Metabolomic signature of genetic potential for muscularity in beef cattle

Author(s)

Consolo, Nara R. B. ; Silva, Juliana ; Buarque, Vicente M. ; Barbosa, Luis C. ; Padilla, Angel H. ; Colnago, Luiz A. ; Netto, Arlindo Saran ; Gerrard, David E. ; Silva, Saulo L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY; v. 33, n. 6, p. 10-pg., 2021-05-25.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum and meat metabolomic changes according to the genetic potential for muscularity of non-castrated Nellore males and its association with phenotypic traits. Forty-eight non-castrated Nellore males were separated into two groups based on their genetic potential for post-weaning muscularity: high (HM) and low (LM). Selection for muscularity did not cause noticeable differences in the traits evaluated during the finishing phase and after slaughter. However, several metabolites in meat and serum, have changed according to the muscularity group. HM animals presented an over-abundance of glycerol, glutamine, choline, methylhistidine, betaine, creatinine and methionine in serum, compared with their LM counterparts. Similarly, the meat samples of HM animals were rich in glucose-6-phosphate, lactate, pyruvate, creatinine, betaine, choline, glycerol and arginine relative to LM bulls. Inosine monophosphate was the only metabolite over-abundant in LM animals. In conclusion, the genetic potential for post-weaning muscularity did not affect performance during the finishing phase, carcass traits and meat quality. However, multivariate analysis shows that the genetic potential of muscularity can be correlated with serum lipid and protein metabolites, and with energy metabolism in meat, providing a footprint of cattle muscularity metabolism. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/17433-5 - Study of relationship among expected progeny differences (EPD) with productive and meat quality traits of Nelore cattle
• Grantee: Saulo da Luz e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/01320-7 - Metabolomic characterization of blood and meat from young Nellore bulls, progeny of bulls with different EPDs for growth, precocity and muscularity
• Grantee: Nara Regina Brandão Cônsolo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/13656-8 - Development and application of nuclear magnetic resonance in products and agricultural processes
• Grantee: Luiz Alberto Colnago
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants