Muscle fibre characteristics and metabolic response at slaughter in pigs of different halothane genotypes and their relation to meat quality

Muscle samples for histochemical and biochemical analyses were taken immediately at slaughter from M. longissimus dorsi of pigs with different halothane genotypes (NN and nn). Fibre type composition was similar between groups but the nn-genotype had larger mean fibre areas and lower capillary density than the NN-genotype. At exsanguination the nn-genotype had lower muscle pH (pH(e)), higher lactate and ammonia and lower glycogen and phosphagen (ATP and CP) concentrations and twice as many glycogen-depleted type IIA and IIB fibres as compared with the NN-genotype. Muscle pH(e) was correlated positively to capillary density, glycogen and phosphagen concentrations and negatively to mean fibre area, ammonia and lactate concentrations. Ammonia concentrations were correlated negatively to ATP concentrations and positively to the percentage of glycogen-depleted IIB fibres. The highest reflectance and drip loss values were seen in the nn-genotype. The reflectance values were correlated positively to the percentage of glycogen-depleted type IIB fibres in muscle and the values for drip loss were correlated negatively to pH(e). These data show that fibre size and capillary density in muscle seem to be important factors that influence the metabolic response at slaughter and thus meat quality.     

Relationships of myosin heavy chain fibre types to meat quality traits in traditional and modern pigs

Porcine skeletal muscle fibres were molecularly classified, using in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemistry, into four types, according to the isoform of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) that was present in each fibre (MyHC slow/I, MyHC 2a, MyHC 2x and MyHC 2b). The relationship between MyHC fibre types and meat quality traits between two phenotypically divergent muscles [longissimus dorsi (LD) and psoas], and between the same muscles of different breeds (traditional Berkshire and Tamworth, and modern Duroc-based and Large White-based) were examined. We found that the greater abundance of fast oxidative-glycolytic MyHC 2a and 2x fibres in the psoas was associated with superior meat quality traits, and that the greater presence of fast glycolytic MyHC 2b fibres in the LD could account for less favourable quality traits, both in terms of pH, drip loss, grain, colour, yield force and work done. Although significant correlations were found between specific fibre types and quality traits, within either the psoas or LD muscle of some breeds, no consistent correlation was found across both muscles and all breeds. This finding was in line with the view that a given fibre type could have considerable differences in phenotype between breeds, and between muscles. The observed inverse compositional and functional-meat quality relationship between MyHC 2b and 2x fibres, and MyHC 2b and 2a fibres could form a basis of fibre type manipulation to improve meat quality.     

Investigation of candidate genes for glycolytic potential of porcine skeletal muscle: Association with meat quality and production traits in Italian Large White pigs

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of DNA markers in candidate genes for glycolytic potential on meat quality parameters (pH(1), pH(u), glycogen and lactate content and glycolytic potential of semimembranosus muscle) and estimated breeding values (EBVs) for average daily gain, lean cuts, back fat thickness, ham weight, and feed:gain ratio in 272 Italian Large White pigs. Three mutations in the PRKAG3 gene (T30N, G52S and I199V) were investigated as well as single nucleotide polymorphisms in two other skeletal muscle genes (PGAM2 and PKM2) involved in the glycolytic pathway. Association analysis with the PRKAG3 markers showed significant results (P<0.05) only for pH(1) (I199V, with significant additive effect) and lactate content (T30N), confirming, at least in part, the effects of this gene on meat quality traits. Significant association (P<0.05) was also observed for PGAM2 and ham weight EBV with significant additive and dominance effects. PKM2 was associated with average daily gain, lean cuts (P<0.001), back fat thickness and feed:gain ratio (P<0.05), with significant additive and/or dominance effects on these traits. PKM2 encodes for a key enzyme of the muscle glycolytic pathway and maps on porcine chromosome 7 where other studies have reported important QTL for the same traits. These data might suggest an important function of this gene in the mechanisms that produce the observed effects. The results will be important to evaluate the inclusion of some of these DNA polymorphisms in marker assisted selection programs.     

