Differential growth retardation and Myofibrillar fragmentation in rats submitted to feed restriction and realimentation

Abstract

Feed regimens alter muscle growth rate, hence they might impact the proteolytic system involved in tenderization during meat conditioning. The aim of this project was to verify the effects of feed restriction regimens on muscular and animal growth and their impact on postmortem myofibrillar fragmentation. The regimens were: 1) Feeding ad libitum for 11 d (Al/2); 2) Feed restriction (60% of Net Energy for maintenance -NEm) for 11 d (Rt/2); 3) Ad libitum for 22 d (Al); 4) Ad libitum for 4 d and feed restriction (60% NEm) for 18 d (Rt); 5) Ad libitum for 19 d and 3 d of fast (Ft); 6) Feed restriction (60% NEm) for 11 d and ad libitum until 22 d (Ral). The regimens Al/2 and Rt/2 had different intestine weights (19.3 ± 1.1 and 15.8 ± 1.9 g, respectively; P < 0.07). At 22 d, Al animals had higher (P < 0.07) intestine weight (21.8 ± 3.8). Moreover, Ral animals had heavier intestine (19.9 ± 1.5) as compared to Rt (16.6 ± 1.6) or Ft (12.8 ± 1.9). The intestine/live weight percentage ratio was lower (P < 0.05) for Ft (6.3%) as compared to Al (8.4%) and to Ral (9.2%), but it was similar to Rt (7.6%). Liver weight (g) in the Ral (9.5 ± 1.1) did not differ from Al (10.7 ± 2.5) or Rt (8.5 ± 1.1), although the two latter were different (P < 0.05). There was an effect of feed restriction over muscle protein degradation verified by Myofibrillar Fragmentation Index (MFI). The animals at Rt, Ft or Ral showed the lowest MFI 0d (42 ± 1.9; 40 ± 2.7; 40 ± 3.6; respectively) and MFI 5d (77 ± 2.7; 74 ± 3.0; 74 ± 2.9; respectively) as compared to Al, whose indexes were 54 ± 3.0 and 82 ± 3.3. Even though the MFI 5d were lower for the restricted animals, the rates of fragmentation postmortem were higher. Feed restriction altered myofibrillar protein degradation, reflected in lower extended fragmentation of the myofibrils. Key words: myofibrillar fragmentation index, muscle, intestine, liver < 0,07; 21,8 ± 3,8). Além disso, os animais do regime Ral tiveram maiores pesos de intestino (19,9 ± 1,5) comparados com Rt (16,6 ± 1,6) ou Ft (12,8 ± 1,9). A relação intestino/peso vivo foi menor (P < 0,05) para Ft (6,3%) comparado com Al (8,4%) e com Ral (9,2%), mas foi similar ao Rt (7,6%). O peso do fígado (g) nos animais do regime Ral (9,5 ± 1,1) não diferiu do regime Al (10,7 ± 2,5) ou Rt (8,5 ± 1,1), sendo que os dois últimos foram diferentes (P < 0,05). Houve efeito da restrição alimentar sobre a degradação da proteína muscular verificada pelo Índice de Fragmentação miofibrilar (MFI). Os animais de Rt, Ft ou Ral mostraram os menores valores de MFI 0d (42 ± 1,9; 40 ± 2,7; 40 ± 3,6; respectivamente) e MFI 5d (77 ± 2,7; 74 ± 3,0; 74 ± 2,9; respectivamente) comparados com Al onde os índices foram 54 ± 3,0 e 82 ± 3,3, respectivamente. Embora os animais que experimentaram alguma restrição alimentar tenham apresentado menor MFI 5d, (Table 1) and kept in individual cages. The restriction was obtained by reducing the ration offered to the animals in a way that the quantity would attend 80% of the basal energy based on the energy intake level ...

Influence of feeding regime and finishing system on lamb muscle fiber and meat quality

“…These changes in the protein degradation system involved in meat tenderization post mortem due to growth rate modified the myofibrillar fragmentation process, as reported for different feed regimens including feed restriction and compensatory growth in another animal model (Leonardo et al, 2008). The myofibrillar fragmentation index is one of best biochemical markers of red meat tenderness (Whipple et al, 1990).…”

Contribuição do tecido conjuntivo intramuscular na determinação da textura da carne de fêmeas zebuínas adultas submetidas a diferentes sistemas de manejo.

“…Quanto ao momento de abate, o grupo de ganho compensatório apresentou menores valores de força de cisalhamento aos 41 e 103 dias, indicando um possível efeito do ritmo de crescimento compensatório sobre a proteólise muscular. A taxa de fragmentação pode ser incrementada pela realimentação (LEONARDO et al, 2008). Os outros músculos não apresentaram interação para a variável força de cisalhamento entre manejo e momento de abate, embora as mudanças de taxa de proteólise possam ser identificadas no Semitendinosus.…”