Beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase activity in heart, muscle and adipose tissue of German Landrace pigs selectively bred for differences in backfat deposition.

The density of beta-adrenergic receptors was examined in heart, muscle (m. longissimus dorsi) and backfat tissue of German Landrace pigs using (-)-[3H]-dihydroalprenolol. The animals were selected for high (E(+)-line) or low (E(-)-line) activity of lipogenic enzymes in backfat and for low backfat thickness (U(-)-line) based on ultrasonic measurement. An unselected control (K0-line) also exists. The correlated selection response on stress susceptibility (measured by halothane reaction and by meat quality parameters) showed the following sequence of selection lines: U- greater than E- greater than E+ greater than K0. The strains used for examination descended from the 9th generation (heart and muscle tissue) and the 10th generation (heart, muscle and adipose tissue) of this selection experiment. No further selection took place between the 9th and 10th generation. Basal adenylate cyclase activity was determined as well as (-)-Isoproterenol + GTP or sodium fluoride (NaF) stimulated activity in heart and muscle of the 10th generation measuring [3H]-cAMP formation from [3H]-ATP. A good correlation (r greater than or equal to 0.59, n = 9) between beta-adrenergic receptor density and adenylate cyclase activity was found which pointed to an efficient receptor-effector system. The number of beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase activity was higher in the U(-)-line in all investigated tissues compared to the other lines in the 9th and 10th generation. Most differences between these lines were also significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)