Characterization of Longissimus thoracis,Semitendinosus and Masseter muscles and relationships with technological quality in pigs. 1. Microscopic analysis of muscles

Three porcine muscles (Longissimus thoracis, Semitendinosus, Masseter), known to have large differences in biochemical and histological traits, were fully characterized and the link between muscle structure and quality evaluated. The oxidative Masseter had more pigment, higher content of metmyoglobin, haem iron, protein and collagen, and was redder with higher fibre numbers, fibre circularity, pH and water holding capacity than the glycolytic Longissimus. Fibre type distribution showed predominance of type IIB in Longissimus and Semitendinosus white, type I in Semitendinosus red and IIA in Masseter. Type I fibres were larger than type IIB and IIA in Semitendinosus and Masseter, respectively, but not in the Longissimus, indicating that fibre size is muscle dependent. Muscle redness was positively correlated with type I fibre traits, haem iron and metmyoglobin, and negatively associated with type II fibre characteristics, non-haem iron and oxymyoglobin. Expressible juice had positive correlation with fibre size and negative with fibre number and connective tissue.     

Investigation on interferon alpha-inducible protein 6 (IFI6) gene as a candidate for meat and carcass quality in pig

The aim of this research was to screen for polymorphism and to perform an association study of IFI6 with meat and carcass quality traits. A SNP (g.370A>G) was detected which was associated (P<0.05) with meat colour, pH 24h post mortem (p.m.) in ham, conductivity 45 min p.m. in loin and conductivity 24 h p.m. in ham, drip loss and carcass length in Duroc x Pietrain and with meat colour, muscle area and ham percentage in the Pietrain population. Highest expression of IFI6 mRNA was detected in skeletal muscle (longissimus dorsi) by qRT-PCR comparing different tissues. Both qRT-PCR and western blot revealed that the IFI6 gene and protein expressions were significantly (P<0.05) higher in skeletal muscle with low drip loss compared to that of high drip loss. IFI6 protein was localized in the myocytes membrane. Results suggested that IFI6 might play roles in meat and carcass quality and is a potential positional, physiological and functional candidate gene for improving meat quality traits in pigs.     

Muscle glycogen depletion pattern in halothane-gene-free pigs at slaughter and its relation to meat quality

Muscle fibre type composition and glycogen depletion pattern at slaughter as related to meat quality, were studied in M. longissimus dorsi of halothane-gene-free Swedish Yorkshire pigs fed a high (n=19; 10 entire males and 9 gilts) or a low (n=18; 10 entire males and 8 gilts) protein diet. The muscle consisted of, on average, 8% type I, 9% type IIA and 83% type IIB fibres. Muscle fibre areas were significantly smaller in entire male pigs than in gilts irrespective of fibre type. There were no marked differences in muscle characteristics between pigs fed the low and high protein diets. Low glycogen concentrations were found in most type I and type IIA muscle fibres, while a greater variation in glycogen content was evident in type IIB fibres. The pigs were divided into two groups according to the proportion of glycogen depleted IIB fibres (more or less than 30% depleted IIB fibres). In the group where 30% or more of the type IIB fibres were glycogen depleted, a tendency toward DFD meat (dry, firm, dark) was seen, as the meat had higher ultimate pH (5·62 vs 5·52; p=0·02), lower drip loss (2·7% vs 4·4%; p=0·007) and lower reflectance value (darker meat; 16·5 vs 20·6 EEL units; p=0·0005), compared with the group with less than 30% depleted IIB fibres. No difference in total glycogen content was found between these two groups. This indicates that the distribution of glycogen in different fibre types seems to be of importance for the ultimate meat quality.     

优质鸡肉质性状相互关系的研究

本试验研究了优质鸡胸肌和腿肌肌肉性状间的相互关系,并对肉质性状进行了主成分分析。结果表明,肌肉IMF与pH1、pH2、肌纤维密度呈正相关,而与烹饪损失、肌肉剪切力、肌纤维直径呈负相关。肌肉pH与烹饪损失、剪切力、肌纤维直径呈负相关,而与肌纤维密度呈极显著正相关。滴水损失与烹饪损失、肌纤维密度呈负相关,而与剪切力、肌纤维直径呈正相关。肌肉烹饪损失、剪切力与肌纤维直径呈正相关,而与肌纤维密度呈显著负相关。另外,主成分分析表明,胸肌肉质性状可以用4个主成分因子进行表示,腿肌肉质性状可以用2个主成分因子进行表示。     

Relationship between histochemical, structural characteristics and oxidative stability of rhea limb muscles

