Breed effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition, and palatability attributes in finishing steers.

Abstract

Crossbred steers (n = 136) were used to assess breed differences in growth performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition (total lipids and phospholipids), and palatability attributes of longissimus muscle. A multiple regression model was applied to crossbreeding data to estimate genetic differences between Simmental and Red Angus at the same level of backfat finish (10 mm). Simmental spent 71 more (P < 0.001) days on feed to acquire the same degree of backfat thickness as Red Angus, had heavier (P < 0.001) slaughter weights, larger (P = 0.002) longissimus muscle area, and increased (P = 0.023) lean yield. Average daily gain did not differ (P = 0.297) between breeds. Simmental were less (P = 0.012) efficient in converting feed to gain than Red Angus. Generally, there were few breed differences in palatability attributes for longissimus and semitendinosus muscles, with the exception of increased (P < 0.05) beef flavor scores for Simmental beef vs Red Angus beef across both muscles. For total lipids, concentrations of myristoleic acid (14:1), palmitoleic acid (16:1), and vaccenic acid (18:1n-7), along with n-6 to n-3 fatty acid (n-6:n-3) ratio, were greater (P < 0.05) in Simmental than Red Angus. In contrast, concentrations of margaric acid (17:0), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), and total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) were greater (P < 0.05) in Red Angus than Simmental. For phospholipids, Simmental had lower (P < 0.05) amounts of 20:5n-3, docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3), and n-3 PUFA, with a greater (P = 0.017) n-6:n-3 ratio. Activity of delta9-desaturase enzyme in the conversion of palmitic acid (16:0) to 16:1 was greater (P = 0.001) in total lipids from Simmental as compared with Red Angus. A genetic basis for fatty acid differences is suggested, although the biological and practical significance needs to be demonstrated.

Meat quality and fatty acid profile of the musculus longissimus lumborum in Czech Fleckvieh, Charolais and Charolais × Czech Fleckvieh bulls fed different types of silages

“…In this study, however, the CF bulls had less C18:3n-3, PUFA n-3 and a higher PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratio compared to the CH. Like in our study, a lower concentration of PUFA n-3 and a higher PUFA n-6/PUFA n-3 ratio were found in total muscle lipids of Simmental as compared to Red Angus steers (Laborde et al, 2001).…”

“…Differences between cattle breeds have been reported for Simmental and Red Angus steers (Laborde et al, 2001), Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus bulls (Cuvelier et al, 2006), and for bulls with a different double muscling genotype (Aldai et al, 2008).…”

Meat fatty acid composition as affected by fatness and genetic factors: a review

“…double-muscled bulls, the c9t11CLA content was positively related to the total intramuscular fatty acid content [68], corresponding to the fact that CLA are mainly found in the triacylglycerol fraction. In line with the absence of a double-muscled genotype effect [66], no effect of breed on the CLA content of beef was found by Laborde et al [38] and Mir et al [54]. However, breed differences for the CLA content in milk and a large variation in the CLA content of milk of individual cows have been found [40,42].…”

“…Itoh et al [34] found significant differences between Angus and Simmental in the deposition of C18:3n-3 and of the longer chain fatty acids, but breed × diet interactions were present for some of the fatty acids, making it difficult to interpret the breed effects. Also Laborde et al [38] found differences in total and individual n-3 fatty acids in the longissimus muscle when Red Angus and Simmental steers were compared, while no breed effects were detected for individual and total n-6 PUFA.…”

Effect of whole cottonseed v. sunflower seed on the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat, longissimus dorsi and blood of Thai Native and Holstein bulls

“…For instance, Huerta-Leidenz et al (1993) reported that proportions of both MUFA and PUFA in adipose tissue were significantly greater in Bos indicus compared with Bos taurus cattle. Interestingly, Laborde et al (2001) reported that the SFA content in Red Angus is higher than in Simmental because of a difference in SCD activity between the two breeds. Furthermore, De La Torre et al (2006) suggested that the difference in the proportion of CLA in meat from B. indicus compared with B. taurus cattle is caused by a difference in SCD activity.…”