Carcass Characteristics Of Lambs Research Articles

Red propolis extract reduces the lipid oxidation of lamb meat

Context Brazilian red propolis stands out for its diverse composition, which includes phenolic compounds whose effects may be similar to those of synthetic feed additives. Aims The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of red propolis extract on the carcass and meat characteristics of lambs finished under confinement conditions. Methods The meat quality characteristics of the longissimus lumborum muscle were evaluated in 35 Santa Inês lambs, with an average age of 5 months and an initial average body weight of 17.08 ± 2.36 kg (mean ± s.d.), submitted to five distinct treatments (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 mL of red propolis extract/animal.day) over 68 days. Key results The use of propolis did not affect (P > 0.05) the characteristics of the carcass, as well as the chemical composition and cholesterol content. Among the physico-chemical parameters of meat, only the shear force had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05). There was also an exponential effect for lipid oxidation (P < 0.05), where the treatment with propolis had greater antioxidant effect. Meat with a lower content (P < 0.05) of saturated fatty acids was observed in sheep that received extract. There was also an increase (P < 0.05) in the content of monounsaturated acids and consequently an improvement in nutritional quality, atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes of desirable fatty acids. Conclusions The red propolis extract improved the lipid profile of the lamb meat. We recommend the inclusion of 7 mL red propolis extract/animal.day (or 59.50 mg total flavoloids/animal.day) in the diet of lambs finished under confinement conditions. Implications The red propolis extract proved to be a viable alternative as a natural feed additive.

Carcass traits and morphometry, typification of the Longissimus dorsi muscle and non-carcass components of hair lambs: can biscuit bran completely replace corn? A machine learning approach.

Biscuit bran (BB) is a co-product with worldwide distribution, with Brazil as the second largest cookie producer in the world with 1,157,051 tons. We evaluate the impact of completely replacing corn with BB on the characteristics and morphometry of carcass of purebred and crossbred Morada Nova lambs using machine learning techniques as an auxiliary method. Twenty male lambs from two genetic groups (GG) were used: purebred red-coated Morada Nova (MNR) and crossbred MNR × white-coated Morada Nova (MNF1). Supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques were used. No interaction (P > 0.05) was observed between diets (D) and genetic groups (GG) and no simple isolated effect was observed for carcass characteristics, qualitative-quantitative typification of the Longissimus dorsi muscle, weight of non-carcass components, weight and yield of commercial cuts and carcass morphometric measurements. The formation of two horizontal clusters was verified: (i) crossed lambs with corn and BB and (ii) purebred lambs fed corn and BB. Vertically, three clusters were formed based on carcass and meat characteristics of native lambs: (i) thermal insulation, body capacity, true yield, and commercial cuts; (ii) choice, performance, physical carcass traits, and palatability; and (iii) yield cuts and non-carcass components. The heatmap also allowed us to observe that pure MN lambs had a greater body capacity when fed BB, while those fed corn showed superiority in commercial cuts, true yields, and non-carcass components. Crossbred lambs, regardless of diet, showed a greater association of physical characteristics of the carcass, performance, palatability, and less noble cuts. Crossbred lambs, regardless of diet, showed a greater association of physical characteristics of the carcass, performance, palatability, and less noble cuts. BB can be considered an alternative energy source in total replacement of corn. Integrating of machine learning techniques is a useful statistical tool for studies with large numbers of variables, especially when it comes to analyzing complex data with multiple effects in the search for data patterns and insights in decision-making on the farm.

Supplementation of feedlot lambs with magnesium oxide and sodium bicarbonate: Effects on performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen environment, serum biochemistry and antioxidant indices

The present experiment was conducted to obtain an appropriate addition strategy of magnesium oxide (MgO) for feedlot lambs and to elucidate how the combined addition of MgO and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) influences the growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot lambs. Sixty male Dorper-Hu hybrid lambs (32.76 ± 0.85 kg) were randomly assigned to 20 pens (3 lambs per pen; 5 pens per treatment). Lambs received a corn-based total-mixed ration (TMR, 80:20 concentrate to forage) without supplementation (CON) or with the inclusion (dry matter basis) of 15 g/kg NaHCO3 (SB), 2.5 g/kg MgO + 7.5 g/kg NaHCO3 (MG1) or 5 g/kg MgO + 7.5 g/kg NaHCO3 (MG2). Buffer addition effectively increased ruminal pH and water intake in feedlot lambs (P < 0.01). The MG2 group had lower dry matter intake (P ≤ 0.03), while the MG1 group showed higher average daily gain and lower feed-to-gain ratio than the other groups (P < 0.01). Compared to the CON and SB groups, MG1 and MG2 groups had greater total tract nutrient digestibility, except for the stage 1 of DM and ADF (P < 0.01). Adding MgO with NaHCO3 improved total volatile fatty acids concentration (P < 0.01). Microbial community analysis revealed enhanced Prevotella abundance in both MG1 and MG2 groups (P = 0.04). Additionally, MG1 and MG2 groups also both exhibited greater serum antioxidant capacity compared to CON and SB groups (P ≤ 0.03). The MG1 group showed greater dressing percentage, and ribeye area than other groups (P < 0.01). Overall, the recommended supplementation strategy for the lambs' diet was 2.5 g/kg MgO + 7.5 g/kg NaHCO3. The mixture of MgO and NaHCO3 enhanced the total tract nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and serum antioxidant capacity in lambs, resulting in improved lamb growth and carcass performance.

Influence of genotypes of spineless cacti on feedlot lamb carcass characteristics and meat quality

Aim of study: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of spineless cactus genotypes (Nopalea cochenillifera or Opuntia stricta) on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot lambs. Area of study: Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. Material and methods: Thirty-six uncastrated male Santa Inês lambs (22.0±2.91 kg of body weight) were used in a completely randomized design, with three dietary treatments: (1) Tifton hay as exclusive roughage; (2) Nopalea spineless cactus; or (3) Opuntia spineless cactus as a partial replacement for Tifton hay; the animals were slaughtered after 86 days of feedlot. Main results: The Nopalea and Opuntia diets increased (p&lt;0.05) the empty body weight and the weight of the cold carcass. The cold carcass yield for lambs fed diets with spineless cactus was higher (p&lt;0.05). The spineless cactus diets led to a greater amount (p&lt;0.05) of internal fat and carcass fat. Spineless cactus increased the weight, yield, and fattening score of the carcasses of lambs. The meat from animals fed with spineless cactus showed higher ether extract content (p&lt;0.05). The score attributed to meat color in the Opuntia treatment was higher (p&lt;0.05), as well as the characteristic flavor for the Nopalea treatment. Research highlights: Spineless cactus, regardless of the genotype, increases the weight, yield, and fattening of the carcass of feedlot lambs.

The effect on carcass characteristics of different silage types used in the rations of fattening lambs

This study was carried out to investigate the effects on carcass characteristics of lambs fed with different silage types (corn silage, sunflower silage and their mixtures) and their mixtures at different levels. In the study, rumen volatile fatty acids levels and rumen pH of the lambs used in the experiment were determined at the beginning and end of fattening. For corn silage and sunflower silages, aerobic stability and lactic acid bacteria and yeast-mold counts were determined. In the treatment, 40 Kıvırcık male lambs aged 2.5-3 months were used as animal material. Lambs were divided into 5 different silage groups (100% corn silage, 75% corn+25% sunflower silage, 50% corn silage+50% sunflower silage, 25% corn silage+75% sunflower silage, 100% sunflower silage) and it was planned to have 8 lambs in each group. The lambs were housed in individual compartments during the experiment and the animals were individually fed. Silages were given to the lambs ad libitum and in addition to silage 700, 900 and 1400 g concentrated feed were given daily between 0-21, 21-42 and 42-56 days, respectively. As a result, it can be said that feeding with different silage types does not have a significant effect on carcass characteristics of lambs, and silages prepared with corn silage, sunflower silage and their mixtures can be used successfully in lamb fattening.

