Abstract
Sheep breeding programmes for genetic improvement in carcass composition of terminal sires measure livewelght and ultrasonic backfat and muscle depths for inclusion in a selection index to predict genetic merit. Physiological traits which were genetically correlated with carcass traits could be incorporated into the selection index to increase the accuracy of selection and the rate of genetic improvement.This study examined differences in physiological traits between lines selected for high or low carcass lean content. The measured physiological traits were chosen according to their role in protein and lipid metabolism : b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose (GLUC) : indicators of energy balance; triglyceride (TRIG) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) : intermediaries of lipid metabolism; UREA and creatinine (CREA) : indicators of nitrogen / amino acid metabolism and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1): an Indicator of growth hormone status.
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Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972)
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