LYS*day-1). From the obtained results it is evident that the daily feed intake restriction corresponds with greater number of the MLLT muscle fibers as well as with a higher IIB type muscle fibers share, higher lean meat share and a higher shoulder proportion in the carcass.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of selected factors affecting fatty acids (FA) composition in pig fat. In the experiment, the influence of nutrition, gender, carcass weight, lean meat proportion (LMP) and intramuscular fat (IMF) were monitored. The effect of diet, specifically the influence of added linseed or corn on the fatty acids composition in the backfat was studied in pigs. From the perspective of the required increase of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) only the addition of the linseed proved to have a significant effect. Another evaluated aspect concerning the FA spectrum was the gender. While the backfat in barrows showed higher (P≤0.05) amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), the backfat in gilts displayed a significantly higher proportion (P≤0.01) of the PUFA and total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). A significant effect on the PUFA proportion has also been demonstrated for the lean meat proportion (LMP) parameter, which therefore represents not only a qualitative carcass meat parameter but also plays an important role in relation to the FA composition in the fat in pigs. In connection to the FA proportion changes the study also monitored the fat oxidative stability with the use of the TBARS method. Concerning the oxidative stability the effects of nutrition, FA groups, gender, carcass weight and LMP were studied. The relationship between the above mentioned factors and oxidative stability was found to be insignificant.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of gender on the proportional representation of different types of muscle fibres and their selected characteristics. The experiment was carried out with the use of 72 crossbred pigs of final TOPIGS hybrid combination with balanced gender ratio (24 boars/24 gilts/24 barrows) at an average live weight of 22.5 kg. The average slaughter weight of the animals was 108.7 kg. In order to determine the quantitative (number) and qualitative (area, diameter, length) characteristics of the muscle fibre, samples were obtained from the loin carcass part, specifically the muscle musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT). These samples were used for the manufacture and evaluation of permanent histological slides. There were negative correlations found between the number of muscle fibres and their size. Gilts had the highest number of muscle fibres (208.55) per measured surface (1 mm2) and simultaneously the smallest diameter (66.31 μm) of muscle fibres in comparison with boars and barrows. Statistically significant (P

The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of the season on the yield and viability of embryos recovered from superovulated and flushed Holstein cows (n = 56). The embryo recovery rate (ERR, %) was determined as the proportion of totally flushed embryos (TFE, n) to the number of corpora lutea detected. The embryos were evaluated as transferable (TRANS) or non-transferable and analysed for occurrence of apoptotic cells (T+, TUNEL- index) as well as actin cytoskeleton quality (ACG). TFE and ERR were the highest during spring vs summer (149 embryos, 59.6% vs 20 embryos, 37%; P < 0.001), while they insignificantly differed in autumn (57 embryos, 48.3%). The autumn embryos presented a higher proportion of TRANS (P < 0.05, +10.56% vs spring; +18.94% vs summer). The occurrence of apoptosis in these embryos was lower (-1.38 T+ cells and -1.75% T-index; P < 0.05) and the percentage of the best ACG was higher (+35%; P < 0.05). These findings identified autumn as the best season for collection of high-quality bovine embryos.

Duchacek J., Stadnik L., Ptacek M., Beran J., Okrouhla M., Citek J., Stupka R . (2014): Effect of cow en ergy status on the hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid proportion in raw milk . Czech J. Food Sci., 32: 273–279. We evaluated the proportion of fatty acid groups, with an emphasis on hypercholesterolaemic fatty acids, in the milk of 25 Holstein cows during the 1 st period of lactation in relation to their negative energy balance (NEB). Sampling of each cow’s milk started on the 7 th day after calving. Milk samples ( n = 425) were collected at 7-day periods during the first 17 weeks of lactation. The proportion (%) of saturated (SFA), hypercholesterolaemic (HCFA), volatile (VFA), unsaturated (UFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in the milk fat was determined. Body condition score and fat to protein ratio in milk were applied for precise determination of the NEB breakpoint during the observed period. The effects of parity, NEB, regression on lactation week and fat to protein ratio were evaluated using SAS 9.3. Milk contained a lower proportion of SFA as well as equally higher UFA (± 2.13%; P < 0.01) during the NEB period. The overcoming of NEB caused an increase in SFA, however, and simultaneously a significant decline in total HCFA (–1.86%; P < 0.01) as well as main MUFA (–1.81%, P < 0.05). The results document the necessity of increasing Holstein cow robustness to meet the production conditions in dairy farms in relation to the requirement of higher nutrient quality as well as the potential health benefits of cow’s raw milk for consumers.

