Myosin heavy chain isoforms account for variation in pork quality

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms (I, IIB, IIA and IIX) on pork quality traits of halothane (HAL)-negative (NN) and halothane-carrier (Nn) pigs. Gilts (n=32) were assigned to a 2×2 factorial of genetic population (GP) and slaughter weight (WT; 120 and 135 kg). Classical meat quality characteristics were collected and MyHC content was determined on muscle samples. Regression equations for pork quality and carcass composition traits were determined. Only I/IIB accounted for variation in drip loss of NN gilts (R2=0.18), while GP related to drip loss in Nn gilts (R2=0.70). Type I MyHC content explained variation in ultimate (24 h) muscle pH of NN gilts (R2=0.09), while I/IIB, I/IIX and IIB/IIX were significant for Nn gilts (R2=0.99). I/IIA, I/IIX, IIB/IIX and GP accounted for variation in Hunter Color a (redness) values of NN gilts (R2=0.69), while IIB, IIA, IIB/IIA and GP were significant for Nn gilts (R2=0.97). Overall, fiber type composition accounts for a larger proportion of variation in the quality traits of Nn compared to NN gilts.