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of ram lambs fed with concentrate mixture containing varying levels of rice dried distillers grains with soluble

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of ram lambs fed with concentrate mixture containing varying levels of rice dried distillers grains with soluble

Dried tomato vines in substitution to alfalfa hay to feed Barbarine lambs: Effects on diet intake, growth performances and carcass quality

Tomato vines are a by-product of tomato plants pruning at different stage of growth and production. Large quantities of tomato vine biomass are produced and accumulated near greenhouses and cause environmental problems. Tomato vines could be used (DTV) as dry roughage to feed livestock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of substituting dried tomato vines (DTV) to alfalfa hay at two levels (50% and 75%) on feed intake, growth performances, non-carcass components, and carcass characteristics of Barbarine lambs. Twenty four 8 months-old Barbarine lambs, with an average weight of 31 kg, were divided into three groups of 8 each and fed diets with different compositions of the roughage portion: the Al100 group received only alfalfa hay as forage, the Al50-T50 group received equal portions of alfalfa hay and DTV, and for the T75-Al25group, the roughage portion was composed of 75% of DTV and 25% of alfalfa hay. All lambs received the same amounts of forage (increasing from 1000 to 1400 g) and the same quantities of concentrated feed (increased from 500 to 700 g). The trial lasted 88 days, after which all of the animals were slaughtered. It was found that substituting DTV to alfalfa hay at the levelof 50% had no effect on roughage and total diet intake. In addition, DTV intake did not affect the slaughter weight (P > 0.05), although the average daily gain and total weight gain were 136 g and 11.5 kg for the Al100 and Al50-T50 groups vs. 125 g and 9.6 kg,; for the T75-Al25 group. Overall, carcass yields and non-carcass components were similar for the three groups of lambs. However, DTV incorporation at the levels of 50% and 75% resulted in leaner carcasses for both tomato groups compared with the Al100 group (54.3 vs.49.9% of muscle and 24.4 vs. 28.8% of fat, respectively). Nevertheless, the highest level of tomato incorporation (75%) promoted the development of the leaner second meat grade (SMCC)(18.2%; P = 0.02) compared to the medium (50%) and null level (0%) of DTV incorporation, which resulted in the same proportion of SMCC(17.5%).

Effects of Leymus chinensis hay and alfalfa hay on growth performance, rumen microbiota, and untargeted metabolomics of meat in lambs.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Leymus chinensis hay and alfalfa hay as the roughage on the rumen bacterial and the meat metabolomics in lambs. Fourteen male lambs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments (one group was fed with concentrate and Leymus chinensis hay; another was fed with concentrate and alfalfa hay) with seven replicates per treatment. The feeding experiment lasted for 60 days. Lambs were slaughtered at the end of the feeding experiment. Growth performance, carcass performance, and weights of various viscera were determined. The longissimus dorsi and rumen contents were collected for untargeted metabolomics and 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing analysis, respectively. The lambs fed with alfalfa hay showed a significantly increased in average daily gain, carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin-eye area, and kidney weight. Feeding Leymus chinensis hay and alfalfa hay diets resulted in different meat metabolite deposition and rumen bacterial communities in the lambs. The relative abundance of phyla Fibrobacteres, Bacteroidetes, and Spirochaetes were greater in the Leymus Chinensis hay group, while, the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia were greater in the alfalfa hay group. Based on untargeted metabolomics, the main altered metabolic pathways included alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism. Several bacteria genera including BF31, Alistipes, Faecalibacterium, Eggerthella, and Anaeroplasma were significantly correlated with growth performance and meat metabolites. Alfalfa hay improved growth performance and carcass characteristics in lambs. Leymus chinensis hay and alfalfa hay caused different meat metabolite deposition by modifying the rumen bacterial community. These findings will be beneficial to future forage utilization for sheep growth, carcass performance, and meat quality improvement.

Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, In Vivo Digestibility, and Meat Quality of Pelibuey Lambs Fed a Diet with Ensiled Coffee Pulp.

Coffee pulp has been included in ruminant diets; but until now, little has been known about how the addition of ensiled coffee pulp (ECP) affects the growth performance of lambs. This study explores the diet's antioxidant capacity, tannins, and caffeine concentration and its effect on water intake, growth performance, rumen variables, in vivo digestibility, nitrogen balance, and carcass and meat characteristics of lambs fed ECP. Thirty-six male Pelibuey lambs were distributed randomly to one of three treatments (n = 12): without ECP0; diet with 10% ECP10, and diet with 20% ECP20. The diets' antioxidant capacity, tannins, and caffeine concentration were similar (p > 0.05) for all treatments. The diets' antioxidant compounds and the blood serum's antioxidant capacity were affected (p < 0.05). Dry matter and water intake, body-weight gain, and feed conversion were not significant (p > 0.05). No differences (p > 0.05) were found in the rumen variables or the nitrogen balance. However, the in vivo digestibility of crude protein was affected (p < 0.05). Carcass and meat quality were not affected (p > 0.05) by the inclusion of ECP, except temperature and redness (a*) at seven days of storage, respectively. Including up to 20% of ECP in the diet of lambs did not affect the growth performance, rumen variables, or nitrogen balance; however, the antioxidant compounds of the diets, the antioxidant capacity in blood serum, and the in vivo digestibility of crude protein were different. There was an increase in the redness (a*) and lower temperature in the Longissimus dorsi muscle, keeping lightness (L*), yellowness (b*), water-holding capacity, and texture at seven storage days.

