The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sex and sire differences on the intramuscular fattyy acid (FA) profile in slaughter pigs. Particular attention was paid to differences in the indices for enzyme activities (desaturases and elongases) involved in the n−3 and n−6 PUFA metabolism. Strong relationships were found between the IMF content and Δ9, Δ5, Δ6 desaturase and elongase activity indices in pork Longissimus muscle were apparent. Sex and sire had no or moderate effects on Δ9 desaturase and elongase activity indices in MUFA metabolism, but both animal factors significantly affected the long chain n−6 and n−3 PUFA metabolism.

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