Variations in meat quality in live halothane heterozygotes identified by biopsy samples of M. longissimus dorsi

The meat quality of halothane heterozygotes (Nn) was investigated using British Landrace (n = 18) and Landrace × Large White pigs (n = 67). Normal and PSE meat were identified in both breeds using M. longissimus dorsi (LD). In Landrace × Large White Nn pigs, the potential meat quality identified using small biopsy LD samples (500 mg) showed a wide spectrum in water-holding capacity (WHC), ranging from normal (43%) to PSE (57%). Predictions of meat quality in live pigs were confirmed from post-mortem assessments of LD samples based on pH(1) and fibre optic probe measurements. Our results show that Nn pigs have the propensity to produce a higher proportion of PSE than normal carcasses. The predictive meat quality test performed on small biopsy LD samples offers an opportunity not currently available to the pig industry, to select Nn pigs with the potential to produce pork of superior WHC.