Histochemical analysis of bovine longissimus as related to carcass grades
Date Issued
August 1, 1980
Author(s)
Sutton, Robert Edward
Advisor(s)
C. C. Melton
Abstract
Histological analysis was conducted on the longissimus dorsi muscle of sixty animals (one-half Hereford and one-half Angus). The study was conducted to ascertain the association between skeletal muscle fiber type, fiber size, fat cell size, and fat cell distribution with various carcass traits used to access quality and yield grade. Two reciprocal staining procedures, NADH-TR and ATP-ase, were used to study muscle fibers, where as an Oil Red O stain was employed to study fat cells. The diameter of both aerobic and anerobic fiber increased significantly (P<.05) between 56 and 84 days on feed. Also, all fiber size measurements were highly related (P<.0l) to rib eye area. Fat cell diameter was found to be significantly correlated (P<.0l) with carcass weight, rib eye area, percent kidney fat, fat thickness at 12th rib, U.S.D.A. yield grade, U.S.D.A. quality grade, maturity, marbling score, and fat by ether extract. Analysis of variance revealed a highly significant effect (P<.0l) for days on feed as related to fat cell diameter. As days on feed increased, fat cell diameter also increased. It was noted that feeding the animals past 84-112 days did not increase fat cell diameter or any other histological trait. In an attempt to classify muscle samples into marbling degrees, a histological marbling score (HMS) was established after observation of stained fat cells. The HMS was found to be significantly correlated (P<.05) to actual marbling score and U.S.D.A. quality grade.
Degree
Master of Science
Major
Food Science and Technology
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Thesis80S988.pdf
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1.64 MB
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Unknown
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