Histochemical and structural characteristics were investigated in Gastrocnemius pars interna (GN) and Iliofiburalis (IF) limb muscles of Rhea americana. The average myofibre area cross-section was greater in GN than IF muscle (p < 0.001), whereas the fibre density per section was higher in IF than GN muscle. The only type of myofibre found in both the rhea limb muscles analysed in this study was fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibres (FOG). Immunolabelling analysis and ultrastructural observation of myofibres confirmed the contractile and metabolic characteristics of rhea myofibres, revealing the absolute fast isoform of myosin heavy chain and the abundance of glycogen and mitochondria inside the cells, mainly in IF muscle. These findings converged with previous results on the biochemical and physicochemical characteristics of rhea meat to provide further evidence that myofibre composition substantially influences the oxidative reactions of the muscle and therefore the meat quality, but more in-depth examination is needed to establish the links between myofibre characteristics, myofibre glycogen concentration and meat stability during storage.     

The relationship between muscle fiber characteristics, postmortem metabolic rate, and meat quality of pig longissimus dorsi muscle

The aim of this study was to investigate the histochemical parameters of muscle fibers, and to estimate the correlation of muscle fiber characteristic to postmortem metabolic rate and meat quality traits in pigs. A total of 231 crossbred pigs were evaluated. Samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were taken to evaluate the histochemical characteristics, postmortem metabolic rate and meat quality. Fiber type composition was mainly related to postmortem metabolic rate and meat quality traits among various muscle fiber characteristics. The percentage of type IIb fiber was negatively related to pH(45min) (r=-0.33) and positively to R-value (r=0.32). Drip loss was negatively related to fiber area percentages of type I and IIa (r=-0.25 and -0.26, respectively) and positively related to type IIb percentage (r=0.39). A similar tendency was found between lightness and fiber area percentage. In conclusion, increasing the percentage of type IIb fiber is related to increasing the postmortem metabolic rate, and is related to the deterioration of meat quality.     

Characterization of Longissimus thoracis, Semitendinosus and Masseter muscles and relationships with technological quality in pigs. 2. Composition of muscles

The composition of three porcine muscles (Longissimus thoracis: LT, Semitendinosus: ST, Masseter: MS) was characterized and its link with muscle quality was evaluated. The LT muscle had a higher content of tyrosine, tryptophan, and carbohydrates and a lower content of vitamin E and haem iron than the MS muscle, while the ST had similar composition to MS but a lower content of haem iron. Large differences between muscles were observed in relative amounts of most of the major fatty acids. The LT muscle had higher saturated fatty acids (SFA) and n− 6:n− 3 fatty acid ratio, and lower polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), PUFA:SFA ratio, unsaturation index and average fatty acid chain length than the ST and MS muscles. Muscle pH, redness and chroma were positively correlated with vitamin E and unsaturated lipids and negatively correlated with tyrosine, tryptophan, carbohydrates and saturated lipids, whereas muscle lightness and expressible juice showed similar correlations but an opposite sign with these variables.     

日粮添加乳酸菌对苏尼特羊肌纤维类型及肉品质的影响

以6月龄苏尼特羊为研究对象,利用ATP酶(ATPase)组织化学染色法和实时荧光定量技术,对苏尼特羊背最长肌的肌纤维特性、肌球蛋白重链(myosin heavy chains,MyHCs)的基因表达量、代谢酶活性及肉品质进行了研究,并分析了肌纤维特性、MyHCs基因表达量与肉品质间的相关关系,探究日粮添加乳酸菌对苏尼特羊肌纤维类型及肉品质的影响。结果表明,日粮添加乳酸菌使Ⅰ型肌纤维的数量比例,MyHCⅠ、MyHCⅡa和MyHCⅡx的基因表达量显著升高(P<0.05),乳酸脱氢酶(Lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)活性、肌肉pH、L^*值和剪切力显著降低(P<0.05),a^*值显著升高(P<0.05)。相关性结果显示,苏尼特羊背最长肌的pH₀与MyaHCⅡx基因表达量成极显著负相关(P<0.01),pH₂₄与Ⅰ型肌纤维的数量比例和面积比例成显著负相关(P<0.05)。L^*值与MyHCⅠ基因表达量成显著负相关(P<0.05),a^*值与Ⅰ型肌纤维的数量比例、MyHCⅡx基因表达量成显著正相关(P<0.05)。综上所述,日粮添加乳酸菌可以通过提高氧化型肌纤维的比例改善肌肉色泽,提高肌肉嫩度,从而提高羊肉品质。     

