Abstract
<p>The effect of Zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) supplementation (0 <em>vs.</em> 0.15 mg/kg live weight) on the meat quality was evaluated in Katahdin x Charollais (32 KCh) and Katahdin x Dorper (28 KD) crosses. Lambs were fed a totally mixed ration with 14% crude protein (CP) and 2.9 Mcal EM/kg DM. Data were analyzed using a completely randomized 2 x 2 factorial design: 2 genotypes (KCh and KD) and 2 ZH levels (0 and 0.15 mg/kg live weight). No interaction was found between ZH and the genotypes. The breed of the sire (BS) did not affect most of the meat traits, only KCh crosses had higher color values (L* = 34.0±0.6 <em>vs.</em> 35.6±0.6; a* = 13.4±0.3 <em>vs.</em> 14.9±0.4; b* = 5.6±0.3 <em>vs.</em> 6.6±0.4; h* = 20.8±0.9 <em>vs.</em> 23.0±0.09; C* = 14.7±0.4 <em>vs.</em> 16.4±0.5), more fat (11.2±0.5 <em>vs.</em> 11.9±0.5) and less protein (21.3±0.1 <em>vs. </em>21.8±0.0) than KD. ZH meat had lower values (P &lt; 0.001) than meat from the control animals: L* (31.9±0.6 <em>vs.</em> 37.7±0.6), a* (12.9±0.4 <em>vs.</em> 15.5±0.4), h* (15.1±0.9 <em>vs.</em> 28.6±0.9) and C* (13.5±0.5 <em>vs.</em> 17.7±0.8). ZH increased shear force on meat (5.4±0.2 <em>vs.</em> 3.7±0.2 kgf), and produced less fat (9.7±0.5 <em>vs.</em> 12.5±0.5%) and bone (23.2±0.3 <em>vs.</em> 24.6±0.2%), but more muscle (65.8±0.5 <em>vs.</em> 61.2±0.4%). Zilpaterol hydrochloride use in lamb production caused leaner yield and more protein retention, at the expense of reducing meat sensory qualities.</p>
Highlights
According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2014), lamb production increased at an average rate of 1.12% per year during last decade
For 2025 it is expected a growth of 2.5% annually in lamb production driven by a substantial lamb consumption increase in developing countries (OECD-FAO, 2013)
When we compared the results of recent studies that evaluated different β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA) we found that zilpaterol hydrochloride was the best option for small ruminant (Mohammandi et al, 2006; Dickeman, 2007; Nourozi et al, 2008; López et al, 2010; López et al, 2011)
Summary
According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2014), lamb production increased at an average rate of 1.12% per year during last decade. The crossing of hair ewes with males specialized in meat production, showed comparative advantages and generated different quality options to meet Mexican market demands (Bores et al, 2007; Rios et al, 2011; Vazquez et al, 2011). In some of these studies, Katahdin, Charollais and Dorper breeds were highlighted as the most efficient breeds in terms of growth and carcass traits (Bores et al, 2007; Macias et al, 2010; Vázquez et al, 2011; Partida et al, 2010).
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