Relationship between serum biochemical values and marbling scores in Japanese Black steers

In order to obtain available biochemical parameters related to the marbling score (MS), by which the meat was graded from 1 to 12 in Japan, serum biochemical values were examined in 13 Japanese Black steers during the fattening stages. The steers were divided into high MS (8-11) and low MS (4-5) groups and the fattening stage was also divided into 4 stages according to their feed contents; Stage I (11-13 month-old; 0-4 months after the fattening (af)), II (5-9 months af), III (10-14 months af), and IV (15-20 months af). High MS group showed significantly higher levels in glucose and urea nitrogen (at Stage I), albumin/globulin ratio (at Stage II), and magnesium (at Stage I and III), and lower level in vitamin A (at Stage III) than low MS group. These biochemical parameters, indicating conditions of steers during the fattening stages, are considered to have a possibility related to MS in fattening steers.