Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Transcriptomic Analysis of Simmental and Chinese Native Cattle Differing in Meat Quality

Abstract

With the rapid development of economy, the demand for beef, with regard to quantity and quality, by consumers has been increasing in China. Chinese native cattle are characterized by their abundant genetic resources, unique origins, large breeding stocks, and robust environmental adaptability. Thus, to explore the genetic mechanisms on regulating meat quality in Chinese native cattle is of great importance to satisfy increased requirements for beef production. In this study, we investigated three breeds of cattle, namely Yunling, Wenshan, and Simmental, at the age of 12 months. Animals were classified into three groups (n = 5/breed). Growth traits including body weight and body size and plasma hormone levels were measured. Body weight of Wenshan cattle was significantly lower than that of Yunling and Simmental cattle (P < 0.05). Again, body size indexes, such as withers height, body slanting length, chest circumference, and hip and rump length, were significantly lower in Wenshan cattle than those in Yunling and Simmental cattle (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in those indexes between Yunling and Simmental cattle (P > 0.05). Cattle were slaughtered at the age of 18 months and then meat color, pH, pressing losses, muscle tenderness, and cooking losses were measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days. Data revealed differences in meat quality among the three breeds analyzed. Based on transcriptomic sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, we observed 3,198 differentially expressed genes related to meat quality, of which 1,750 genes were upregulated. Moreover, we found two important signaling pathways closely linked to meat quality, namely adipocytokine signaling pathway [e.g., Leptin receptor (LEPR)] and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum [e.g., signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), heat shock protein (HSPA12A), and calpain 1 (CAPN1)]. The results of transcripts were further verified by qRT-PCR. Using correlation analysis between gene expression levels and shear force, we also identified two functional genes (e.g., HSPA12A and CAPN1) associated with meat quality. Overall, this study provides new sights into novel targets and underlying mechanisms to modulate meat quality in Chinese native cattle.

Effects of Dietary Guanidinoacetic Acid on the Feed Efficiency, Blood Measures, and Meat Quality of Jinjiang Bulls

“…The freshly cut surface of the meat was exposed in air for 20 min after which the L * , a * , and b * values from three different locations on each sample of LT and SM were recorded. Each location was measured six times to calculate the means (29,30).…”

“…The meat was then placed in a packaging bag and the bag was filled with air, so that the meat was suspended in the center of the packaging bag, avoiding contact between the meat and the bag. The bag was then sealed and placed in a refrigerator at 4 • C, and after 24 h it was reweighed to calculate drip loss (29,30).…”

“…The Warner-Bratzler shear force was measured using C-LM3B shear apparatus (Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China) with a load cell of 15 kg and a crosshead speed of 200 mm/min. Six replicates of each sample were measured (29,30).…”

“…Mature male animals have a higher metabolic efficiency and daily energy consumption than female animals (2,4,24,28), which is closely related to basal metabolic rate (BMR). High levels of BMR tend to cause oxidative damage and result in "wooden breast" and other myopathies in feeding animals (4,30,31). FT3, FT4, and GLU are important variables reflecting BMR.…”

Assessing the Genetic Background and Selection Signatures of Huaxi Cattle Using High-Density SNP Array

“…Cattle are vital agricultural economy species worldwide, providing meat, milk, and labor for humans. China has abundant cattle genetic resources, with rough feeding tolerance, excellent meat quality, and strong adaptability [ 1 ]. For a long time, Chinese native cattle have been used as draft animals, ignoring the utilization of meat performance, and resulting in lower beef production performance compared to commercial cattle breeds.…”