Malignant hyperthermia (MH) genotype, as expressed by the halothane genotype, was determined on a random sample of 100 pigs originating from the Western Cape. The pigs were slaughtered to investigate the effect of MH genotype on certain carcass characteristics and meat quality traits. Genotypes were determined by restriction endonuclease assay. No significant differences in back-fat thickness and percentage predicted lean yield were observed between genotypes. However, between genotypes, pH, values differed (P < 0.001), with NN being the highest (6.3), nn the lowest (5.4), and the Nn intermediate (5.9). There was a difference (P < 0.05) in ham yield (as percentage of carcass mass) between the NN (23.7%) and Nn (24.7%) genotypes. The percentage lean in the ham showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between NN (71.1 %) and Nn (72.7%), and between NN and nn genotypes (73.6%).

Keywords: Carcass characteristics, genotype, halothane, malignant hyperthermia, meat quality, pigs.