Prevalence and Severity of Pale, Soft, and Exudative (PSE)-like zones in crossbred pigs (Hampshire x Yorkshire): Insights into Season, Gender, Slaughter weight and Technological Meat Traits

Abstract

Pale, soft, and exudative (PSE)-like zones in pork is a growing concern, affecting several meat quality attributes as well as production economics. This study investigates the prevalence and severity of PSE-like zones in Swedish commercial crossbred pigs (Yorkshire dam x Hampshire sire), focusing on the effects of the key factors such as season, gender, slaughter weight and technological meat quality traits. A total of 192 pigs were sampled during four seasons (autumn, winter, spring, summer) and assessed for post-slaughter PSE-like zones. Results revealed that season significantly influenced the prevalence of PSE-like zones, with a notably lower prevalence observed in summer compared to other seasons. Gender differences were also significant, with female pigs showing a higher incidence of PSE-like zones compared to immuno-castrated males. Additionally, slaughter weight was significantly associated with the prevalence of PSE-like zones, while the proportion of affected muscle weight notably influenced severity levels. Among technological meat quality traits, lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) showed strong associations with both prevalence and severity, while redness (a*) demonstrated a significant association solely with severity. Additionally, ultimate temperature (Temp_24h) had a significant effect on prevalence of PSE-like zones. These findings underscore the importance of season-specific environmental management and handling practices to minimize the prevalence and severity of PSE-like zones. Future strategies integrating genetic selection, stress reduction measures, and optimized slaughter processes hold potential for improving meat quality outcomes in commercial pork production systems.

Keywords

PSE-like zones; Meat quality; Yorkshire x Hampshire; Season; Gender; Slaughter weight

Published in

Livestock Science
2025, volume: 295, article number: 105690

SLU Authors

• Mashood, Qasim

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Wallenbeck, Anna

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Eriksson, Susanne

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Johansson, Anna Maria

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Karlsson, Anders

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Arvidsson Segerkvist, Katarina

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Food Science
Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105690

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/141450