Evaluation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product on the Feedlot Performance and Carcass Merit of Hair Lambs Offered an Annual Ryegrass-Hay-Based Finishing Diet: A Pilot Study.

Hair sheep production has increased in recent years, which has resulted in an increased presence in feedlots. Additionally, grass-based finishing systems for ruminant animal production have increased. Data are limited for finishing hair lambs on diets based on cool-season hay. The objective was to evaluate a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) on the feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of Katahdin lambs offered an annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)-hay-based diet. Twenty-four Katahdin lambs (21.5 ± 2.5 kg BW) were assigned to either the control (CON) or the yeast-supplemented group (SCFP) in a completely randomized design. Lambs were offered a 14% crude protein total mixed ration diet based on annual ryegrass hay. The SCFP group also received the yeast supplement in their diet. Lambs in the SCFP group had a higher final body weight (p < 0.01) and ADG (p = 0.01). Less maximum and total energy were required to cut SCFP lamb meat compared to CON lamb meat (p < 0.03). Results from this study indicated that SCFP supplementation may prove to be beneficial in hair lamb finishing diets. Future research will need to specifically evaluate the use of these products in hair lambs with a larger sample size.

Essential Oils Combined with Vitamin D3 or with Probiotic as an Alternative to the Ionophore Monensin Supplemented in High-Energy Diets for Lambs Long-Term Finished under Subtropical Climate.

Supplementation with natural additives such as essential oils (EO) or probiotics has resulted in comparable growth performance to that of supplemental monensin in fattening lambs in hot environments. Supra-supplementation levels of vitamin D3 improved the carcass weight and dressing percentage of steers fattened under tropical conditions. We hypothesized that certain combinations of these natural additives could be complementary. For this reason, a feeding trial was carried out using 48 Pelibuey × Katahdin non-castrated male lambs (107 ± 14 d age; 17.9 ± 2.51 kg LW). Lambs were fed an 88:12 concentrate to forage ratio basal diet supplemented (dry matter basis, DMI) with: (1) no additive (CON); (2) 28 mg monensin/kg diet (MON); (3) 150 mg of essential oils containing a combination of thymol, eugenol, vanillin, guaiac, and limonene plus 0.12 mg vitamin D3 (EO + D3)/kg diet; and (4) 300 mg of essential oils containing a combination of carvacrol and cynamaldehyde plus 2 g probiotic (2.2 × 108 CFU of bacillus subtilis/kg diet, EO + BS). Lambs were grouped by initial weight and assigned within six weight groupings to 24 pens (2 lambs/pen, 6 replicas per treatment) in a randomized complete block design. The experiment lasted 121 days. Daily maximal THI exceeded the 80 "danger or "emergency" range for 119 days of the 121 days of the trial. Lambs supplemented with MON had similar DMI, growth performance, and dietary energetics to those of CON lambs. Lambs supplemented with EO + BS had a greater (9.2%, p ≤ 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) than the CON and MON groups due to enhanced (10.2%, p ≤ 0.05) dry matter intake. Thus, gain efficiency (GF) and estimated dietary energy were similar for CON, MON, and EO + BS. Lambs receiving EO + D3 had similar (0.254 vs. 0.262 kg/d) ADG but a lower DMI (8%, p < 0.05) compared with EO + BS lambs. Consequently, GF and estimated dietary net energy were greater (4.9 and 3.7%, respectively; p ≤ 0.05) for EO + D3 lambs. Even when ambient heat load was elevated, the efficiency of utilization of dietary energy (observed-to-expected dietary net energy) was close to 1.00 (0.992) expected for EO + D3 lambs. In contrast, efficiency of energy utilization was depressed by -4.4% for lambs on the other treatments. Compared with the other treatments, lambs receiving EO + D3 had greater longissimus muscle area (5.6%, p < 0.05) and lower kidney pelvic fat (21.8%, p ≤ 0.05). There were no treatment effects on shoulder tissue composition or whole cuts (expressed as % of cold carcass weight). Compared to CON, lambs that were fed with natural additives showed 3.5% lower (p ≤ 0.05) intestine mass. All supplemental additives decreased visceral fat mass, which was minimal with EO + D3 treatment. Combinations of essential oils with vitamins or probiotics were superior to antibiotic monensin in finishing diets for feedlot lambs. Combining EO with probiotics promoted DM intake and gain but not gain efficiency, while combining EO with vitamin D3 supra-supplementation increased dietary energy efficiency and improved some carcass characteristics in lambs fattening under high ambient heat loads.

