The effect of genotype and castration method on the eating quality characteristics of pork from male pigs

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2003

Journal Title

Animal Science

ISSN

Print: 1357-7298 Online: 1748-748X

Keywords

castration, genotypes, meat quality, pigmeat

Disciplines

Animal Sciences | Meat Science

Abstract

Sixty crossbred (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) pigs were used to compare the growth performance, carcass and pork quality characteristics of entire, surgically castrated and immunologically castrated male pigs from two Western Australian commercial genotypes (genotype A : ‘lean’ genotype and genotype B : propensity for increased subcutaneous fat deposition). Pigs from genotype B had a higher average daily gain and a superior food conversion ratio compared with pigs from genotype A. Entire males had lower backfat compared with surgically and immunologically castrated male pigs. Pork from entire males was drier, tougher and had lower overall acceptability scores compared with surgically or immunologically castrated male pigs. Pork from genotype A pigs had a lower m. longissimus thoracis (LT) ultimate pH and higher drip loss compared with pork from genotype B pigs. However, consumer taste panel assessment indicated that pork from genotype A pigs was more tender, had higher juiciness and overall acceptability scores compared with pork from genotype B pigs. Within genotype A, the consumer taste panel preferred pork from surgically castrated pigs compared with either entire or immunologically castrated pigs. Within genotype B, the consumer taste panel preferred pork from immunologically castrated pigs compared with either entire or surgically castrated male pigs. These results indicate that interactions between genotype and castration method can significantly influence eating quality of pork.

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Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1017/S1357729800053650