Carcass Mass Research Articles

Sex-Specific Control of Muscle Mass: Elevated IGFBP Proteolysis and Reductions of IGF-1 Levels Are Associated with Substantial Loss of Carcass Weight in Male DU6PxIGFBP-2 Transgenic Mice.

In farmed animals, carcass weight represents an important economic trait. Since we had demonstrated that IGFBP-2 represents a potent inhibitor of muscle accretion in inbred mice, we wanted to quantify the inhibitory effects of IGFBP-2 under conditions of elevated protein mass in growth selected non-inbred mice (DU6P). Therefore, we crossed male DU6P mice with female IGFBP-2 transgenic mice. Male IGFBP-2 transgenic offspring (DU6P/IGFBP-2) were characterized by more than 20% reductions of carcass mass compared to male non-transgenic littermates. The carcass mass in males was also significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in transgenic female DU6P/IGFBP-2 mice, which showed a reduction of less than 10% (p < 0.05) compared to non-transgenic female DU6P/IGFBP-2 mice. Although transgene expression was elevated in the muscle of both sexes (p < 0.001), serum levels were normal in female, but significantly reduced in male transgenic DU6P/IGFBP-2 mice (p < 0.001). In this group, also IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 were significantly reduced in the circulation (p < 0.01). Particularly in male transgenic mice, we were able to identify proteolytic activity against recombinant IGFBP-2 included in diluted serum. IGFBP-proteolysis in males correlated with massive reductions of IGF-1 in serum samples and the presence of elevated levels of IGFBP-2 fragments. From our data, we conclude that elevated tissue expression of IGFBP-2 is an essential effector of muscle accretion and may block more than 20% of carcass mass. However, in the circulation, intact IGFBP-2 contained no reliable biomarker content. Notably, for the estimation of breeding values in meat-producing animal species, monitoring of IGFBP-2 expression in muscle appears to be supported by the present study in a model system.

IMPROVEMENT OF COMBINED FEEDS FOR BROILERS WITH THE «PKB PLUS» ENZYME

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of an enzyme complex to diets of different nutritional value on the performance of broiler chickens. The article deals with the effect of feed additives on changes in weight gain, hematological and slaughter rates of broiler chickens. In this study, three groups of broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 breed (10 animals each) were treated and received different concentrations of enzyme-enriched feed. During the period of cultivation, following the generally accepted norms and methods of poultry feeding, it was found that the use of feed biocatalyst full-enzyme feed with activators in feeding broiler chickens at the rate of 250 g/t and 500 g/t increases the live weight at the end of cultivation by 4,52% and 9,4%. In this case, the average daily growth over the growing period increased by 4.76% and 9.52%. There is an increase in the mass of carcass by 6.19% and 12.38%.According to the results of the control slaughter, no significant influence of the studied factor on the mass of internal organs was established.The studies did not reveal any adverse effects on the major hematological parameters that were within the physiological norm. The results of the study should be used for growing broiler chickens to increase live weight gain and increase feed conversion. The enzyme preparation «PKB Plus» can be used in feed mixtures which have cereals in their composition such as wheat, soybeans, corn, triticale, etc., for broiler chickens with low levels of nutrients and energy for accelerating the metabolism of birds, inhibition of pathogenic and pathogenic which adversely affects the development of broiler chickens.

WITHDRAWN: Beef tenderness evaluation using early post-mortem muscle nanostructure.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

Condition and Sperm Characteristics of Perch Perca fluviatilis inhabiting Boreal Lakes Receiving Metal Mining Effluents