Effect of Cotton Gin Trash Supplementation as Unconventional Feedstuff on Feed Intake and Production Characteristics of Mecheri Sheep of India

This study investigated the effects of feeding cotton gin trash (CGT) to Mecheri ram lambs, as an alternate diet, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. A growth performance trial was conducted with thirty-two weaned Mecheri ram lambs with an average body weight of 12.64 ± 0.74 kg, which were assigned to four groups (n = eight animals in each group). The diet’s roughage part was replaced by CGT at percentages of 0% (T1), 25% (T2), 50% (T3), and 75% (T4). The growth trial lasted six months (180 days) from weaning lambs at 3–4 months until 9 months for marketing. All the animals were fed on a dry matter requirement basis at 4% of their body weight. The study revealed that the lambs fed with 50 (T3) and 75 (T4) % inclusion levels of CGT showed significantly (p &lt; 0.01) higher total body weight gain than the T1 and T2 groups. The average daily gain of lambs in T3 (99.24 g) and T4 (105.51 g) were significantly (p &lt; 0.01) higher than T1 (80.77 g) and T2 (83.61 g) groups. Throughout the study period, there was no statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05) difference in the average Dry Matter Intake (DMI) (g) between the groups; however, the lambs in T4 demonstrated higher feed efficiency (7.4) than the T1 (9.3) group. The slaughter studies revealed that the lambs in the T4 followed by the T3 groups registered significantly (p &lt; 0.01) higher hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and meat: bone ratio than T2 and T1 group animals. The T3 and T4 groups had significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher weights of the liver, spleen, head, stomach, and empty intestines when compared to T1 and T2 groups; however, there was no significant (p &gt; 0.05) difference in the weights of edible and inedible offals. In addition, there were no significant variations (p &gt; 0.05) in pH, WHC, shear force value, sensory characteristics, and proximate composition of meat among treatment groups. The SFA levels in the T3, T4, and T2 groups were substantially (p &lt; 0.01) greater than in the control group (T1). In contrast, the proportion of MUFA in the T1 group was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) greater than in the T3 and T4 treatment groups. There was no significant difference in PUFA or the PUFA/SFA ratio between the treatment groups. In accordance with current research findings, the CGT can be added up to 75% of the roughage component in sheep feed as an effective unconventional supplementation, as it improves body weight, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics in Mecheri ram lambs.

The Effect of Fattening Time on Fattening Performance, Slaughter and Carcass Characteristics in Tuj Male Lambs

The Effect of Fattening Time on Fattening Performance, Slaughter and Carcass Characteristics in Tuj Male Lambs

Fattening performance and carcass characteristics of lambs supplemented with condensed tannins from Acacia mearnsii extract

Tannins are polyphenolic compounds with some beneficial properties for ruminants as they act as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anthelmintics, which may improve animal performance. However, the results are variable, depending on the type, source, and dose. The objective of this research was to determine the effect on fattening performance and carcass characteristics of lambs supplemented with condensed tannins (CTs) from Acacia mearnsii extract. Thirty-six, three-month-old Dorset x Hampshire cross lambs of 20.8 ± 3.3 kg live weight were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments (n = 9), namely T1: basal diet, 0.0 g CT/kg DM-1; T2: T1 + 1.75 g CT/kg DM-1; T3: T1 + 3.5 g CT/kg DM-1; and T4: T1 + 5.25 g CT/kg DM-1. The daily weight gain was higher in T2 and T3 than in T1. The weight at slaughter and empty weight at slaughter were higher in T2 than in T1. The hot carcass weight was higher in T3 than in T1, but no different from T2 or T4. The hot carcass yield was higher in T3 than in the other treatments. The meat pH at slaughter and 24 hours postmortem was higher in T4 than in T1 and the meat protein percentage was higher in T3 than in T1. The inclusion of CTs from Acacia mearnsii extract in the diet of fattening lambs increased their daily weight gain, yield, and carcass weight.

