Liver catalase in Southdown sheep selected for high and low backfat depth

S.W. Peterson, R.W. Purchas

Animal Science Department, Massey University, Palmerston North

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1989, 49: 143-146

Because the enzyme catalase is involved in the peroxisomal pathway of fatty acid oxidation in the liver, it is possible that higher levels of catalase activity may be associated with higher levels of fatness. This was investigated in the high and low backfat Southdown sheep selection lines at Massey University.

Liver biopsies were taken from 13 high backfat (HBD) and 14 low backfat (LBD) ewe hoggets with mean liveweight-adjusted ultrasonic backfat depths (LABF, expressed as percentage deviations) of +42% and -20% respectively. The HBD group had significantly higher (P<0.05) liver catalase activity (1944 ą 109 K/g) than the LBD group (1649 ą 86 K/g). In a second trial, liver samples from 5 HBD rams showed significantly (P<0.05) higher mean catalase activity (4708 ą 449 K/g) than samples from 5 LBD rams (3087 ą 434 K/g). Mean ultrasonic fat depth C measurements of progeny-groups of these rams (293 lambs in total) differed significantly (P<0.01) between sires and the regression of progeny-group mean fat depth C on sire liver catalase activity was significant (P=0.067; r=0.60). Mean progeny-group carcass GR differed significantly between sires (P<0.01) and the regression of mean progeny- group GR on sire catalase activity was significant (P<0.05; r=0.64). Lower levels of liver catalase activity may be a useful marker for identifying leaner genotypes.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Catalase; sheep liver; fatty acid metabolism; fatness; progeny test

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Last Updated 18-03-1997