One of the world’s largest, but low-grade, sulfide nickel deposits in northeastern Finland has been exploited by a bioheapleaching technology since 2008. Bioheapleaching is a relatively new, cost-effective technology, but humid climate, e.g., in boreal temperate environments, causes challenges to the management of the water balance in the ore heaps with wide catchment area, and the mining effluents have caused substantial metal and salting contamination of the receiving waterbodies. In our study, the impacts of metal-extracting bioheapleaching mine effluents on muscle and liver element concentrations, body condition, liver and testes mass, and sperm count and motility of male perch Perca fluviatilis were analysed. Liver, testes, and carcass mass of perch in relation to their length were lower in the mining-impacted lakes than in the reference lake, which may be due to the metal contamination, food availability, and energy demand under multistressor conditions. The sperm counts of the males in the mining-impacted lakes were lower, but the endurance of their sperm motility was longer than the endurance of sperm of the reference males. These findings suggested that the condition and sperm characteristics of perch were altered in lakes receiving metal mining effluents. Measured variables seem to be useful indicators for metal mining impacts on freshwater fish but only if high natural variation in these characteristics can be controlled by multiyear monitoring scheme.

Carcass Provisioning for Scavenger Conservation in a Temperate Forest Ecosystem

Carrion plays an essential role in shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems and has far‐reaching implications for biodiversity conservation. The change in availability and type of carcasses throughout ecosystems can involve negative effects for scavenging communities. To address this issue, there have been recent conservation management measures of carrion provision in natural systems. However, the optimal conditions under which exposing carcasses to optimize conservation outcomes are still limited. Here, we used camera traps throughout elevational and vegetational gradients to monitor the consumption of 48 deer carcasses over a study period of six years by evaluating 270,279 photographs resulting out of 15,373 trap nights. We detected 17 species visiting carcass deployments, including five endangered species. Our results show that large carcasses, the winter season, and a heterogeneous surrounding habitat enhanced the frequency of carcass visits and the species richness of scavenger assemblages. Contrary to our expectations, carcass species, condition (fresh/frozen), and provision schedule (continuous vs single exposure) did not influence scavenging frequency or diversity. The carcass visitation frequency increased with carcass mass and lower temperatures. The effect of large carcasses was especially pronounced for mesopredators and the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Lynx were not too influenced in its carrion acquisition by the season, but exclusively preferred remote habitats containing higher forest cover. Birds of prey, mesopredators, and top predators were also positively influenced by the visiting rate of ravens (Corvus corax), whereas no biotic or abiotic preferences were found for wild boars (Sus scrofa). This study provides evidence that any ungulate species of carrion, either in a fresh or in previously frozen condition, attracts a high diversity of scavengers especially during winter, thereby supporting earlier work that carcass provisions may support scavenger communities and endangered species.

Invasive European wasps alter scavenging dynamics around carrion

European wasps (Vespula germanica) have invaded parts of North and South America, Australia and New Zealand. They are opportunistic predators and scavengers that can disrupt food webs and species interactions, but their role in food webs associated with carrion is poorly understood. In this study we examined wasp abundance at 20 vertebrate carcasses in south-eastern Australia. We also collected data on the abundance of blowflies and the occurrence and behavior of vertebrate scavengers at the same carcasses. Wasps arrived within minutes of deploying fresh carcasses and were approximately 4.3 times more abundant in forest compared with grassland habitats. Wasps killed and mutilated native blowflies and may have prevented them from ovipositing on carcasses, as we subsequently found that these carcasses were devoid of fly larvae. European wasps also appeared to interfere with dingoes (Canis dingo) feeding on carcasses, based on observations from cameras showing dingoes snapping their heads in the air and then retreating from the carcasses suddenly. The other major vertebrate scavenger in the system, feral pigs (Sus scrofa), did not show similar behavioral responses. Although we observed European wasps feeding on carcasses, carcass mass loss was slow. This could be a direct result of European wasps suppressing flies and potentially excluding dingoes from accessing carcasses. We conclude that European wasps may alter the way energy flows through scavenging food webs, which could have cascading impacts on ecosystem dynamics and services, although manipulative experiments would help to further evaluate these possibilities.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of broilers fed on earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) meal

