Effects of breed, gender, and halothane genotype on fatty acid composition of pork longissimus dorsi muscle

¹ Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010
² Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50010

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: stalder{at}iastate.edu.

	Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of breed, gender, and halothane genotype on fatty acid composition and several fatty acid indices of lipid extracted from porcine longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. Purebred Yorkshire (n = 436), Duroc (n = 353), Hampshire (n = 218), Spotted (n = 187), Chester White (n = 173), Poland China (n = 124), Berkshire (n = 256), and Landrace (n = 187) pigs (n = 1,934; 1,128 barrows and 806 gilts) from 1991, 1992, 1994, and 2001 National Barrow Show Sire Progeny Tests were used. Pigs were classified as either HAL-1843^TM normal (NN) genotype (n = 1,718), or HAL-1843^TM carrier (Nn) genotype (n = 216). A mixed model was used for statistical analysis that included fixed effects of breed, gender, halothane genotype, test, harvest date, interaction of breed and gender, and random effects of sire and dam within breed. Breed significantly affected the concentration of individual fatty acids, total lipid content, and the values of several fatty acid indices of LD muscle. Duroc pigs had the greatest (P < 0.01) content of total saturated fatty acids (SFA). Total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) concentration in Poland China pigs was greater (P < 0.05) than in all other breeds except the Spotted (P > 0.05). The concentrations of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were greater (P < 0.01) in Hampshire, Landrace, and Yorkshire pigs compared to those of other breeds. Significant gender differences for individual fatty acids were detected. Barrows had greater (P < 0.01) concentration of SFA and MUFA, but lower (P < 0.01) total PUFA, compared to gilts. Halothane genotype was a significant source of variation for the percentages of some fatty acids. Pigs with HAL-1843^TM carrier (Nn) genotype had lower concentration of SFA (P < 0.05) and MUFA (P < 0.01), but greater concentration of PUFA (P < 0.01), compared to NN pigs. There were significant negative correlations between total lipid content and individual PUFA and significant positive correlations between lipid concentration and most individual SFA and MUFA. In conclusion, our results suggest that breed and gender are important sources of variation for fatty acid composition of LD muscle.

Key Words: pig, fatty acid, breed, gender, halothane genotype, longissimus dorsi

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