Effects of Lubabegron supplementation on carcass traits, muscle fiber type, proteome profile and meat quality attributes of finished feedlot steers
Date
2020
Authors
Corona, Ashley, author
Nair, Mahesh N., advisor
Belk, Keith E., committee member
Scanga, John A., committee member
Prenni, Jessica, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Two thousand one hundred and sixty (2,160) British and Continental crossbred steers were supplemented (1, 4, 3.2 or 5.0 g/ton (DM basis) Lubabegron and a control diet (Experior; EX, Elanco Animal Health) for the last 28, 56, or 84 d of the finishing period resulting in twelve treatment combinations. Fifteen pens (12 hd/pen) were allocated to each treatment combination consisting of a dose and feeding duration. A total of five harvest cycles were conducted, consisting of 432 head per cycle. Each harvest cycle consisted of 3 blocks, each block contained all dosages and each block was associated with a specific feeding duration. Hot carcass weights (HCW), marbling scores (MS), adjusted fat thickness (aFT), longissimus muscle area (LMA), kidney pelvic and heart fat percentage (KPH), and USDA calculated yield grade (YG) were evaluated for all carcasses (N = 2160). No dose x feeding duration (FD) interaction (P > 0.05) was present for any of the characteristics measured. Supplemented cattle produced heavier (P < 0.05) carcass weights, larger (P < 0.05) LMAs and decreased (P < 0.05) YGs. As feeding duration was extended from 28 to 56 and 84 d, carcass weights were increased (P < 0.05). Control cattle produced MS that were significantly higher than those that were supplemented EX at the highest dose; nonetheless MS remained within USDA Premium Choice (MT00-99). Whereas, EX supplementation did not affect aFT and KPH. A subset of carcasses (N= 540) (3 carcasses/pen) that graded USDA Low Choice (SM00-99) were selected for the purpose of objective color, muscle fiber typing, proteome analysis, and the evaluation of the effect of postmortem aging on tenderness and palatability. As dose increased (P < 0.05) to 3.2 and 5.0 g/ton steaks became less (P < 0.05) red (a*), less (P < 0.05) yellow (b*), and less (P < 0.05) saturated than the controls. Striploin steaks collected during fabrication (before aging) were analyzed for muscle fiber typing (N = 96, n = 8). No detrimental shifts (P > 0.05) were observed for muscle fiber type as it relates to meat quality. The muscle fiber type IIX cross sectional area remained similar across the majority of treatment groups, except for decrease in CSA seen in cattle fed 5.0 g/ton for the final 56 and 84 d of feed. Meat quality attributes were measured using trained sensory panels, slice shear force (SSF) and Warner-Bratlzer shear force (WBSF). Striploins from the right side of each carcass were collected, fabricated into 2.54-cm steaks, and aged for 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d postmortem. Steaks for all postmortem aging periods were evaluated using SSF and WBSF, whereas, only those aged for 14 d were evaluated by trained panelists. Non- supplemented cattle produced striploin steaks that were juicier and more tender (P < 0.05) than those from EX supplemented cattle regardless of dose, and no differences (P > 0.05) were observed as a consequence of FD. All steaks (supplemented and non-supplemented) subjected to a minimum 7 d of PM aging produced WBSF that were less than 3.9 kg, and therefore eligible to be labeled as "Certified Very Tender." Once 21 d of postmortem aging was reached, no differences (P > 0.05) in tenderness were observed between the treatments. Based on meat quality attributes, six samples each (N = 24, n = 6) from four treatments (control, low dose for 28 days, high dose for 28 days, and high dose for 84 days) were selected for proteome analysis using a chemical labelling approach know as tandem mass tag (TMT). Experior supplementation influenced expression of proteins involved in muscle contraction, calcium signaling, transport, growth factor, and proteasome activation. Myosin light chain 3 (MYL3) was associated with an improved tenderness and carcass grading, which could be reflective of the increased intramuscular fat content. The proteins identified such as hemoglobin subunit α (HBA), hemoglobin subunit β (HBB), and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (ORM1) were suggestive of increased vascularization in muscles as a response to EX supplementation.