The aim of the research was to evaluate the carcass characteristics and meat quality from chickens fed on diets in which fish meal was substituted with raw earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) or earthworm meal. In the trial which lasted 42-days, 100 one-day-old Hybro broilers were divided into the control and three experimental groups. The control group was fed on standard broiler feed, the first (E-I) and the second experimental groups (E-II) were fed a diet in which 50% or 100% of fish meal was substituted with earthworm meal, respectively, whilst the third group (E-III) consumed feed without fish meal, but was given raw chopped earthworms ad libitum from day 1 to day 42. The replacement of fish meal with fresh earthworms resulted in significantly lower carcass weights in the E-III group in comparison with the control group (p&lt;0.05). The differences in drumstick, thigh and breast meat share relative to the carcass mass were not significant (p&gt;0.05). The lowest fat content in thigh and breast meat was in the group in which fish meal was replaced with earthworm meal. The lightness (L*) of thigh and breast meat was highest in the broilers fed fresh earthworms ad libitum. No significant differences in pH value were detected between the experimental groups (p&gt;0.05). The most consumer acceptable were drumstick samples from E-II group and the least acceptable samples from the control group. Earthworm meal may be considered an adequate substitute for fish meal in broiler chickens’ diet since it does not impair the production performance, carcass yield and meat quality.

Carcass provisioning for scavenger conservation in a temperate forest ecosystem

AbstractCarrion plays an essential role in shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems and has far‐reaching implications for biodiversity conservation. The change in availability and type of carcasses throughout ecosystems can involve negative effects for scavenging communities. To address this issue, there have been recent conservation management measures of carrion provision in natural systems. However, the optimal conditions under which exposing carcasses to optimize conservation outcomes are still limited. Here, we used camera traps throughout elevational and vegetational gradients to monitor the consumption of 48 deer carcasses over a study period of six years by evaluating 270,279 photographs resulting out of 15,373 trap nights. We detected 17 species visiting carcass deployments, including five endangered species. Our results show that large carcasses, the winter season, and a heterogeneous surrounding habitat enhanced the frequency of carcass visits and the species richness of scavenger assemblages. Contrary to our expectations, carcass species, condition (fresh/frozen), and provision schedule (continuous vs single exposure) did not influence scavenging frequency or diversity. The carcass visitation frequency increased with carcass mass and lower temperatures. The effect of large carcasses was especially pronounced for mesopredators and the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Lynx were not too influenced in its carrion acquisition by the season, but exclusively preferred remote habitats containing higher forest cover. Birds of prey, mesopredators, and top predators were also positively influenced by the visiting rate of ravens (Corvus corax), whereas no biotic or abiotic preferences were found for wild boars (Sus scrofa). This study provides evidence that any ungulate species of carrion, either in a fresh or in previously frozen condition, attracts a high diversity of scavengers especially during winter, thereby supporting earlier work that carcass provisions may support scavenger communities and endangered species.

Contribution of males to brood care can compensate for their food consumption from a shared resource.

The sharing of the same food source among parents and offspring can be a driver of the evolution of family life and parental care. However, if all family members desire the same meal, competitive situations can arise, especially if resource depletion is likely. When food is shared for reproduction and the raising of offspring, parents have to decide whether they should invest in self‐maintenance or in their offspring and it is not entirely clear how these two strategies are balanced. In the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, parents care for their offspring either bi‐ or uniparentally at a vertebrate carcass as the sole food source. The question of whether biparental care in this species offers the offspring a better environment for development compared with uniparental care has been the subject of some debate. We tested the hypothesis that male contribution to biparental brood care has a beneficial effect on offspring fitness but that this effect can be masked because the male also feeds from the shared resource. We show that a mouse carcass prepared by two Nicrophorus beetles is lighter compared with a carcass prepared by a single female beetle at the start of larval hatching and provisioning. This difference in carcass mass can influence offspring fitness when food availability is limited, supporting our hypothesis. Our results provide new insights into the possible evolutionary pathway of biparental care in this species of burying beetles.

