The aim was to investigate distribution characteristics of melanocytes in Taihe Silky Fowl&rsquo;s skin by Lillie&rsquo;s and DOPA staining methods and transmission electron microscopy. According to the present results, mature melanocytes were mainly located in basal layer of epidermis and hair follicle bulbs, whereas the amelanotic melanocytes were in the outer root sheath of hair follicles. In various partial skins, maturity levels of melanocytes generally were as: claw skin&gt;rear skin&gt;dorsal skin&gt;abdominal skin&gt;wattle skin&gt;cockscomb skin. In mature melanocytes, melanosomes were divided into stage I, II, III and IV, and mostly belonged to stage IV. To conclude, melanocytes in hairy skin more easily reached mature status than in meaty skin and the melanocytes in dorsal skin matured faster than in abdominal skin as well. Furthermore, the melanin migration was subjected to the strict control of melanocytes, but had nothing to do with keratinocytes.

Distribution rule of melanocytes in Taihe Silky Fowl&rsquo;s black skin

Objective of this paper was to evaluate phenotypic variability of carcass side and pork quality traits of fatteners (male castrated and female heads). Investigation included 12 pigs per group of Mangalitsa (Genotype 1), Moravka (Genotype 2), cross-breed Mangalitsa with Moravka (Genotype 3) and cross-breed Moravka with Duroc boar (Genotype 4). Results show that Mangalitsa had lower daily gain (268 g) than other genotypes (p&lt;0.001). The greatest difference for fat thickness was determined between Genotype 1 and Genotype 4. As expected, the thinnest fat and maximum value for gain and depth of Musculus longissimus (ML) had the Genotype 4. The highest value for the ML surface was found in Genotype 4(47.52 cm2) whereas for the same trait in Mangalitsa the lowest value was observed (24.16 cm2). Mangalitsa had significantly lower L*, a* and b* values of ML compared with all other groups (p&lt;0.001). Considering the low production performance of indigenous pig breeds, crossbreeding with the Duroc breed will contribute a improvement of growth and carcass traits.

Distribution rule of melanocytes in Taihe Silky Fowl’s black skin

Carcass and pork quality traits of indigenous pure breeds (Mangalitsa, Moravka) and their crossbreads