Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T18:54:19.189Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Growth of bovine tissues 4. Genetic influences on patterns of bone growth and distribution in young bulls

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. T. Berg
Affiliation:
National Institute of Animal Science, Rolighedsvej 25, 1958 Copenhagen V, Denmark
B. B. Andersen
Affiliation:
National Institute of Animal Science, Rolighedsvej 25, 1958 Copenhagen V, Denmark
T. Liboriussen
Affiliation:
National Institute of Animal Science, Rolighedsvej 25, 1958 Copenhagen V, Denmark
Get access

Abstract

Bone growth patterns and distribution were compared in joints of carcasses from 277 young bulls, progeny of eight sire breeds and two dam breeds, serially slaughtered at 300 kg live weight, 12 and 15 months of age. The growth pattern for bone in a joint was estimated from the allometric equation (Y = aXb). Growth coefficients (b) were homogeneous among breed groups for bone in each joint relative to total side bone indicating that the different breeds followed similar patterns of differential bone growth. Growth impetus of limb bones was lowest in the distal parts, increasing to the proximal regions, with the fore limb showing higher growth impetus than the hind limb. Bones of the whole thoracic region showed a high growth impetus and those of the lumbar region the highest. The cervical vertebrae showed only average growth impetus, maintaining a constant proportion of total bone. Significant sire breed differences were found in the proportion of bone in each joint when adjusted to equal side bone weight but the differences were rather small and probably commercially unimportant. Differences among sire breed groups reflected differences in maturity type, with progeny of Here-ford sires representing early maturity and progeny of Chianina sires the other extreme. Functional association between muscle and bone was not reflected in a similarity of growth patterns, except for the muscles and bones of the limbs.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1978

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Berg, R. T., Andersen, B. B. and Liboriussen, T. 1978a. Growth of bovine tissues. 1. Genetic influences on growth patterns of muscle, fat and bone in young bulls. Anim. Prod. 26: 245258.Google Scholar
Berg, R. T., Andersen, B. B. and Liboriussen, T. 1978b. Growth of bovine tissues. 2. Genetic influences on muscle growth and distribution in young bulls. Anim. Prod. 27: 5161.Google Scholar
Berg, R. T., Andersen, B. B. and Liboriussen, T. 1978c. Growth of bovine tissues. 3. Genetic influences on patterns of fat growth and distribution in young bulls. Anim. Prod. 27: 63.Google Scholar
Hammond, J. 1932. Growth and the Development of Mutton Qualities in the Sheep. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh.Google Scholar
Harte, F. J. and Conniffe, D. 1967. Studies on cattle of varying growth potential for beef production. II. Carcass composition and distribution of ‘lean meat’, fat and bone. Ir. J. agric. Res. 6: 153170.Google Scholar
McMeekan, C. P. 1940. Growth and development in the pig, with special reference to carcass quality characters. I. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 30: 276343.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richmond, R. J. and Berg, R. T. 1972. Bone growth and distribution in swine as influenced by liveweight, breed, sex, and ration. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 52: 4756.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seebeck, R. M. 1973. The effect of body-weight loss on the composition of Brahman cross and Africander cross steers. II. Dissected components of the dressed carcass. J. agric. Set, Camb. 80: 411423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seebeck, R. M. and Tulloh, N. M. 1968. Developmental growth and body weight loss of cattle. III. Dissected components of the commercially dressed carcass following anatomical boundaries. Aust. J. agric. Res. 19: 673688.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Truscott, T. G., Lang, C. P. and Tulloh, N. M. 1976. A comparison of body composition and tissue distribution of Friesian and Angus steers. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 87: 114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar