Growth and development of Serrana kids from Montesinho Natural Park (NE of Portugal)

Abstract

This study was to evaluate meat potential of Serrana goats, raised under harsh conditions of the mountains of NE Portugal. Sixteen males of the local Serrana goat breed were taken from different herds in Montesinho Natural Park in NE Portugal. Allometric coefficients of different body tissues and carcass were calculated. Shoulder and leg were earlier developing than loin and breast. Muscle was isometric ( b = 1.07 ; P ≥ 0.05) and bone was the most precocious tissue ( b = 0.763; P ≤ 0.01). Different fat deposits were later developing, with allometric coefficients ( P ≤ 0.01) higher than 1.0, and the order of fat deposition was: subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, mesenteric fat, kidney knob and channel fat (KKCF — the perinephric and retroperitoneal fat) and omental fat. Subcutaneous and intermuscular fat deposits, which were later developing in relation to BW, were isometric in relation to total fat of carcass. All fat deposits in the different carcass joints (with the exception of fat deposits in leg and shoulder and the subcutaneous fat in loin and neck) had allometric coefficients ( P ≤ 0.01) higher than 1.0. Sites of the later subcutaneous fat deposition were breast and chump, whereas later intermuscular fat depositions were in loin and breast. The results suggest that intermuscular fat is later developing than subcutaneous fat in relation to half carcass weight. The higher proportion of muscle and lower proportion of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat deposits indicate the potentialities of the Serrana breed as a source of lean meat, according to the consumption preferences of the Mediterranean area of the European Union.