不同部位牦牛肉肌纤维特性与肉品质差异

为从肌纤维特性方面探究牦牛3 个部位肌肉品质的差异,本研究以牦牛背最长肌、腰大肌和半膜肌为研究对象,比较了其剪切力、肌节长度、肉色、蒸煮损失率和pH值的差异,采用酶组织化学染色和实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应法表征了其肌纤维特性,并分析了每个品质指标与肌纤维之间的相关性。结果表明：3 个部位肌肉的品质指标差异明显,其中腰大肌有较高的pH值和a*值,嫩度较好,而背最长肌保水性较好;3 个部位的肌纤维特性差异显著（P＜0.05）,腰大肌具有较高比例的I型肌纤维（50.8%）和较高的MYH7 mRNA相对表达量,肌纤维直径显著低于背最长肌和半膜肌（P＜0.05）;I型肌纤维数目比和肉品质密切相关,其与剪切力呈负相关,与肌节长度和蒸煮损失率呈正相关;I型肌纤维面积比与L*值呈显著负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：可以通过提高肌肉中I型肌纤维的比例来改善牦牛肉品质。     

Postmortem changes in muscle electrical properties of bovine M. longissimus dorsi and their relationship to meat quality attributes and pH fall

Heifers (n=47) were slaughtered and hung conventionally in an industrial meat plant. Electrical impedance (Py) and conductivity (EC) were studied for their ability to indicate or predict selected meat quality attributes i.e. Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), sensory tenderness, texture, flavour and acceptability, water holding capacity (WHC) and colour. pH, electrical impedance (meat check) and electrical conductivity (pork quality meter) measurements were taken at hourly intervals up to 8 h and again at 1 and 2 days postmortem. Electrical measurements were taken again at 7 and 14 days postmortem. Freshly cut steaks (2.5 cm thick) were taken from the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle at 2, 7 and 14 days postmortem, vacuum-packaged in plastic bags and stored at -20°C for WBSF and sensory analysis. Freshly cut steaks were used for WHC and colour measurements. During the development of rigor and over the ageing period, electrical changes occur in muscle tissue. Electrical measurements were found to change significantly between 1 and 14 days postmortem and when measured over the ageing period (at 2, 7 and 14 days postmortem) were significantly correlated to WBSF, sensory tenderness and Hunter 'a' and 'b' values (r=±0.56-±0.68, p<0.001) and weakly to moderately correlated to other sensory attributes (r=±0.31-0.58, p<0.001) measured at the same times postmortem; thus showing potential for these rapid physical measurements as indicators of meat quality if both electrical measurements and quality attributes are measured at the same times postmortem and correlations are calculated over the ageing period. However, electrical measurements taken at specific times at the early postmortem period (i.e. at 1 or 2 days) showed only a few weak relationships with meat quality attributes measured at later times postmortem (i.e. 7 or 14 days) demonstrating that early postmortem electrical measurements are not suitable for the prediction of ultimate meat quality. Py values taken between 7 h and 7 days postmortem were significantly correlated with all pH measurements with the exception of 1 day values. Two day Py measurements showed the highest correlations (r=0.45-0.62, p<0.01-0.001) with pH. EC was also found to be moderately correlated with pH although correlations were slightly lower than those obtained for Py. Highest correlations (r=0.47-0.59, p<0.01) were obtained for 7 h values.     

不同宰前断水时间对肉鸭食用品质及能量代谢的影响

本研究以38日龄肉鸭的胸肉为研究对象,研究了不同宰前断水时间(0 h、1 h、3 h、5 h)对肉鸭食用品质及能量代谢相关限速酶活力与产物的影响,包括p Hi(初始p H值)、p Hu(最终p H值)、色泽、蒸煮损失率、加压失水率、剪切力、肌糖原、乳酸、ATP、ADP、AMP、IMP、己糖激酶、丙酮酸激酶、肌酸激酶、乳酸脱氢酶等,并对结果进行相关性分析。研究结果表明,断水处理过的肉鸭,其鸭胸肉的丙酮酸激酶活力与ATP含量呈显著负相关;己糖激酶活力与肌糖原含量有良好的正相关性;5 h断水组的IMP水平最低,ATP含量也维持在较高水准,肌糖原含量最高;经过5 h断水后的肉鸭,其鸭胸肉的p Hi显著低于3 h内断水组,使其肉质下降。综上可得,对肉鸭进行不超过5 h的短时间宰前断水处理,其食用品质、能量代谢指标处于相对较好的水平,易最大程度缓解应激,并保持肉质最佳。     

