Influence of vitamin A on the beef quality of the Tajima strain of Jap
anese Black cattle was studied. Marbling scores were correlated with s
erum vitamin A concentrations just before slaughter (r = -0.38). The m
ean marbling score of the low vitamin A group that were not supplement
ed with vitamin A after 15 months of age was significantly higher than
that of the group supplemented with high vitamin A. However, there,va
s no significant difference in the marbling scores between the group t
hat were not given vitamin A after 23 months of age and the high vitam
in A supplemented group. These results suggest that vitamin A suppleme
ntation affects carcass marbling only if given before 23 months of age
, in these cattle. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.