Shot biopsy in view of muscular disorders in pigs

Although a number of problems in connection with the use of shot biopsy have yet to be solved, it can be stated that by this technique biopsy samples of sufficient quantity (up to 1.5 g) can be obtained from the musculus longissimus dorsi of pigs of about 80 kg liveweight. The technique offers data on the metabolic status (biophysical and biochemical values) of muscles, provided that the postmortal processes have been simulated (incubation of bioptate). The use of sensitivity tests on isolated subcellular fractions of the bioptate can lead to more precise results and consequently, to a remarkable reduction in the incidence of PSE syndrome (pale, soft, exudative meat). The first results achieve under conditions of Slovakia (Czechoslovakia) in testing boars show that this method could find a permanent use in the practice. Research institutions in a number of countries are now investigating possibilities of using shot biopsy for prediction of skeletal muscle disorders in pigs and it is excepted that many new results will be published soon.