Correlated response to selection for litter size in pigs: II. Carcass, meat, and fat quality traits

Data on a pig line selected for litter size (H) and a control line (C) were used to estimate the correlated responses to litter size in carcass, meat, and fat quality traits. The differences between the genetic means of animals from line H and line C were used to estimate correlated responses. No differences were found between the two lines in carcass measurements except backfat depth, which was higher (P < 0.05) in line H (0.69 +/- 0.28 mm). This led to a decrease (P < 0.05) in predicted carcass lean content (-6.0 +/- 2.7 g/kg). Differences in joint weight distribution between lines were primarily due to belly weight, which was higher (P < 0.05) in line H (6.3 +/- 1.2 g/kg). There were no important changes in meat quality traits. Chemical composition of semimembranosus muscle (SM) and subcutaneous backfat (SB) differed between lines only for DM in SB, which was higher (P < 0.05) in line H (15.1 +/- 7.1 mg/g), and for the fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat. The fatty acid profile in line H showed a lower (P < 0.01) proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (-14.7 +/- 4.8 mg/g FA), particularly with regard to the content of linoleic acid (-12.5 +/- 3.9 mg/g FA). It is concluded that selection for litter size reduced the lean content in the carcass but the proportion of high-priced cuts and meat quality traits were not affected. However, selection may lead to changes in the composition of intramuscular fat lipids towards a lower content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The observed correlated effects can be interpreted assuming that selected pigs are more mature at the same weight, though the underlying genetic and physiologic processes that cause them are unknown. The results of this experiment indicate that the metabolic pathways taking part in fat metabolism should be considered first.