The PSS genotypes of 596 F2 pigs produced by initial mating of Brazilian commercial sows and native boars were characterized by PCR-RFLP and the pork quality traits were evaluated. Among the 596 pigs studied, 493 (82.7%) were NN and 103 (17.3%) were Nn. There were no differences between NN and Nn pigs in the following pork qualities: pHu (5.71 ± 0.16 vs 5.70 ± 0.11), intramuscular fat (1.55 ± 0.64% vs 1.65 ± 0.67%), shear force (5552 ± 878 g/1.2 cm vs 5507 ± 826 g/1.2 cm), lightness (44.96 ± 2.05 vs 45.01 ± 1.92), redness (0.64 ± 0.60 vs 0.79 ± 0.55), yellowness (6.62 ± 0.56 vs 6.65 ± 0.48), hue (84.28 ± 5.53 vs 83.41 ± 4.85), or chroma (6.68 ± 0.52 vs 6.73 ± 0.52). However, pork from Nn pigs had a significantly (p < 0.05) lower pH45 (6.41 ± 0.27 vs 6.51 ± 0.26) and greater drip (3.92 ± 1.90% vs 3.06 ± 1.60%), cooking (33.29 ± 2.26% vs 32.50 ± 2.54%) and total (35.67 ± 2.48% vs 34.01 ± 2.58%) loss compared to that of NN pigs. These results indicate that, even in divergent crosses, PSS gene carriers produce pork of poorer quality.
meat quality; PCR-RFLP; pork; PSE; PSS; pig
