Comparison of longissimus thoracis physical quality traits and the expression of tenderness-related genes between Goudali zebu breed and Italian Simmental × Goudali crossbreed

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to compare some meat physical quality traits and the expression of some tenderness-related genes between Goudali (G, Bos indicus) breed and Italian Simmental  Goudali (SimGoud, SG, Bos taurus x Bos indicus) crossbreed. Ten G and 12 SG bulls, aged 31 ± 0.49 months, bred in the same farm and conditions in Western Highland Plateau Savannah of Cameroon were considered. Physical quality traits of longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle such as water losses, colour parameters and rheological properties were determined together with ultimate pH (pHu). The mRNA early post-mortem abundance of calpain-1 (Capn1), calpain-2 (Capn2), calpastatin (Cast), caspase 3 (Casp3), caspase 9 (Casp9), aB-crystallin (Cryab), heat shock proteins 27 (Hsp27), 40 (Hsp40) and 70 (Hsp70) was detected by qPCR. The Capn1, Cast, Hsp27 and Hsp70, early post-mortem protein content was determined by ELISA. The meat of G bulls had greater values of lightness (p < .05) and cooking loss (p < .05) than SG. The expression of Hsp70 in G was greater at mRNA (p < .05) level than SG. None of the other variables considered was significantly different between G and SG breeds. Whereas crossbreeding with Italian Simmental breed changed the colour and ameliorated the water retention capacity of G meat, tenderness and the expression of tenderness-related genes, both at mRNA and at protein level, were not significantly different between the pure local breed and the crossbreed. In comparison with pure Goudali, crossbreeding Goudali with Italian Simmental breed has a limited impact on meat traits in tropical conditions. ARTICLE HISTORY

Using Bioelements Isotope Ratios and Fatty Acid Composition to Deduce Beef Origin and Zebu Feeding Regime in Cameroon

“…The Goudali is the most popular of the breeds, especially in the sector of small farmers in the Adamawa highlands of Cameroon [ 7 ]. Despite its importance, few characterization studies have been conducted on the Cameroonian zebu meat [ 8 , 9 ]. Data were collected on live weight (LW), heart circumference (HG), height at withers (HW), trunk length (TL), age, sex, and coat color of zebu by Ebangi et al [ 10 ], while body and meat characteristics of young bulls from Zebu Goudali of Cameroon were reported by Ojong et al [ 8 ].…”

“…Data were collected on live weight (LW), heart circumference (HG), height at withers (HW), trunk length (TL), age, sex, and coat color of zebu by Ebangi et al [ 10 ], while body and meat characteristics of young bulls from Zebu Goudali of Cameroon were reported by Ojong et al [ 8 ]. Saccà et al compared the Goudali breed with its Italian Simmental crosses in terms of meat physical qualities and expression of some tenderness-related genes[ 8 , 9 ]. Genetic diversity, introgression, and relationships with Bos taurus were studied using genotype information on 28 markers (16 microsatellite, 7 milk protein, and 5 blood protein markers) by Ibeagha-Awemu et al [ 11 ].…”