Effects of Maternal Undernutrition during Mid-Gestation on the Yield, Quality and Composition of Kid Meat Under an Extensive Management System.

Xiaoling Zhou,Musibau Adungbe Bamikole,Zhiliang Tan,Zhixiong He,Zhiwei Kong,Hong Yang,Qiongxian Yan,Ao Ren,Xuefeng Han,Shaoxun Tang

doi:10.3390/ani9040173

Abstract

Simple SummaryNutrition status during pregnancy affects the meat production of offspring. In ruminants, the nutrient supply during the first and third periods of gestation is generally stressed, whereas the nutrition level during the second period of gestation is given less attention, in particular under the extensive husbandry system. This study focused on the effects of a 40% maternal undernutrition during mid-gestation, on the yield, quality, and composition of kid meat under an extensive system. The meat yield of the kids was decreased, while the meat quality and chemical composition, including the amino acid and fatty acid profiles, were unaffected. In meat production under an extensive husbandry system, the importance of the nutrient supply during mid-gestation in ruminants should be stressed.Nutritional status during mid-gestation is often ignored under extensive husbandry. This study aimed to examine the effect of maternal undernutrition during mid-gestation on kid meat production under an extensive system. Twenty-seven goats (45 ± 3 d of gestation) were randomly assigned to an unrestricted group (100% of nutrient requirements), or a restricted group (60% of nutrient requirements from 45 to 100 d of gestation, and then re-alimented to 100%). Among the offspring, 16 eligible kids (eight per treatment) were selected, based on birth type and survival, and were harvested to evaluate the meat yield, quality, and composition at 90 d after birth. Maternal undernutrition reduced the body weight and size, average daily gain and hot carcass weight of the kids (p < 0.05). The lightness of the meat at 45 min postmortem was increased (p = 0.029) in the restricted kids. Apart from an increase in tyrosine concentration (p = 0.046), the proximate composition and the amino acid and fatty acid profiles were unaffected in the restricted kids (p > 0.05). Overall, maternal undernutrition during mid-gestation decreased the yield of kid meat, but did not significantly modify the quality and composition. These results highlight the importance of nutrient status during mid-gestation in the meat production of small ruminants under an extensive regime.

Highlights

Meat products from young livestock under an extensive system, such as veal, lamb and kid, compose a prosperous consumption category that is gaining higher demand from retailers and consumers, because of the low fat content, distinctive taste and good animal welfare associated with these products [1,2]
After detection through portable ultrasonography (Aloka SSD-500 with a 5-MHz linear probe; Aloka, Shanghai, China), twenty-seven pregnant goats (45 ± 3 d of gestation) were randomly assigned to two groups, according to body weight (BW) and age: An unrestricted control group [UR group, 30.6 ± 12.0 kg BW, 4.1 ± 1.9 years, fed 100% of nutrient requirements according to the feeding standard of meat-producing sheep and goats (2004) [12], n = 12] and a restricted group (R group, 29.5 ± 8.5 kg BW, 4.1 ± 1.8 years, fed 60% of global nutrient requirements, n = 15)
By modeling a moderate intake restriction (32.3%) under an extensive rearing system, this study aimed to examine the impact of overall maternal undernutrition during mid-gestation on the meat production of young offspring

Summary

Introduction

Meat products from young livestock under an extensive system, such as veal, lamb and kid, compose a prosperous consumption category that is gaining higher demand from retailers and consumers, because of the low fat content, distinctive taste and good animal welfare associated with these products [1,2]. In addition to the management and dietary factors that mainly affect meat production in intensive husbandry [1], the development of muscular tissue in utero, and during the early life after birth, determines the meat production of young livestock under an extensive system. The myogenesis process originates from the differentiation of myogenic precursor cells from the paraxial mesoderm into myoblasts; the myoblasts fuse into primary myofibrils during the first period of gestation. Secondary myofibrils are generated from progenitor cells, followed by further differentiation into mature myofibers during mid-gestation [3]. The development of secondary myofibrils during mid-gestation defines the number and composition of muscle fibers in later life to a large extent [6], and further determines the growth rate, muscle mass and meat quality of descendants after birth [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion