José Manuel Martins

Universidade de Évora | uevora · Department of Animal Science

Preserving diversity of indigenous pig (Sus scrofa) breeds is a key factor to (i) sustain the pork chain (both at local and global scales) including the production of high-quality branded products, (ii) enrich the animal biobanking and (iii) progress conservation policies. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips offer the opportunity for whole-g...

Gene expression is one of the main factors to influence meat quality by modulating fatty acid metabolism, composition, and deposition rates in muscle tissue. This study aimed to explore the transcriptomics of the Longissimus lumborum muscle in two local pig breeds with distinct genetic background using next-generation sequencing technology and Real...

Coronaviruses silently circulate in human and animal populations, causing mild to severe diseases. Therefore, livestock are important components of a "One Health" perspective aimed to control these viral infections. However, at present there is no example that considers pig genetic resources in this context. In this study, we investigated the varia...

ROHs are long stretches of DNA homozygous at each polymorphic position. The proportion of genome covered by ROHs and their length are indicators of the level and origin of inbreeding. Frequent common ROHs within the same population define ROH islands and indicate hotspots of selection. In this work, we investigated ROHs in a total of 1131 pigs from...

This study evaluated the effects of physical activity on blood, growth, carcass, and meat quality of finishing Alentejano (AL) pigs. Pigs, reared from ~87 to 160 kg in individual pens (no exercise area, NE group, n = 9) or in an outdoor park (with exercise area, WE group, n = 9), were fed commercial diets (85% ad libitum). WE pigs were in a park (~...

Background: Natural and artificial directional selection in cosmopolitan and autochthonous pig breeds and wild boars have shaped their genomes and resulted in a reservoir of animal genetic diversity. Signatures of selection are the result of these selection events that have contributed to the adaptation of breeds to different environments and prod...

Autochthonous pig breeds provide products of differentiated quality, among which quality control is difficult to perform and insufficient for current market requirements. The present research evaluates the predictive ability of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, combined with chemometric methods as a rapid and affordable tool to assure traceability...

Coronaviruses silently circulate in human and animal populations, causing mild to severe diseases. Therefore, livestock are important components of a “One Health” perspective aimed to control these viral infections. However, at present there is no example that considers pig genetic resources in this context. In this study, we investigated the varia...

In this study, we identified copy number variants (CNVs) in 19 European autochthonous pig breeds and in two commercial breeds (Italian Large White and Italian Duroc) that represent important genetic resources for this species. The genome of 725 pigs was sequenced using a breed‐specific DNA pooling approach (30–35 animals per pool) obtaining an aver...

This work investigated the contribution of cross-breeding between two local Portuguese pig breeds to the conservation of animal biodiversity and income of local pig producers. Quality traits of semimembranosus (SM), gluteus medius (GM) and dorsal subcutaneous fat (DSF) were studied in Alentejano (AL), Bísaro (BI), AL × BI, and BI × AL (Ribatejano—R...

When compared to modern lean-type breeds, Portuguese local Alentejano (AL) and Bísaro (BI) pig breeds present a high potential for subcutaneous and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition which contributes for better meat quality. The aim of this work was to explore the genome function to better understand the underlying physiological mechanisms associa...

Contrary to intensive pig production, local pig breeds and their production systems are able to respond to the high criteria and expectations of modern society in regard to some environmental aspects, animal welfare, food quality and healthiness. This study proposes the recovery, study and use of a cross between two local breeds, contributing to an...

Tracing autochthonous pig breeds with meat near-infrared spectra data pig

Genetic characterization of local breeds is essential to preserve their genomic variability, to advance conservation policies and to contribute to their promotion and sustainability. Genomic diversity of twenty European local pig breeds and a small sample of Spanish wild pigs was assessed using high density SNP chips. A total of 992 DNA samples wer...

The aim of this work was to analyse the distribution of causal and candidate mutations associated to relevant productive traits in twenty local European pig breeds. Also, the potential of the SNP panel employed for elucidating the genetic structure and relationships among breeds was evaluated. Most relevant genes and mutations associated with pig m...

Proportion of successful reassignment using randomized groups of individuals. (TIFF)

Graph of cross-validation of DAPC. x axis reports the number of PC retained in each DAPC and y axis the proportion of successful outcome prediction. (TIF)

FST computed between each pair of pig populations. (DOCX)

Graph of BIC value vs. number of detected clusters. (TIF)

Nei’s genetic distances computed between each pair of pig populations. (DOCX)

Graph of α-score optimization of DAPC. (TIF)

Proportion of successful reassignment of the individuals to their specific breed. (TIFF)

The most likely number of clusters (K) in the analyzed dataset. a) plot of ln Pr(G|K) values as a function of the number of clusters for each of the 20 runs carried out for each K value using the program STRUCTURE. b) plot of K as the mean of the absolute values of L”(K) averaged over 20 runs divided by the standard deviation of L(K) between succes...

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the potential use of FT-NIRS for predicting intramuscular fat (IMF) and fatty acid groups (MUFA; PUFA; PUFA n-3, PUFA n-6; SFA) on pig grounded muscles. The research considered 160 fresh samples of Longissimus collected from 12 European local pig breeds (TREASURE * project). For every sample, lipids...

Data evaluating the effect of oleic-acid-enriched diets and outdoor rearing (with access to pasture) on the quality of Alentejano (AL) pork and fat are limited. The aim of this work was to study the effects of feeding low (LO) or high oleic acid (HO) diets to AL pigs reared in individual pens (IND) or outdoors (OUT) with access to pasture. Biceps f...

No âmbito do projeto TREASURE e com o objectivo de avaliar o desempenho produtivo do porco Ribatejano, resultante do cruzamento entre porcos Alentejanos (AL) e Bísaros (BI), 10 machos castrados de cada um dos genótipos AL, BI, ALxBI e BIxAL, foram estudados. Os animais foram criados em sistema tradicional e alimentados com rações comerciais ad libi...

Este trabalho pretendeu estudar comparativamente, parâmetros reprodutivos e produtivos das raças suínas Bísara (BI) e Alentejana (AL) utilizadas em cruzamento recíproco para a obtenção do porco Ribatejano. Nove porcas e marrãs AL e seis marrãs BI foram cobertas por varrascos BI e AL, respetivamente. Registaram-se as datas de cobrição e parto e os t...

This trail aimed to study the effect of crossbreeding between Alentejano (AL) and Bísaro (BI) swine breeds (Ribatejano pig) on some reproductive and productive traits. Nine AL gilts and sows and six BI gilts were crossed with BI and AL boars, respectively. Mating and farrowing dates, and litter size at farrowing and 28d were registered. The pregnan...

In order to assess the productive performance of the Ribatejano (RI) pig, resulting from a cross between Alentejano (AL) and Bísaro (BI) breeds, castrated male pigs AL, BI, ALxBI and BIxAL were studied within the framework of the TREASURE project. Ten pigs from each genotype, raised in traditional free-range system and fed commercial diets ad libit...

Las razas porcinas ibérica y alentejana se encuentran biogeográficamente localizadas en el suroeste de la península Ibérica. Estas razas comparten un conjunto de características comunes. Ambas son fenotípicamente muy similares; muestran un bajo índice de crecimiento y una elevada deposición grasa y tienen un sistema común de producción al aire libr...

Alentejano pig is an autochthonous breed from the south of Portugal, traditionally finished under free-range conditions (Montanheira). Meat and fat of this breed are used to manufacture high quality meat products. Despite the impact on final product quality and on productive efficiency, carcass and meat quality of pigs available for manufacture of...

The Ribatejano (RI) pig productive performance, resulting from a cross between Alentejano (AL) and Bísaro (BI) breeds, was assessed within the framework of the TREASURE* project. Nine castrated male pigs from each genotype (AL, BI, ALxBI and BIxAL) were studied. Animals were raised in traditional free-range system, individually fed with commercial...

This study evaluates the effects of betaine supplementation (1 g kg− 1 for 20 weeks) on the regulation of genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism of Longissimus lumborum and Biceps femoris from obese Alentejano pigs. Betaine supplementation led to an increase in total cholesterol in both muscles, complementing results previously publishe...

Alentejano and Iberian breeds are biogeographically located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. These breeds shared a set of common characteristics. Both are phenotypically very similar showing a low growth rate and a high intramuscular fat content and are reared under extensive systems in open-range fields. The aim of the current study, car...

A former cross between Alentejano (AL) and Bísaro (BI) breeds, called Ribatejano pig (RI), was quite spread in Ribatejo region until half of the last century and was raised in both borders of Tagus River. Besides the renewed interest of this cross nowadays, no performance data is available regarding the RI (ALxBI and BIxAL) animals or their product...

The Alentejano pig is an autochthonous breed scarcely selected, that due to its high trend for fat deposition present poorer meat yields than modern commercial breeds. However, its higher contents of intramuscular fat (IMF) increase pork sensory attributes and consumers’ acceptability. Animal cells can obtain fatty acids (FA) from three distinct pa...