М’ясна продуктивність молодняку овець різного походження

Meat quality and slaughter indices of sheep depend primarily on breed peculiarities and are connected with age, fatness, sex, feeding and keeping conditions. According to the pre-slaughter mass, slaughter mass and mass of paired carcass, crossbred animals exceed their pure-bred counterparts. Experimental work was сonducted at Terra Rich LLC in the Pologivskyi district of Zaporizhia region. Tupping rams (Rom) and Hisar (H) were used on ewes of the Romanivska breed. Two groups of cowslip were formed: a control from purebred animals of the Romanivska breed (Rm × Rm) and experimental crossbreed with Hisar (Rm × H). Control slaughter of young rams was performed in accordance with the method of estimating the slaughtering performance (meet productivity) of sheep at 8 months of age. The morphological composition of the carcasses was determined by the results of the deboned half-carcass after 24-hour cooling to determine the dressing percentage of pulp, bones and fat. The chemical composition was determined in the average meat sample, in the longest muscle of the back (mus. longissimus dorsi) the amount of intramuscular fat was determined with the subsequent caloricity count of the meat. Crossbreed animals had higher indices of productivity than the pure-bred born in the same year of the Romanivska breed. The pre-slaughter live weight of crossbreed animals was greater by 29.2 %; slaughter weight – by39.7 %. Dressing percentage of the crossbreed animals was 47.4 %, and in pure-breds – 43.8 %. The crossbreed animals had absolute preference of varietal cuts: meat of the first сlass – 94.57 %, of the second – 5.43 %, in purebreds – 91.60 and 8.40 %, respectively. The preference for purebred Romanivska sheep on the caloricity of the muscle tissue was 8.7 %. In carcasses of crossbreed young animals, the relative mass of muscle tissue was 78.8 %, bones – 21.2%, versus 73.3% and 26.7 %, respectively, in purebred counterparts. The pulpiness ratio for crossbreed young rams was 3.7 and for purebred young rams was only 2.7. The positive effect of crossbreeding on the meat productivity of young animals has been established. Crossing the ewes of the Romanivska breed with the tupping rams of the Hisar breed can be successfully used in commercial sheep raisings.

МОРФОФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА И АЛЛОМЕТРИЧЕСКИЙ РОСТ МЫШЦ ОВЕЦ С РАЗНОЙ НАПРАВЛЕННОСТЬЮ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТИ

The paper deals with some issues related to the meat productivity development of three breeds of sheep of different production purposes: Kuibyshev (meat-wool), Romanov (wool skin) and Texel (meat). Most studies on meat productivity are based on determining the carcass composition: all the muscles, bones, and fat tissue. It should be taken into account that the muscles that form the animal’s body differ in their internal structure depending on the location and function. Morphofunctional classification is based on a number of structural and biochemical parameters of muscles (tissue ratio, diameter of muscle fibers, amino acid composition, etc.). The authors have studied and analyzed 11 dynamic (type I), 8 statodynamic, 1 semistatodynamic and 1 statodynamic muscles. The Romanov lambs are of the smallest weight (2820 g), which affected their subsequent growing. At the age of 4 months, the pre-slaughter weight of the Romanov rams is lower than that of their Kuibyshev and Texel counterparts by 32.4 and 26.5%, respectively. The relative mass of carcass and muscle increases most significantly in the Texel meat breed – by 35.1 and 31.1% (36.61%),despite intensive fat accumulation (13.25%). This does not negatively affect the ratio of total muscle and bone mass, which is the highest in the meat breed (4.7:1) and is higher than in other breeds.

