Carcass quality of crossbred pigs with Pietrain as a terminal sire

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of the crossbreed and halothane genotype on carcass quality traits of fatteners from commercial pig farm. Study was carried out on 68 crossbred pigs divided into two groups according to sow genotype: Large White ♂x Swedish Landrace ♀ (LWxSL) and Large White ♂ x German Landrace ♀ x (LWxGL). Both sow genotypes were mated with Pietrain (P) as a terminal sire. Influence of crossbreeding and halothane genotype on cold carcass weight, carcass length, dressing percentage and lean percentage, slaughter line measurements as well as fat and M. Longissimus dorsi areas were not significant (P>0.05). The value of pH45 measured in M. Longissimus dorsi was higher in Px(LWxGL) crossbreeds and dominant homozygote genotype (P<0.05). Measurements of pH24 were not significantly different (P>0.05) between crossbreeds and halothane genotypes. Except for pH45 value, most of other measured carcass quality traits were not affected by crossbreeding combination and halothane genotype (P<0.05).