Stress hormones, carcass composition and meat quality in Large White×Duroc pigs

The levels of stress hormones, cortisol and catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline), were measured in urine collected after slaughter from the bladder, in 309 pigs (females and castrated males) from an F2 intercross between the Large White and Duroc breeds to analyze the relationships between stress-responsive neuroendocrine systems, carcass composition and meat quality. Intramuscular fat content was measured from a biopsy sample taken at a live weight of 70 kg from the longissimus lumborum muscle, and carcass and meat quality traits were also collected. Carcass fat content was higher and estimated carcass lean meat content was lower with increasing urinary levels of cortisol and adrenaline (that are highly correlated with each other), but was not related to the levels of noradrenaline, showing that adrenal hormones favor the accretion of fat at the expense of muscle proteins, a typical physiological effect of cortisol. On the contrary, intramuscular fat levels were unrelated to either hormone level. Finally, muscle pH measured 24 h after death was positively correlated with catecholamine levels, an effect related to the catabolism of muscle glycogen by catecholamines released by preslaughter stress, which impairs post-mortem acidification of meat. These results show the importance of a control over stress neuroendocrine systems to increase pork production and product quality, and the value of the genetic approach to reach this goal.     

The interaction between calpastatin and RYR1 genes for some pork quality traits

This study was performed in order to investigate a relationship between polymorphism's of calapastatin gene (CAST) identified with HinfI, MspI and RsaI restriction endonucleases in pigs and meat quality characteristics and also interactions between CAST and RYR1 genes. Investigations were carried out on group of 89 fatteners being crosses of (Polish Large White×Polish Landrace)×(Hampshire×Pietrain). Some meat quality characteristics, glycolytic potential of LL muscle, yield of curing meat in cooking, the yield of loin in curing and smoking processes were determined. Statistically significant influence of RYR1 genotype (CC and CT) on investigated traits wasn't affirmed. A significant effect of CAST genotype on the value of several meat quality traits was noticed. Interactions between RYR1 and CAST genes were statistically significant for pH(45) value (CAST/RsaI×RYR1) and for drip loss (CAST/HinfI×RYR1). Obtained results showed that glycogen level in LL muscle in 45 min post mortem depends on CAST/MspI and CAST/RsaI genotypes while glycolytic potential depends on CAST/RsaI genotype. Genotyp AA at CAST/RsaI locus and AA genotype at CAST/HinfI locus stopped disclose of effect of RYR1 gene mutation for pH(45) in LD muscle and for drip loss respectively. Animals heterozygous in RYR1 locus (CT) being BB homozygotes at CAST/RsaI locus produced meat with highest pH(45) value (6,4) and dark meat colour. For technological properties of meat most interesting are double heterozygotes at the loci RYR1 and CAST/HinfI with significantly lowest (P?0.01) drip loss (4,04%).     

Interrelationships between meat quality traits, texture measurements and physicochemical characteristics of M. rectus abdominis from Charolais heifers

Ninety-nine Charolais heifers were used to study the variability of meat quality traits in relation to the physicochemical characteristics of M. rectus abdominis. The heifers of the same trade class were slaughtered at 33 months of age (±4 months) and 381 kg carcass weight (±31 kg). Muscle and bone development scores were evaluated before slaughter. Carcass weight, slaughter age and life average daily gain were recorded. Shear force measurements and meat quality traits were evaluated after 14 days of aging. Some physicochemical characteristics were measured 24 h post-slaughter.Tenderness was correlated with slaughter age (r = −0.31), bone development (r = −0.22) and life average daily gain (r = +0.37). Tenderness was significantly related to total collagen content (r = −0.24), lipid content (r = +0.27) and I myosin heavy chain proportion (r = +0.24). Juiciness was positively correlated with lipid content (r = +0.31) and I myosin heavy chain proportion (r = +0.20). Flavor intensity was correlated with lipid content (r = +0.26) and mean fiber area (r = +0.24). Shear force was correlated with total collagen, lipid and 27K proteasome sub-unit contents. Taking animal characteristics and muscle properties together in a multiple regression analysis increased the explained tenderness variability to 33%. The independent variables listed in order of importance were life average daily gain, total collagen content, bone development, lipid content, I myosin heavy chain isoform proportion, shear force of broiled meat and slaughter age.     