Productive traits of sheep of different genotypes

The effect of industrial crossbreeding on the productive qualities of purebred Tsigai and Romanov sheep breeds was investigated. The following indicators were studied: the survival of the young for the period from birth to their weaning; dynamics of live weight of sheep and goats in the corresponding age periods (at birth, at 2-, 4-, 6,5-month age); meat productivity; wool productivity and sheepskin quality. The lambs and suckers were found to have live weight at birth of 3.9 and 4.2 kg respectively, which is 8.3 and 7.6 % higher than in purebred lambs. The difference in live weight of local and purebred lambs is statistically significant (P&gt;0,999).The average daily growth for the whole period in the local sheep was 192 g, in the fossa 171 g, which is 4.3 and 4.9 % respectively more than in purebred peers. It is proved that the local young is characterized by better viability: the preservation of lambs to beating was 132.2 % against 115.3 % in purebreds. It was studied that the mass of chilled carcass in purebred lambs was 14.14 kg, and in domestic 14.3% more (P&gt;0,999). It was investigated that animals in the experimental group had an average of 12.49 kg of flesh in the carcass, which is 77.3 % by weight of the carcass. In purebred lambs these figures are respectively 10.52 kg or 74.4 %. The difference in the pulp mass between the carcasses of the study groups was 1.97 kg or 18.7% (P&gt;0.999). The fat content of the mixture was superior to pure-bred animals, resulting in a higher calorie content of 8.34 %. Proven lambs during fattening were shown to have a greater increase in live weight compared to purebred by 13.6%. At the same time, they consumed less feed units by 4.7 %. In terms of the original dirty wool, the highest indices were in the local brightnesses. Along with this, they also outperformed purebred animals by 2.48 kg, or 10.7%. It should be noted that in Romanov sheep, as a rule, fluff is exaggerated. This trend is preserved in the received mixes. The difference in the length of the down and the bones was 32.2 % (P&gt;0,999). It is noted that the area of sheep sheep of the experimental group was more control by 7.4 % (P&gt;0.95) and amounted to 84.0 dm2. The same pattern was observed in the area of exposed sheepskin. Key words: wool, lamb, sheepskin, live weight, viability, lambs, Romanov breed, Tsigai breed.

Influence of methionine from different sources on productivity traits of young rabbits

The article presents the research results of the compound feed with different methionine sources and its effect on live weight, slaughter rates, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, chemical and amino acid composition of the longest back muscle, blood morphological rates of young rabbits. The results of the study indicate that the rabbit live weight of the 2nd experimental group, which has got to the compound feed with synthetic LM at the age of 70, 77 and 84 days significantly exceeds the control group by 2.1, 2.5, 2.6% and (P&lt;0.01) respectively. Feeding on the compound feed with the addition of L methionine contributes an increase in the indwelling mass by 2.7 (P&lt;0.05). The kidney carcass mass increases by 5.6% (p &lt;0.05), the liver mass – by 10.6% and the longest back muscle mass – by 0.1%. The slaughter yield is higher in the second group than in the control group. In the third experimental group is higher by 2.7 2.8% respectively. . The young rabbits consuming the ration with LM have higher digestibility indices than control group. The second group exceeds the control by 0.3, 0.3, 0.4, 0.7 and 0.1%, respectively with the digestibility of organic matter, protein, fat, fiber. The nitrogen balance data analysis shows that nitrogen has been fed by 0.4 g or 0.8% more in the second group than in the control group. The emptied feces have less nitrogen by 0.01 g or 0.8% in the second group and by 0.01 g or 0.8% less than in the control group. The compound feed with the addition of LM affectes the chemical composition of the longest rabbit back muscle. There is more protein by 0.03%. in the muscles of the second experimental group than in the control sample. The young rabbits of the second experimental group have a higher content of amino acids in the muscles and they outperforme the control analogues of the third experimental group by 1.9 and 4.2% respectively. The rabbits feeding on LM fodder have higher morphological blood rate. Analyzing the above, we can conclude that the feed with methionine content of 0.41% and its source in the form of L methionine, probably improves the performance of young rabbit meat productivity. Key words: rabbits, methionine, live weight, compound feed, slaughter output, digestibility, nitrogen balance, amino acid, morphology.

