Abstract
The presence of free androgen and glucocorticoid receptors was demonstrated in the rectus femoris muscle of the pig. No detectable free androgen receptors were observed in intact male pigs. Androgen receptor characteristics in castrates and gilts were related to the growth rate of the lean meat in the ham. The amount of free androgen receptor was less (P<.05) and the androgen was more tightly bound to its receptor (P<.05) in pigs with above-average ham growth. Moreover, a higher DNA content (P<.01) was also found in these pigs, giving a lower (P<.05) protein to DNA ratio. The anabolic action of androgens is likely to be mediated via androgen receptors in skeletal muscle cytosol. The amounts of free glucocorticoid receptors found were influenced by the pH of the cytosolic fraction. The relationships between cytosolic pH and both the amount of glucocorticoid receptor (positive; P<.01) and plasma levels of Cortisol (negative; P<.05) might reflect the stress to which the pigs are exposed at slaughter. Copyright © 1981. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1981 by American Society of Animal Science.