The impact of differential expression of the pectoral muscle proteome in two groups of Japanese quail with different growth rates on‏ meat quality

ABSTRACT

1. In this study, the proteomics method was applied to genetically evaluate the performance and carcase characteristics of Japanese quail and their molecular mechanisms, and to further determine and analyse the meat quality and muscle proteins.

2. Ten Japanese quail were selected from among 400 quail from the seventh generation of a population. Various traits were recorded and multivariate analysis was applied using Wombat software.

3. Differential expression of pectoral muscle proteins was performed, whereby nine spots were selected (P < 0.05) for determination. All proteins from the quail group with the highest breeding value showed significantly greater relative intensity, except for serum albumin.

4. The results showed that an increase in growth rate can cause disturbances in most organs and their metabolism, although the increase in the expression of some proteins indicated that the bird’s body tends to adapt to special conditions.

5. The allocation of genetic resources is likely to maintain the balance between most organs, which does not overlap. However, most evidence shows that meat quality has been reduced, but to a limited extent, by selection for growth.

KEYWORDS:

• Proteomics
• meat
• protein
• growth
• quail

Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported by the Department of Animal Science, Science, and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. The authors would like to thank Mr. Mehdi Shokohmand from The Meybod Agricultural and Animal Research Center for his expert advice and providing the information needed for this research.

Disclosure statement

The authors had no affiliations with or involvement in any organisations or entities with financial interests (honoraria, educational grants, participation in speakers’ bureaus, membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, other equity interests, expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements) or non-financial interests (personal/professional relations, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.