The aim of this study was to perform the CAST gene polymorphism genotyping and to verify its possible influence on the quantitative and qualitative indicators characterizing carcass value in pigs. The study found a significant effect of the CAST gene on carcass value. In the case of alelle A present in the CAST/HinfI gene there was a higher lean meat share (i.e. lower fat content) and therefore the detected quality of pork meat was lower. The significant differences were found between the homozygotes AA and heterozygotes AB, mainly in the amount of fat content (P?0.05). Concerning the CAST/MspI gene, it was found that genotype CD caused higher lean meat share due to the higher shares of muscles in the main meat parts. However higher lean meat share does lead to lower quality of the meat. Another discovered influence was that of the allele D, which was associated with the intramuscular fat content (IMF) in the neck (P?0.05). Our results also show signifiant influence (P?0.05) of the allele C on the qualitative indicators of pork meat (MS EC50). Concerning the CAST/RsaI polymorphism, the study proved that this polymorphism doesn?t influence any of the monitored qualitative parameters.

Histochemical and biochemical muscle fibre properties are the factors that influence the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pork meat. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of genetic effects of selected genetic markers MyoD genes andRYR1on the achieved indicators of muscle fibres in the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT). The study included a total number of 216 hybrid pigs with the mean slaughter weight of 123 kg. Gene polymorphism was determined by the PCR-RFLP method. The gene polymorphism was determined in theRYR1, MYOD1, MYOG,andMYF6genes.Muscle fibre types from MLLT were identified. Concerning theRYR1gene, the study found that homozygous-dominant animals reached a lower number of type I (8.35 vs. 10.52;P< 0.05) and a higher number of IIA (3.66 vs. 2.10;P< 0.05) and a higher number of IIB (76.61 vs. 67.91;P< 0.05). The maximum number in all types of muscle fibres reached BB genotype of theMYOGgene (type I: 14.02; IIA: 18.47; IIB: 83.08;P< 0.05). The AA genotype of theMYOD1gene showed the lowest (P< 0.05) number of muscle in all fibre types (type I: 9.20; IIA: 0.85; IIB: 69.23). The influence of individual genotypes of selected genes on the selected muscle fibre characteristics was proven. The obtained results confirm the possibility of affecting the quality of pork with genomic selection of MyoD genes family.

The aim of the study was to estimate the live weight and lean meat percentage (LMP) using image analysis. The image analysis technique is based on finding certain anatomical proportions in pigs. The test was carried out with the use of 72 hybrids pigs. At the age of 120 and 170 days and at an ABW 64 and 110 kg, the animals were individually weighed and photographed. The total of 7 linear and 4 areal dimensions were measured on the live animals. Using correlation analysis, the relationship between average body weight (ABW), carcass quality and body measurements was determined. The study found higher positive correlation coefficients between the measured length dimensions and the weight of the main carcass parts. Video image analysis appears to be a suitable method for the body parts weight determination. However, the presumption of a reliable LMP estimation wasn’t confirmed in any of the measurements.

The effect of a dietary linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) supplement on the traits of fattening, carcass value, physical and chemical characteristics of meat quality, and the fatty acid composition of pig meat was evaluated. Seventy-two hybrids (Czech Large White (paternal) × (Czech Large White (maternal) × Czech Lan- drace)) were divided into four treatments according to diet (0 and 150 g/kg linseed) and sex (barrows and gilts). A significantly (P = 0.050) higher feed conversion value was ascertained in barrows fed with linseed compared with the other three groups. Most of the physical and chemical characteristics of the carcasses were not signifi- cantly influenced by dietary linseed addition or sex. The linseed supplement significantly (P < 0.001) increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content and PUFA/SFA (saturated fatty acid) ratio, especially through increasing the n-3 PUFA content, and decreased the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content, the MUFA/ PUFA, MUFA/SFA, and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios and the thrombogenic index. Supplementation of the diet with linseed modified the fatty acid composition and improved fatty acid ratios in both sexes, without any negative effect on performance, carcass value or physical and chemical indicators of pig meat quality.

The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of the MYOG, MYF6 and MYOD1 genes on selected meat quality traits in crossbred pigs. The observation of these effects on the total amount of 20 indicators of meat quality traits was carried out on a sample of 124 slaughter pigs of cross-breed combinations Pietrain × (Large WhiteD × Landrace) and (Large WhiteS × Duroc) × (Large WhiteD × Landrace), all tested at the Test and Experiment Station of the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague. The MYOG gene was discovered to have a significant effect on the water content in the ham and shoulder and on the intramuscular fat content in the shoulder. Concerning the MYF4 locus, the pigs of the AA genotype showed a higher content of intramuscular fat (P < 0.01) than the pigs of the BB genotype. The MYOD1 gene had a statistically significant effect on the water content in the ham and loin and on the muscle area of the belly (the belly fat share). Also, regarding the MYOD1 locus, the pigs of the AA genotype showed a higher lean meat content in the belly (P < 0.01) than the pigs of the BB genotype. Based on the results of this study, it can be stated that mutations in the MYOG, MYF6 and MYOD1 genes show a significant effect on the pork meat quality. Key words : Pig, meat quality, MyoD family genes

The current knowledge of factors regulating voluntary feed intake in pigs is quite limited. The objective of this study was to test the influence of the missense mutation p.Asp298Asn (AF087937:c.746G>A) of the MC4R gene on selected production traits in pig crosses. These crosses are commonly used on com - mercial farms in the Czech Republic. The allele frequencies of c.746G>A were as follows: G allele - 0.59 and A allele - 0.41. We detected statistically significant differences in the content of intramuscular fat in the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis, and a similar trend was observed in shoulder and neck. A allele correlated with higher values of fatness and G allele with a higher percentage of lean meat. However, we did not find any significant influence on either feed intake or growth rate in this study. For another muta

Abstr Act : Estimates of the effects influencing the economics of pig production are of primary importance for breeders. For this purpose, costs, revenues and profitability were determined on the basis of individual parameters of the efficiency of tested pigs and of average commodity prices. The calculation was the result of the efficiency of actual animals and of the average and simulated prices of inputs received by producers in large-scale production operations. 136 animals, 64 of crossbred combinations (LWs × D) × (LW D × L) and 72 of PN × (LW D × L) were used. The total cost of 1 pig represented the costs per weaned piglet, feed and other costs; the revenues represented the actual price of a pig at slaughter. Multivariable hierarchical models were constructed to assess the relationships between the following factors: crossbred combination, nutrition and sex, ADG, number of piglets bred, CFM price and carcass price with the outcome variables: costs, revenues and profitability. The results demonstrated that the total cost of fattening pig is considerably influenced by the price of a piglet and feed, not by the price of the carcass and the growth intensity. There was no proof of a relationship between the price of a pig and reproduction and/or the price of feed. Profitability is significantly influenced by the reproduction rate, price of feed, growth intensity and revenues. The results also showed that the intensity of nutrition and the sex considerably influence the total cost of 1 fattened pig, which represents an increase in the total cost by 3.80 € in the application of ad libitum feeding techniques, and 5.39 €/pc in the fattening of barrows. The choice of a suitable combination represents a decrease in the total cost by 1.49% and an increase in revenues by 2.93%. Profitability is significantly associated with the intensity of nutrition, sex and breed. With unrestricted feeding it is reduced by 4.1%, for barrows by 6.6%, and in the use of four-breed combinations of crossbreds it increases by 4.13%.

