Fibre structure and metabolites in M. longissimus dorsi of Wild Boar, Pietrain and Meishan pigs as well as their crossbred generations

Abstract

Fibre traits and glycolytic metabolites in musculus longissimus dorsi of European Wild Boar, Pietrain and Meishan as well as their F1 and F2 crossbred generations were evaluated and compared. Pietrain had the highest relative number of white fibres and the largest muscle fibres. Wild Boar showed the smallest muscle fibres. The R-value and lactate level of Wild Boar and Meishan were low, whereas Pietrain had high R-values and lactate levels. The glycogen level was highest in Wild Boar and lowest in Meishan. The F1- and F2-crossbreds often had trait values between those of their founder breeds. Several antagonistic relations between fibre characteristics, muscle metabolites and performance traits for carcass and meat quality have been found. They are family-specific and strongest within the crossbreds of the Pietrain-based families.