Cortisol-binding globulin and meat quality in five European lines of pigs1

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 84; no. 1; pp. 204 - 211
• Main Authors: Geverink, N. A., Foury, A., Plastow, G. S., Gil, M., Gispert, M., Hortós, M., Furnols, M. Font i, Gort, G., Moisan, M. P., Mormède, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Champaign Oxford University Press 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Biological variation; Cortisone; Pork; Proteins; Quality
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.2527/2006.841204x

The gene (Cbg) encoding cortisol-binding globulin (CBG) has been proposed as a candidate gene to explain genetic variation in cortisol secretion and carcass composition in pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between CBG and pork quality in 5 European breeding lines, Piétrain, Large White (LW), and Landrace purebred lines, a Duroc synthetic line, and a Meishan (MS) × LW advanced intercross. Cortisol-binding globulin maximum binding capacity (CBG-Bmax) was twice as high (P < 0.05) in MS × LW pigs compared with the other lines. There was no (P ≥ 0.364) association between CBG-Bmax and carcass quality traits in Piétrain gilts, but CBG-Bmax was associated with increased loin yields in LW (P = 0.010) and Landrace (P = 0.103) gilts, decreased ham yields (P = 0.082) in Duroc gilts, and increased fat depth (P = 0.064) and leaf fat (P = 0.001) in MS × LW gilts. There was no association between CBG-Bmax and pork quality traits in Piétrain (P ≥ 0.269) and Duroc (P ≥ 0.114) gilts. Conversely, CBG-Bmax was associated with lighter (higher L* values; P < 0.05) pork in Landrace gilts, as well as lower (P ≤ 0.055) ultimate pH in the LM and semimembranosus, and a tendency for lower (P = 0.095) L* values of pork from LW gilts. Within MS × LW pigs, CBG-Bmax was associated with increased drip loss (P = 0.001) and decreased i.m. fat in the semimembranosus (P = 0.005). Because drip loss is an economically important pork quality trait, results of this study could be used in the selection of improved water-holding capacity of pork from synthetic lines involving the MS breed. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]