Comparison of Plasma Metabolite Concentrations and Enzyme Activities in Beef Cattle Raised by Different Feeding Systems in Korea, Japan and New Zealand

• Published in: Journal of veterinary medicine. Series A 2007-09, Vol.54 (7), p.342-345
• Main Authors: Mori, A, Urabe, S, Asada, M, Tanaka, Y, Tazaki, H, Yamamoto, I, Kimura, N, Ozawa, T, Morris, S.T, Hickson, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena - physiology; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood; Aspartate Aminotransferases - metabolism; aspartate transaminase; beef cattle; biomarkers; blood chemistry; blood plasma; Cattle; Cattle - blood; Cattle - metabolism; cattle feeding; cattle production; cholesterol; Comparative analysis; diet; energy metabolism; Energy Metabolism - physiology; enzyme activity; Enzymes; Fatty acids; Feeds; free fatty acids; glucose; health status; insulin; Insulin - blood; insulin secretion; Japan; Korea; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - blood; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; lactates; Malate Dehydrogenase - blood; Malate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Male; Meat - standards; metabolic studies; metabolites; New Zealand; ruminant nutrition; Sugar
• ISSN: 0931-184X; 1865-1674; 1439-0442; 1865-1682
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00964.x

Concentrations of metabolites and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism were measured in plasma of Korean and Japanese beef cattle, which were raised by the indoor feeding system programmed to feed larger amount of roughage in their growing periods and larger amount of concentrate diet in their finishing periods (Japanese feeding system), and grazing New Zealand beef cattle. By the Japanese beef grading system, Korean and Japanese beef cattle showed high beef quality score, average grade 3.3 and 3.6, respectively. The plasma free fatty acid and lactate concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in Korean beef cattle were significantly higher than those in Japanese beef cattle. The plasma lactate concentration in Korean beef cattle was 8.40 mmol/l, which was similar to the values observed in lactic acidosis. The higher activities of plasma LDH, MDH and AST may indicate slight liver damage by slightly acidotic conditions in Korean beef cattle. New Zealand beef cattle fed on pasture which they harvest by grazing showed significantly lower plasma glucose, cholesterol, lactate and IRI concentrations and enzyme activities than those in Korean and Japanese beef cattle fed on larger amount of concentrate diets. Plasma metabolite concentrations and energy metabolism-related enzyme activities may be good indicators for evaluating metabolic conditions of beef cattle raised by different feeding systems.