The aim of this study was to determine the gene sequence of the porcine FAS lipogenic enzyme of an obese AL pig in subcutaneous adipose tissue, the most relevant lipogenic tissue.

Quality of pork depends on genotype, rearing and pre- and post-slaughter conditions. However, no information is available on rearing system changes and oleic acid supplementation on carcass characteristics and fatty acid (FA) profile of pork from the Alentejano (AL) pig, an obese breed. This study evaluates the effects of feeding low (LO) or high o...

Para este trabalho, foram utilizados lombos (matéria-prima) obtidos em 3 sistemas de produção diferentes, com matrizes produtivas bem caracterizadas e conhecidas: 1) porcos de raça Alentejana ça Alentejana DOP e 3) porcos industriais (PI). Os lombos frescos foram identificados e sujeitos ao mesmo processo tecnológico de elaboração, na fábrica Compa...

The present study was carried out to investigate the evolution of chemical composition and physical traits of the Psoas major (PM) muscle during Alentejano pigs (AL) growth. Pigs were fed a commercial diet (15% CP; 3100 kcal DE) offered at 85 % of ad libitum, and slaughtered at 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110kg LW. The 24h chilled left side of each carcas...

Este trabalho teve como objetivo a utilização de óleo de girassol rico em ácido oleico na alimentação de suínos Alentejanos destinados à produção de carne para consumo em fresco. O ensaio foi realizado em condições de exploração. Utilizaram-se 12 suínos castrados alojados num parque com uma área de 3 Ha. Com um peso vivo médio de 60 Kg os animais f...

The use of betaine as a dietary supplement to reduce fat deposition and increase lean muscle mass in pigs is increasing. However, there is no available information on its effect on the physical and chemical (i.e. fatty acid (FA) profile) characteristics of pork. The effects of long-term betaine intake (1 g betaine kg(-1) diet for 20 weeks) on the c...

This study used TG, DSC, and SDS-PAGE techniques to study protein isolates (PIs) in the powder form obtained from lupin seeds flour Lupinus albus. Dif-ferent methods of preparing PIs were tested, resulting in final products that were different only in relation to the yield and protein content. The results of the protein anal-ysis by SDS-PAGE showed...

The aim of this work was to determine the relationship between physical measures from the subcutaneous tissue and Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle (area, depth, and width measured between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae, at the last rib, and between the 3rd and 4th last ribs) and the chemical composition of LD at 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110 kg LW. The c...

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of long term betaine intake on the cholesterol and lipid profile of Alentejano (AL) pigs. At ˜36 kg body weight (BW), castrated male and female pigs fed a commercial (C) diet, were divided into two groups: i) Group C, consuming the C diet; and ii) Group CB, consuming the C diet supplemented with...

In this study we analysed the chemical composition and physical characteristics of four muscles from Alentejano (AL) pigs, m. Biceps femoris (BF), m. Semimembranosus (SM), m. Longissimus dorsi (LD), and m. Psoas major (PM). Castrated male and female AL pigs allocated to an outdoor rearing area and fed a commercial diet offered at 85% estimated ad l...

This trial was undertaken to determine the effect of the rearing system (intensive vs. extensive) over the content of antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol) in the meat of Alentejano pigs. Sixteen Alentejano pigs with an average body weight (BW) of 60 kg were divided in two groups: Group I (n=10) was allocated in open-air individual pens, while Group II (...

The present work studied the evolution of fatty acid composition in the dorsal subcutaneous fat of free-range Alentejano pigs fed on pasture and acorns. Twenty pigs with a body weight (BW) of ~90 kg were placed in a 2 ha pasture (Lolium westerwoldium and Trifolium incarnatum) and fed daily with 4 kg of acorns. Animals were submitted to biopsies nea...

In this work differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and SDS-PAGE techniques were used to study protein isolates from white lupine seeds flour (Lupinus albus). The white lupine seeds flour was obtained with a protein content of (49.88 ± 0.08)%. Samples solubility curves were obtained by pH adjustment in the interval 1 pH 12, both in the presence an...

SUMMARY - To study the effects of slaughter weight on growth and carcass characteristics of Alentejano pigs, thirty pigs were used. 20 kg LW animals were allocated in individual pens outdoors and fed a commercial diet (15% CP, 3100 Kcal DE) offered at 85% ad libitum. Pigs were sequentially slaughtered in groups (n=5) with an average BW of 40, 70, 8...

