A Muscle Hypertrophy Condition in Lamb (Callipyge): Characterization of Effects on Muscle Growth and Meat Quality Traits1

The present experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the callipyge phenotype on traits affecting muscle growth and meat tenderness. Dorset wethers (n = 40) that were either carriers or non-carriers were fed grain and slaughtered at 169 d of age. Callipyge phenotype did not affect ( P > .05) slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, or weights of the heart, spleen, viscera, kidney-pelvic fat, head, and pelt; however, callipyge lambs had a higher dressing percentage and lighter lungs, liver, and kidneys ( P < .01). Callipyge lambs had reduced fat thickness and marbling score and higher leg scores and longissimus area (34%). Adductor (30%), biceps femoris (42%), gluteus group (31%), longissimus (32%), psoas group (20%), quadriceps femoris (18%), semimembranosus (38%), and semitendinosus (26%) weights were higher in the callipyge phenotype ( P < .01); however, phenotype did not affect ( P > .05) weights of infraspinatus or supraspinatus. Longissimus pH and temperature declines were not affected ( P > .05) by phenotype. Longissimus myofibril fragmentation index was lower at 1 (27%), 7 (35%), and 21 (37%) d postmortem and Warner-Bratzler shear force was higher at 1, 7, and 21 d postmortem in the callipyge phenotype ( P < .01). Shear force values of callipyge lambs at 21 d postmortem tended to be greater ( P = .12) than shear force values of non-carriers at 1 d postmortem. Activities of calpastatin (83%) and m-calpain (45%) were higher in the callipyge ( P < .01); however, mcalpain activity was not affected ( P > .05). Longissimus and semitendinosus RNA concentration, DNA content, RNA content, protein content, and the RNA: DNA ratio were higher ( P < .05), but DNA concentration, protein concentration, and protein:DNA were not affected in the callipyge phenotype. The higher calpastatin activity associated with callipyge suggests that protein degradation may be reduced in the live animal. Additionally, the increased muscle DNA content associated with the callipyge phenotype suggests an increase in satellite cell proliferation, and results in an increased capacity of skeletal muscle to accumulate and maintain myofibrillar protein. These results suggest that both reduced rate of protein degradation and higher capacity for protein synthesis are consequences of the callipyge condition.