Correlation between three glycometabolic‐related hormones and muscle glycolysis, as well as meat quality, in three pig breeds

BACKGROUND The present study aimed to evaluate the correlations among muscle concentrations of three glycometabolic‐related hormones (insulin, epinephrine and glucagon), muscle glycolysis and meat quality in representative muscles of either glycolytic or oxidative types. Moreover, the relative glycometabolic‐related gene expression was measured. One Western crossbreed DLY (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)), one crossbreed with half‐Chinese native‐pig origin DL (Duroc × LiangShan) and one pure Chinese native pig TP (Tibetan pig) were used in the present study. RESULTS Among the three breeds, DLY had the greatest glucagon and epinephrine (P < 0.01). Compared with DLY, TP and DL had lower lactic acid concentrations, showing lower glycolytic potentials (GP), greater ultimate pH values (P < 0.01) and lower relative expression levels of glycometabolic‐related genes (GYS1, PRKAG3 and PKM2). Compared with the glycolytic muscle (musculus longissimus dorsi), oxidative muscle PM (musculus psoas major) had lower glucagon and epinephrine contents, lower GP and better meat quality. The concentration of glycometabolic‐related hormones in the muscle had significant correlations with muscle glycolysis, meat pH and lightness. CONCLUSION The results obtained in the present study imply that glucagon and epinephrine levels could be used to indicate early glycolytic metabolism during postmortem. These findings may be helpful in identifying pork with undesirable quality traits. 2016 Society of Chemical Industry