Dieta de alto grão e inclusão de óleo residual de fritura na alimentação de cordeiros

Abstract In animal production, a large part of financial resources is destined to animal feed, so the use of low-cost diets with maximum production efficiency is crucial. The present study evaluated the effects of a high-grain diet and the use of residual frying oil on the productive performance and carcass characteristics of lambs. Fifteen lambs were distributed into three groups in a completely randomized design in which they were fed a control diet, a high-grain diet, or a diet with the inclusion of residual frying oil, for 40 days. There was no difference (P &gt; 0.05) between the control and frying-oil diets regarding the daily intakes of dry matter, crude protein, mineral matter, neutral detergent fiber, or total carbohydrates. The high-grain diet reduced the intake of dry matter and nutrients, negatively affecting weight gain. The highest means for final weight, total weight, and daily weight gain were obtained with the control diet and the diet containing residual oil, which did not differ from each other (P&gt; 0.05). Slaughter weight and hot and cold carcass weights decreased with the high-grain diet. There was an effect (P &lt; 0.05) of frying oil inclusion on the carcass characteristics of the lambs. The diets did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) carcass yields. The animals on the high-grain diet showed unsatisfactory production performance, with impaired carcass characteristics. The inclusion of frying oil led to greater weight gain as well as more attractive carcass characteristics, making it the most viable alternative in this research.

Effects of Acacia Albida leaf Supplementation on Post-Weaning Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Young Arab Lambs

Effects of Acacia Albida leaf Supplementation on Post-Weaning Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Young Arab Lambs

A ureia extrusada pode substituir a fonte de proteína verdadeira em suplementos para cordeiros terminados em pastagens tropicais

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing 50% of the true protein from soybean meal with extruded urea on the performance and carcass characteristics of lambs finished on pasture. Twenty lambs with initial weight of 29.9±6.2kg and 5 months of age, distributed in two treatments in blocks at random, were kept in pastures of Urochloa spp. Supplemented with 2% of body weight (BW). The treatments consisted of supplements containing soybean meal as the only true protein source (control), or extruded urea replacing 50% of soybean meal (NPN treatment). There was no effect of treatment on total supplement intake. There were differences in average daily gain (242.1 vs. 264.6g/day), slaughter weight (41.9 vs. 45.0kg) and carcass weight (18.9 vs. 20.1kg). There was no effect of the treatment on the final body condition score, hot carcass yield, carcass length, breast depth, subcutaneous fat thickness or rib eye area. The group of animals that received extruded urea showed superior carcass finishing characteristics (99.0% vs. 66.0%), maturity (22.0% vs. 0.0%), marbling (55.0% vs. 33.0%), meat texture (44.0% vs. 33.0%) and fat (66.0% vs. 22.0%). There were no significant effects on tenderness (7.5kg/f) or flesh color (L* = 33.2; a* = 16.2; b* = 8.3). There were no significant changes in the biochemical profile of the animals' blood during the experiment for both treatments. The replacement of 50% of protein from soybean meal by the extruded urea as NPN source in the supplement for lambs finished in Urochloa spp pastures provides better animal performance and qualitative characteristics of meat, without altering quantitative carcass characteristics.

An Origanum majorana Leaf Diet Influences Myogenin Gene Expression, Performance, and Carcass Characteristics in Lambs.

Myogenin is a protein in the myogenic regulatory factor family that plays an important role in determining carcass and meat traits and is vital for the growth and development of livestock muscles. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of Origanum majorana leaf (MOL) on the myogenin gene expression of lambs. Twenty-four male Kermani lambs were used in a completely randomized design using two experimental groups (0% Origanum majorana L. = MOL0 and 4% Origanum majorana L. = MOL4). Final weight, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight, feed conversion ratio, empty body weight, hot and cold dressing percentage, the weight of the shoulder, loin, leg, and lean meat, and the lean/bone ratio were measured. A standard kit was used for extracting total RNA from the loin, leg, and shoulder muscles of the lambs’ tissues. The cDNA was synthesized, a real-time PCR was performed, and the obtained data were analyzed. The results of this study showed that the effect of MOL4 on dry matter intake is not significant. The MOL4 diet increased final weight by 8.22%, average daily gain by 28.57%, hot carcass weight by 11.38%, cold carcass weight by 13.43%, feed conversion ratio by 31.03%, empty body weight by 9.38%, hot dressing percentage by 2.92%, cold dressing percentage by 3.75%, shoulder weight by 56.70%, loin weight by 8.98%, leg weight by 10.90%, lean meat weight by 14.62%, and the lean/bone ratio by 2.85% (p < 0.05) compared to the MOL0. Along with adding MOL4 in the lambs’ diets, in comparison with MOL0, there was higher expression of myogenin in the loin (3.5 times), leg (3.9 times), and shoulder (3.6 times) muscles of the lambs. Due to the fact that adding Origanum majorana to the diet of the lambs enhanced the expression of the myogenin gene in the loin, leg, and shoulder muscles and increased parameters related to growth, it can be used to improve the parameters related to growth and to increase myogenin gene expression in the muscle of lambs.

Effect of inclusion of alfalfa hay in the diet and gender on carcass and meat characteristics of Katahdin × Pelibuey lambs

ABSTRACT Dietary alfalfa hay could improve carcass and meat characteristics of lambs, however, information on hair breeds according to consumer demands is incomplete. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary alfalfa hay and gender on carcass characteristics and physico-chemical properties of Katahdin × Pelibuey lmabs (F1). Thirty-six male and twenty-four female lambs were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: two diets, with or without alfalfa hay (AH) and two genders (male and female). Dry matter Intake (DMI) of male lambs was higher than females (1.360 vs 1.267 kg/d), daily weight gain (DWG) (0.262 vs 0.212 g), live slaughter weight (40.2 vs 37.8 kg), hot carcass weight (HCW) (20.0 vs 18.8 kg), temperature (9.57 vs 5.98°C) and highest pentadecanoic (1.42 vs 0.74%), linoleic (4.86 vs 3.04%) and tricosanoic acid content (2.43 vs 1.26%) in Longissimus lumborurm muscle (LLM). The meat pH ranged from 5.1 to 6.0. Protein and lipid average values were 19.2 and 5.1%, respectively. Lambs fed alfalfa diet had similar physicochemical characteristics than those fed concentrate feed, indicating the possibility of producing lamb meat using alfalfa. Meat of male lambs had the highest linoleic acid content, which provides positive health benefits to the consumers.

Effect of feeding level on growth rate, carcass characteristics and meat quality of thin tailed lambs

A study was conducted to investigate the growth rate and carcass characteristics of lambs under different feeding levels. Twenty one lambs (3 months old) were allocated into 3 treatments of feeding levels, namely 4% of body weight (BW) (T1), 5.5% of BW (T2) and provided ad libitum (T3). The diet contained 13.74% of CP and 61.79% of TDN. The lambs were raised to reach 25 kg BW, before being slaughtered. The parameters observed were dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass production, meat-bone ratio (MBR), fat distribution, chemical composition of meat and fatty acids profile. The data obtained were analyzed by analysis of variance and continued by Duncan's multi-range test if there was any significant difference among the treatments. The results showed that the average of DMD was 59.71% (P&gt;0.05). The lambs fed T3 had the highest BWG (203 g/day), the lowest FCR (6.8) and the shortest rearing time (67 days) (P&lt;0.01). The average of carcass percentage was 46.36% and meat production was 6,931 g (P&gt;0.05). The lambs of T3 had the heaviest carcass fat (2,698 g), the lightest carcass bone (1,985 g), the highest MBR (3.6), and the highest PUFA to SFA ratio (0.55). It can be concluded that the higher the feeding level resulted in the higher growth rate, the lower feed conversion ratio, higher meat-bone ratio and higher carcass fat production, lower feed conversion ratio and the shorter rearing time; but did not af-fect the meat quality.