Effects of Dietary Sclerocarya Birrea Caffra (Marula) Nut Meal on the Growth Performance and Viscera Macromorphometry of Broiler Japanese Quail

SUMMARY In sub-Saharan Africa, soybean production fails to meet soyabean meal (SBM) requirements of the poultry feed industry hence the need to search and develop alternatives for the industry. Indigenous tree seeds are potential dietary protein sources in feeds. Chemical and in vivo studies have demonstrated the potential of Marula nut meal (MNM) as a dietary protein source in broiler chicken feeds. The gastrointestinal (GIT) microbiota composition of quail differ from that of chicken, thus this study evaluated MNM's potential to substitute SBM on the growth performance, feed economy, and viscera macro-morphometry of broiler Japanese quail. Two hundred 7-day old quail chicks were randomly allocated to and fed the grower and finisher diets for 4 and 2 weeks, respectively. The MNM substituted SBM on a CP basis at 0%, 25%, 50% 75% and 100% for diets 1 through to 5, respectively. Body mass and feed intake (FI) were determined. Body mass gain (BMG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FRC) were computed. On slaughter, feathers were hand-plucked, viscera dissected out and their mass and length (where relevant) and empty carcass mass determined. Dietary MNM had no effect (P > 0.05) on terminal body mass, BMG, ADG, FI and FCR and on the empty carcass mass of the quail. Relative to body mass, caeca from quail fed diet 3 were heavier (P

A Diet Rich in Fish Oil and Leucine Ameliorates Hypercalcemia in Tumour-Induced Cachectic Mice

Background: Dietary supplementation with leucine and fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has previously been shown to reduce cachexia-related outcomes in C26 tumour-bearing mice. To further explore associated processes and mechanisms we investigated changes in plasma Ca2+ levels, the involvement of parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP), and its possible interactions with cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Methods: CD2F1 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with C26 adenocarcinoma cells or sham treated and divided in: (1) controls, (2) tumour-bearing controls, and (3) tumour-bearing receiving experimental diets. After 20 days, body and organ masses and total plasma Ca2+ levels were determined. Furthermore, effects of DHA, EPA and leucine on production of PTHrP were studied in cultured C26 cells. Results: The combination of leucine and fish oil reduced tumour-associated hypercalcemia. Plasma Ca2+ levels negatively correlated with carcass mass and multiple organ masses. DHA was able to reduce PTHrP production by C26 cells in vitro. Results indicate that this effect occurred independently of COX-2 inhibition. Conclusion: Our results suggest that cancer-related hypercalcemia may be ameliorated by a nutritional intervention rich in leucine and fish oil. The effect of fish oil possibly relates to a DHA-induced reduction of PTHrP excretion by the tumour.

Effect of Aqueous Terminalia sericea Leaf Extract on Visceral Obesity in Fructose-fed Wistar Rats

ABSTRACTTerminalia sericea (T. sericea) leaf aqueous extracts were evaluated for their potential to protect against dietary fructose-induced metabolic derangements in rats in growing stage, mimicking children-fed diets containing fructose. Thirty, 21-days-old male Wistar rat pups were randomly allocated and administered in five treatment regimens: group I – plain gelatine cubes (PGC) + plain drinking water (PW), group II – PGC + 12% fructose solution (FS) as drinking fluid, group III – 100 mg Kg−1 body mass fenofibrate in gelatine cube (FGC) + FS, group IV – 100 mg Kg−1 body mass of T. sericea in gelatine cube (LGC) + FS, and group V – 400 mg Kg−1 body mass of T. sericea in gelatine cube (HGC) + FS. After 12 weeks, the rats were subjected to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Two days later, blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol concentrations were determined. The rats were then euthanized, and plasma harvested for insulin determination. Visceral and epididymal fat and empty carcass masses were determined. Dietary fructose (FS) increased triglyceride concentration, triglyceride-glucose index, and visceral fat. The high dose T. sericea extract lowered FS-induced visceral obesity by 25%.Abbreviations: BM: Body mass; FGC: Fenofibrate in gelatine cube; FS: 12% fructose solution; HGC: High dose aqueous Terminalia sericea leaf extract in gelatine cube; HED: human equivalent dose; HOMA-IR: Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance; LGC: Low dose aqueous Terminalia sericea leaf extract in gelatine cube; MetS: Metabolic syndrome; OGTT: Oral glucose tolerance test; PGC: Plain gelatine cube; PW: Plain drinking water; TLr: Relative to tibia length; TyG: Triglyceride-glucose index