This work has evaluated the influence of body weight (BW) on some plasma parameters of Alentejano pigs. Thirty castrated Alentejano pigs (~35 kg BW) were allocated in individual pens and fed a commercial diet (0.85 x ad libitum). The pigs were slaughtered in groups (n=5) with an average BW of 42.2, 70.9, 80.2, 90.1, 100.5, and 110.2 kg. Plasma samp...

Pork is the most widely produced and consumed meat (Mourot and Hermier, 2001). The European consumer, although suspicious of the subcutaneous or abdominal fat storage, prefers meat with a minimal proportion of intramuscular fat, which is at the origin of flavour (Fernández et al., 1999). The Alentejano (AL) pig, an autochthonous breed from the sout...

Legumes as functional foods The Mediterranean diet is rich in functional foods. Legumes are one of the key-foods of this diet and many authors mention their role in the prevention of dyslipidemias, diabetes and colon cancer. The hypocholesterolemic effect of legumes is related to several nutrients and phytochemicals. Among them: i) protein; ii) lip...

Histopathological study of atherosclerotic lesions in Alentejano pigs The present study aimed to assess the histopathological characterization of atherosclerotic lesions in Alentejano pigs, and to evaluate the relationship between several blood parameters and lesions development. Histomorphometric determinations of atherosclerotic lesions were perf...

Development of adipose and muscular tissues in Alentejano pig breed To study the effects of slaughter weight on adipose and muscular tissues development of Alentejano hogs thirty animals were used. With an average live weight of 35 kg, pigs were allocated in individual pens at outdoor and fed a commercial diet (15% CP and 3100 Kcal ED/kg) offered a...

The aim of this work was to study the effects of a high-fat diet (6% of sunflower oil) on growth performances and carcass characteristics of finishing Alentejano pigs. 20 Alentejano pigs (castrated female and male) were housed in individual pens in an outdoor area. The animals were divided in two groups with an average live weight of 60 kg. Group 1...

Das raças suínas autóctones exploradas em Portugal, a que mais se evidencia pertence ao tronco Ibérico, é o porco de raça Alentejana. A sua produção é feita com maior destaque na região do Alentejo, onde o sistema tradicional de exploração é baseado no aproveitamento dos subprodutos da exploração agrícola e dos recursos naturais, em particular da “...

A raça suína Alentejana é uma raça originária do Alentejo, região do sul de Portugal. Desde sempre que esta raça autóctone é explorada em regime agro-silvo-pastoril aproveitando os recursos naturais alimentares, nomeadamente as ervas e os frutos das azinheiras (Quercus rotundifolia) e dos sobreiros (Quercus suber). Após décadas de marginalização fa...

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of cholesterol-enriched casein (CAS) and blue lupin seed (BL) diets on the cholesterol metabolism of intact (INT) and ileorectal anastomosed (IRA) pigs. For 3 weeks, four groups of six pigs were allocated to the treatments (CAS-INT, CAS-IRA, BL-INT, and BL-IRA). Diet-induced hypercholestero...

To study the effects of slaughter weight on adipose and muscular tissues development of Alentejano hogs thirty animals were used. With an average live weight of 35 kg, pigs were allocated in individual pens at outdoor and fed a commercial diet (15% CP and 3100 Kcal ED/kg) offered at 85% Ad Libitum. Pigs were sequentially slaughtered in groups (n=5)...

Swine, due to their physiologic and anatomical similarities to humans, are considered as good models for cholesterol metabolism studies. The Alentejano (AL) pig is a breed from the south of Portugal with a higher lipogenic activity than European breeds. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of betaine (a methyl donor and an osmoprotect...

Este trabalho teve como objectivo determinar as características fisico-químicas do músculo Longissimus Dorsi de porcos de raça Alentejana destinados à produção de carne para consumo em fresco. Utilizaram-se 15 suínos Alentejanos (sexos neutralizados), que com um peso vivo médio de 37,5 kg foram alojados num parque extensivo com uma área de três hec...

Previous studies demonstrated the cholesterol-lowering effect of dietary legumes (mainly soybeans) in animals and humans, but the mechanisms by which they exert this effect are not completely understood. The contribution of the hindgut to this hypocholesterolemic effect is also not well documented. The present work was undertaken to investigate the...

The importance of legume proteins in cholesterol metabolism has been recognised, but the hindgut contribution is still unclear. The present work was undertaken to address the role of the caecum-colon in cholesterol metabolism in intact (I) and ileo-rectal anastomosed (IRA) pigs fed with casein or extruded soyabean (ES) diets. Four groups of six gro...