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Journal Title Abbrev.
J. Elem.
ISSN – 1644-2296
DOI: 10.5601

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Influence of sex of hybrid pigs on the chemical composition of meat and the content of vitamins A, E and cholesterol in the longissimus dorsi muscle

Issue: 3/2026

Recevied: March 31, 2026

Accepted: June 7, 2026

Published: June 9, 2026

Authors:

K. Dobiesz, M. Borsuk-Stanulewicz, W. Kozera, J. Kaliniewicz, Z. Antoszkiewicz, C. Purwin, J. Pomianowski, J. Krzysztoń, K. Karpiesiuk

Categories: Fisheries and animal bioengineering

DOI: 10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3857

Abstract:

Pork is one of the most commonly consumed meat in Poland, which highlights the importance of research into her composition. Consumers often pay attention to quality. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of sex on the content of vitamins E and A and cholesterol in the longissimus dorsi muscle (musculus longissimus dorsi, LD) of DanBrad hybrid pigs. A total of 48 samples were collected: 12 each from the carcasses of gilts, entire males, surgically castrated and immunocastrated pigs. Surgical castration was performed between the 2nd and 5th day of the piglets’ lives and immunocastration was carried out by intramuscular injection of the Improvac 8 and 4 weeks before slaughter. During fattening, the animals were kept in group pens in a bedding-free system. The criterion for division was the sex of each individual. Feed and water were available ad libitum during fattening. A four-phase feeding system was used, based on complete feed mixtures. Slaughter was carried out in accordance with applicable meat industry regulations. Samples of the longissimus  dorsi muscle from the lumbar region between the 3rd and 4th vertebrae were taken from the cooled right half-carcasses. The content of vitamins A and E, and cholesterol in the tested samples was determined. The chemical composition was also analysed. The highest content of tocopherols was found in the meat of immunocastrated pigs and the lowest in gilts. Statistically significant differences were found between retinol content in surgical castrated and entire males. In the LD muscle samples of gilts, the cholesterol content was statistically significantly higher than in the samples from males castrated either surgically or immunologically. The results of the study indicated significant and highly significant variation in the basic chemical composition between LD samples from animals in the different groups. Further studies of larger sample sizes meat are needed to confirm or refute the current findings.

Citation:

JELEM / HARVARD

quote-mark
Dobiesz, K., Borsuk-Stanulewicz, M., Kozera, W., Kaliniewicz, J., Antoszkiewicz, Z., Purwin, C., Pomianowski, J., Krzysztoń, J. and Karpiesiuk, K. (2026) 'Influence of sex of hybrid pigs on the chemical composition of meat and the content of vitamins A, E and cholesterol in the longissimus dorsi muscle', Journal of Elementology, 31(3), , available: https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3857

MDPI

quote-mark
Dobiesz, K.; Borsuk-Stanulewicz, M.; Kozera, W.; Kaliniewicz, J.; Antoszkiewicz, Z.; Purwin, C.; Pomianowski, J.; Krzysztoń, J.; Karpiesiuk, K. Influence of sex of hybrid pigs on the chemical composition of meat and the content of vitamins A, E and cholesterol in the longissimus dorsi muscle. J. Elem. 2026, 31, 3, . https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3857

AMA

quote-mark
Dobiesz K, Borsuk-Stanulewicz M, Kozera W, Kaliniewicz J, Antoszkiewicz Z, Purwin C, Pomianowski J, Krzysztoń J, Karpiesiuk K. Influence of sex of hybrid pigs on the chemical composition of meat and the content of vitamins A, E and cholesterol in the longissimus dorsi muscle. J. Elem. 2026;31(3):. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3857

CHICAGO

quote-mark
Dobiesz Karolina, Borsuk-Stanulewicz Marta, Kozera Wojciech, Kaliniewicz Joanna, Antoszkiewicz Zofia, Purwin Cezary, Pomianowski Janusz, Krzysztoń Jarosław, Karpiesiuk Krzysztof. 2026. "Influence of sex of hybrid pigs on the chemical composition of meat and the content of vitamins A, E and cholesterol in the longissimus dorsi muscle" J. Elem. 31, no.3:. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3857



Keywords:

cholesterol and vitamins, sex, pigs, chemical composition, meat quality

About issue:

31.3.2026
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