Consumption of high energy maize diets is associated with increased soluble collagen in muscle of Holstein bulls

Meat Sci. 2010 Nov;86(3):753-7. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2010.06.017. Epub 2010 Jun 20.

Abstract

The aim was to investigate whether energy supplementation of gazing bulls can influence collagen concentration and solubility in three different muscles: longissimus dorsi (LD), semitendinosus (ST) and supraspinatus (SS). Thirty three Holstein bulls aged 15 months and reared on grass, were randomly assigned to three treatment groups for 85 days: fed grass ad libitum (G1-control); fed grass ad libitum and supplemented with 4 kg day(-1) of ground maize (G2); fed grass ad libitum and supplemented with 8 kg day(-1) of ground maize (G3). Total collagen content did not differ (P>0.05) among treatments, however, soluble (heat-labile) collagen was significantly (P<0.001) higher in meat from G3 (34%, 23% and 25% for LD, ST and SS, respectively), compared with G1-control (24%, 18% and 17% in LD, ST and SS, respectively). Overall, these results suggest that meat tenderness of grazing bulls may be improved by supplementing with ground maize (8 kg day(-1)).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Collagen / analysis*
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Edible Grain
  • Energy Intake*
  • Male
  • Meat / analysis*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry*
  • Solubility
  • Zea mays*

Substances

  • Collagen