The objective of this study was to document the accuracy of the classification equipment used in the Czech Republic with respect to measurement errors in lean meat percentage prediction such as point of measurement error, equipment error as well as operator error. To this end, a total of 720 pigs were measured in one abattoir. One can say from the results that the correlations between correct and surrogate measurements of fat depth are high (0.95-0.98), for muscle thickness they are lower ranging from 0.49 to 0.88, and for lean meat percentage they are in the range of 0.85-0.95. The lowest correlation (0.49) was calculated for muscle depth mea - surement between the 2 nd and 3 rd last rib when the place of measurement was moved 1 cm in the caudal direction, which influenced the level of the FOM correlation. It was further demonstrated that for the second insertion the differences in lean meat percentage prediction ranged from -6.07% to +9.29%. It was also demonstrated that various instruments provided identical measurements of fat depth ( r = 0.57-0.97), while for muscle depth the performance was worse ( r = 0.38-0.78), which caused a fluctuation in the prediction of lean meat percentage with differences ranging from -2.56% to +2.81%. It can also be concluded that a high agreement between operators was demonstrated for the determination of lean meat percentage ( r = 0.71-0.80).

The objective of work was to evaluate effects of milk production level (MY1≥9500 kg, n=23; MY2 = 8000-9499, n=28; and MY3≤7999 kg, n=29) and calving interval length (CI1≥440 days, n=22; CI2 = 400-439 days, n=33; and CI3≤399 days, n=25) on the lactation curve parameters calculated using MilkBot® Model and economic profitability of Holstein dairy cow breeding. Data were obtained from 80 Holstein cows on 1st to 4th parity calved between January and August 2012 on the dairy farm of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague in Czech Republic. Lactation curve parameters differed more in relation with milk production level compared to calving interval length. Lactation curve in cows with the highest MY was characterized with significantly higher overall magnitude (scale parameter) of milk production (P, Cilj rada bio je procijeniti učinke razine proizvodnje mlijeka (MY1≥9500 kg, n = 23; MY2 = 8000-9499, n = 28, i MY3≤7999 kg, n = 29) i duljine intervala teljenja (CI1≥440 dana, N = 22; CI2 = 400-439 dana, n = 33, i CI3≤399 dana, n = 25) na parametre laktacijske krivulje, kod holstein krava, koji su analizirani MilkBot® modelom. Također su praćeni parametri ekonomske isplativosti. Podaci su dobiveni za 80 holstein krava koje su bile u proizvodnji od prve do četvrte laktacije, a sezona teljenja bila je između siječnja i kolovoza 2012. godine. Istraživanje je provedeno na farmi mliječnih krava Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. Parametri laktacijske krivulje razlikovali su se više u odnosu na razinu proizvodnje mlijeka nego u odnosu na duljinu intervala teljenja. Laktacijsku krivulju u krava s najvećom količinom mlijeka karakterizira značajno veća ukupna proizvodnja mlijeka (P

The objective of this study was to find out the amino acid composition of pig meat in relation to live weight and sex. In total 80 (40 barrows/40 gilts) finishing pigs of the final hybrid kept in the Czech Republic ((CL × CLW) × (D × PN)) = ((Czech Landrace × Czech Large White) × (Duroc × Pietrain)) were used in this experiment. The pigs were slaughtered at the average age of 168-171 days after birth, at the average live weight of 112.2 kg. The samples of meat were taken from the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT) 24 hours post mortem and subsequently subjected to the chemical analysis. As for the essential and semi-essential amino acids (EAA/SEAA), the highest content was found out in lysine, leucine and arginine. Among the nonessential amino acids (NEAA) glutamic and aspartic acid were present. The highest values of threonine (6.81%), isoleucine (6.13%), leucine (9.21%), lysine (10.54%), arginine (7.88%), serine (6.13%), glutamic acid (15.65%), glycine (6.04%) and alanine (6.25%) were found out in gilts, of valine (6.36%) and proline (5.56%) in the group of barrows with the highest live weight, i.e. 115.1 kg and more. The highest value of phenylalanine (1.34%) was measured in the group with the lowest live weight. The indirect dependence between the content of amino acids and live weight was determined only for valine in gilts. The influence of live weight was found in proline and the influence of sex as statistically significant on the probability level P ≤ 0.05 was found in lysine. The highest/lowest values of water content in barrows as well as in gilts were measured in the group of 115.1 kg and more/105.1-115 kg live weight. A decreasing tendency of the content of intramuscular fat (IMF) was recorded with the increasing live weight. The values of water content, IMF and ash content were found to be significant on the probability level P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01. In barrows with the growth of live weight the content of crude proteins also increased. In gilts the content of crude proteins reached the point of inflexion already in the group of 105.1-115 kg live weight. In the values of crude protein content the influence of live weight was not significant. With the growth of live weight the content of ash also slightly increased.

The test focussed on the evaluation of production traits, i.e. fattening performance and quantitative aspect of the carcass value in 4 genotypes of pigs by means of station tests. The tests included 288 hybrid pigs of the VEPIG and (LW d ×L) genotypes mated by hybrid-boars of (PN×D), (PN×H), (LW s ×BL). The outcomes have proved the existence of marked genotype differences in the production traits and, consequently, also in the economics which means for the pig bre- eders in the current period a significant measure conducing to the improvement of the economics of pig breeding. As the best, there has been proved the VEPIG genotype of pigs, which has shown the best results in all qualities of the fattening performance and carcass value. This genotype has also reflected best its highest growth intensity in the formation of meat which has been manifested positively in the classification of slaughter pigs, i.e. the profit per a slaughter pig in the amount of 625 CZK. In contrast, the other combinations have shown a loss which in the (LW d ×L) × (LW s ×BL) genotypes amounted to 324.50 CZK, in (LW d ×L) × (PN×D) 228 CZK and in (LW d ×L) × (PN×H) 279 CZK. Therefore it has to be stated that a deliberate selection of a suitable genotype is of a vital importance in order to be able to face the current considerably unfa- vourable situation in pig breeding.

Eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EEF1A) plays a key role in protein synthesis. In higher vertebrates EEF1A occurs in two isoforms, EEF1A1 and EEF1A2, encoded by distinct genes. The purpose of this study was to compare the two porcine genes as for the genomic sequence, gene organization and mRNA expression in different tissues, as well as to search for polymorphism and chromosomal assignment. Standard methods of DNA and mRNA analysis were used. We determined the complete genomic sequence of the porcine EEF1A1 and EEF1A2 genes. The two genes differ in the lengths of transcription units (3102 and 8588 bp, respectively), but have similar genomic organization and their coding sequences are highly similar (78 % identity of coding sequences and 92.4 % identity of amino acid sequences). Several polymorphisms in the two genes were detected. EEF1A1 and EEF1A2 were mapped to SSC1p11.1 and SSC17q23.3, respectively. mRNA of EEF1A1 was expressed in all studied tissues (the highest expression was in 44-day fetal muscle and low expression in adult liver and brain), while EEF1A2 was expressed only in skeletal-muscle, tongue, heart, diaphragm and brain tissues. EEF1A2 was not expressed in fetal muscle tissue (44 days). In this paper results are provided on genomic sequences, genomic organization, polymorphism, chromosomal assignment and spatial and temporal expressions of the porcine EEF1A1 and EEF1A2 genes. Novel polymorphisms were described in both genes. Porcine EEF1A2 was studied for the first time.

The aim of this work was to determine the accuracy of the lean meat share (LM) estimate with FOM instrumentation, in pigs. A total of 720 pigs were measured at slaughterhouses. The tests were carried out to determine the ability to measure the same value with repeated injections in the same point of the pig carcass, taking into account the operator, the equipment and the state. Based on the observed measurements it can be stated that the difference between measurements of the muscle and fat in the first and repeated injections is very low. The pigs LM estimation in the CR, compared to the SR is, for both punctures, higher. As regards repeatability, it is obvious that the pig measuring in the SR is performed more carefully. Also, CR operators, compared to SR, exhibit, in the case of repeated punctures, a greater variability.

Background Independent studies have shown that several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the human FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene are associated with obesity. SNP have also been identified in the pig FTO gene, among which some are associated with selected fat-deposition traits in F2 crosses and commercial populations. In this study, using both commercial pig populations and an experimental Meishan × Pietrain F2 population, we have investigated the association between one FTO SNP and several growth and carcass traits. Association analyses were performed with the FTO polymorphism either alone or in combination with polymorphisms in flanking loci. Methods SNP (FM244720:g.400C>G) in exon 3 of porcine FTO was genotyped by PCR-RFLP and tested for associations with some growth, carcass and fat-related traits. Proportions of genetic variance of four pig chromosome 6 genes (FTO, RYR1, LIPE and TGFB1) on selected traits were evaluated using single- and multi-locus models. Results Linkage analysis placed FTO on the p arm of pig chromosome 6, approximately 22 cM from RYR1. In the commercial populations, allele C of the FTO SNP was significantly associated with back fat depth and allele G with muscling traits. In the Meishan × Pietrain F2 pigs, heterozygotes with allele C from the Pietrain sows and allele G from the Meishan boar were more significantly associated with fat-related traits compared to homozygotes with allele G from the Pietrain and allele G from the Meishan breed. In single- and multi-locus models, genes RYR1, TGFB1 and FTO showed high associations. The contribution in genetic variance from the polymorphism in the FTO gene was highest for back fat depth, meat area on the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis tissues and metabolite glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Conclusions Our results show that in pig, FTO influences back fat depth in the commercial populations, while in the Meishan × Pietrain F2 pigs with a CG genotype, heterosis occurs for several fat-related traits.

Okrouhla M., Stupka R., Citek J., Sprysl M., Trnka M., Kluzakova E. (2008): Effect of lean meat proportion on the chemical composition of pork. Czech J. Food Sci., 26: 464–469. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of the lean meat proportion on the chemical composition of the meaty parts (loin and ham) of pork. A total of 116 finishing hybrid pigs commonly used in the Czech Republic were fattened for this purpose. The pigs were divided according to the lean meat proportion criterion into 3 groups, i.e. more than 60.0%, 55.0–59.9% and 50.0–54.9%. Representative muscle samples were taken from the right halves of these pigs. They were then homogenised and submitted to chemical analysis. The results of the measuring showed that the values of the water content, intramuscular fat (IMF), crude proteins, and ash matter ranged in the loin between 72.50–72.80%, 1.56–1.96%, 23.20–23.40%, and 1.37–1.40%, respectively, and in the ham between of 70.43–71.59%, 3.52–4.26%, 21.67–21.95%, and 1.42–1.56%, respectively. The ascertained values of the water content and crude pro teins with regard to the increasing lean meat proportion in the carcasses did not show any developmental tendencies. As for the content of IMF, it was determined that the higher was the lean meat proportion, the lower was the IMF content. Concerned of sensoric quality traits it means that pork meat from supermeaty hybrid pigs shows lower qual ity. Concerning the content of ash matter, it was observed that the ash content increased with an increasing lean meat proportion. In the carcass part of the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT), it was demonstrated that the higher was the lean meat proportion, the lower was the content of amino acids – threonine, isoleucine, lysine, as partic acid, serine, and proline. From point of the production of exceedingly meaty pigs (over 60%), it can be expected a worse nutritional pork meat value. In the carcass portion of the musculus semimembranosus (MS), the contents of valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, serine, proline, and glycine increased with an increasing lean meat propor tion. Within the framework of statistical evaluation of differences between the groups, the values of IMF ( p ≤ 0.01) in MLLT, water content, IMF, ash matter, threonine, valine, phenylalanine, lysine, aspartic acid, serine, glycine, and alanine in MS were highly significant ( p ≤ 0.05; p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.001).

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of weight and sex on fat amounts in relation to the formation of selected carcass cuts in final hybrid pigs commonly kept in the Czech Republic. During the experiment 123 hybrid pigs of various genotypes were tested. The pigs were slaughtered at an average weight of 120.4 kg and dissected in detail. The tested pigs were divided into 5 weight categories, while the tissue composition of ham, joint, shoulder and neck was monitored with emphasis on the assessment of IMF content. A decrease in the lean meat proportion was shown, as well as an increasing fat proportion with increasing weight: for the joint the difference was 4.19%, for the ham 3.9%, shoulder 3.0%, and neck 2.31%. With increasing weight, a moderate increase in intramuscular fat occurred, whereas the differences between group 1 and 5 were: 1.68% for the ham, 0.58% (shoulder), 0.4% (joint) and 0.37% (neck). Concerning the influence of sex, barrows had statistically insignificant intramuscular fat content compared with gilts (excluding the neck). As for the protein content in the monitored carcass cuts, no influence of live weight and sex was recorded.