The relationship between muscle fiber characteristics and meat quality traits of highly marbled Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) steers

To investigate the relationships between muscle fiber characteristics and meat quality traits of Korean native cattle, Hanwoo, Longissimus dorsi (LD), Psoas major (PM) and Semimembranosus (SM) muscles obtained from 18 Hanwoo steers and the muscle fiber characteristics were measured by histochemical analysis. Fiber number, area percentages and density of type IIA and IIB were lower in SM muscle, but higher in PM muscle than other muscles. LD muscle had higher pH_24h, L^? value and fat content whereas SM muscle had lower L^? value and fat content. The lowest WBSF with longer sarcomere length was observed in PM muscle, while SM muscle showed the highest WBSF with shorter sarcomere length. Consequently, the percentage of type I and IIB were highly correlated with meat quality traits and inversely correlated with fat content, L^? value and WBSF. Fiber number and area percentage of type I had a positive correlation with fat content and L^? value and a negative correlation with WBSF. These results suggest that Hanwoo steers had high marbling, more lightness and tenderness when the percentage of type I was high and the percentage of type IIB was low in muscle.     

Relationships between biochemical characteristics and meat quality of Longissimus thoracis and Semimembranosus muscles in five porcine lines

Five porcine genetic lines which represent a high proportion of European pig production were fully characterized for meat quality parameters and muscle biochemical characteristics (Longissimus thoracis, LT, and Semimembranosus, SM). The line characterisation was based on 100 animals each representing Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Piétrain (Halothane negative) and Meishan (a Meishan/Large White crossbred line) prevalent genetic backgrounds. Different meat quality parameters (pH 45min, pH ultimate, electrical conductivity, and colour measurements), as well as muscle water holding capacity, muscle metabolic and contractile traits, fibre type, size and frequencies were measured and their relationships studied. The main differences in the LT were found between the Meishan and Piétrain genetic lines, in relation to the muscle fibre size (larger in Piétrain). The Duroc line was characterized by the muscle oxidative traits and the Landrace by the high percentage of fast glycolytic fibres. In SM, Duroc and Piétrain were distinguished from Landrace and Meishan according to the metabolic and contractile characteristics of this muscle. Large White tended to lie between the other breeds for many of the traits. The measured muscle characteristics were related to differences in drip loss and marbling values and could thereby influence the eating quality of pork. Overall the results show differences between the genetic lines for a number of muscle traits which could have impact on consumer appeal and eating quality. The present findings should serve to emphasise the importance of including eating quality as a trait in breed selection.     

The characteristics of muscle fiber types of longissimus thoracis muscle and their influences on the quantity and quality of meat from Japanese Black steers

Forty-four Japanese Black fattening steers from four groups, produced in four districts and consisting of differing genetic backgrounds were slaughtered to examine the characteristic differences in muscle fiber types at the 6th thoracic vertebra of the M. longissimus thoracis (LT). The influence of percentage, diameter, and relative area of each muscle fiber type on the carcass characteristics and some quantity and quality traits of beef taken from LT, were also investigated. Significant differences in the characteristics of the muscle fiber types were observed among the four groups, except for muscle fiber diameter in the αR fiber, and the relative area of each αW fiber. For all steers, the average percentages and diameters of each muscle fiber type, βR, αR and αW were 26.8, 18.5 and 54.7% and 51.4, 50.6 and 52.4 μm, respectively. The relative area of each fiber type was similar to those of muscle fiber composition. αR Fiber content had significant negative correlations with marbling score (p<0.05), intramuscular fat content (p<0.05) and ultimate pH value (p<0.05). Significant correlations between the diameter of each fiber type, and the quantity or quality traits of the meat were not found, with the exception of red fiber types (βR and αR) and meat color a(?) values (p<0.05) which were positively correlated.