Growth performance and carcass characteristics of south african mutton merino fed diets with different levels of macadamia oil cake or baobab seed cake

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing 10% or 15% of baobab seed cake (BSC) or macadamia oil cake (MOC) in fattening diets for lambs on feed intake, growth performance and carcass characteristics. Thirty-two lambs aged between 150 and 180 days were randomly allocated to 4 diets (10% MOC; 15% MOC; 10% BSC and 15% BSC diets) in an experiment arranged as a 2x2 factorial design and sex as a block. The results showed that there were significant protein source and inclusion level interactions on average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and total weight gain, warm and cold carcass mass. Males were significantly superior in all parameters except for feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage and rib-eye area. It was concluded that 10% MOC and 15% BSC can be incorporated in diets for fattening of growing South African Mutton Merino lambs without compromising on their growth performance and carcass characteristics.

Community reestablishment and poor body conditions of small mammal assemblages in subtropical afforested ecosystems

Afforestation is one of the high-efficiency practices for the restoration of degraded forest ecosystems and has been increasingly used worldwide. It is crucial to determine the restoration status of wildlife in afforested forests to effectively monitor biodiversity conservation and the self-sustainability of forest ecosystems, as well as to effectively guide the implementation of afforestation projects in the future. China has the largest area of man-made forests around the world, but the effects of the restoration efforts on the faunal diversity in artificial woodlands are unclear. Here, we evaluated the effects of afforestation practices on small mammals in two types of planted forests: Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi, an introduced species) and China Armand pine (Pinus armandii, a native species) plantations, and two reference forests: young- and old-growth forests, at the community, population, and individual levels. The diversity of small mammals did not differ significantly among the four forest types and the population densities of small mammals in two plantations were between the young- and old-growth forests. Collectively, our findings indicated that small mammal assemblages had reestablished in afforested forests. Four body condition indices were measured in the Chinese white-bellied rat (Niviventer confucianus), a predominant species, and differences were found between afforested and reference forests. Chinese white-bellied rats had the lowest body masses and highest endoparasite loads in the Japanese larch planted forest, while body length or carcass mass did not differ among the four forest types. In comparison, study rats had slightly lower body masses and lower endoparasite loads in the China Armand pine planted forest than reference forests. These findings indicated that small mammals inhabiting both types of afforested forests had poor body conditions but these trends were worse in the Japanese larch planted forest, i.e., the introduced species. Given that afforestation is a widespread practice for global forest landscape restoration, we propose two suggestions to guide afforestation efforts and the subsequent management thereof: (1) native species rather than exotic species are preferable for use in afforestation projects, and (2) wildlife diversity in afforested forests should be considered when monitoring the restoration and management of degraded forest ecosystems.

MEAT PRODUCTIVITY OF CROSSBRED LAMBS OF VARIOUS GENOTYPES

The article presents the results of studies of meat productivity of crossbred lambs ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer of the first generation and ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi (82.5%) of the blood volume of the Awassi breed. At the first stage were studied, the fattening qualities (growth and development of crossbred lambs and sheep and the second stage meat productivity of lambs carcass output and meat content.&#x0D; The studies were conducted on the first-generation of crossbred lambs and sheep, obtained from crossing ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer, on the farm of Experimental-Technological Station “Maksimovka” and at crossbreeding ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi, with blood share of Avassi breed 82.5% obtained on the farm “Tsurcanu Andrei”. The cultivation of local lambs, of both genotypes, was carried out by the traditional method for the conditions of the republic – sharing with the uterus from birth to beating.&#x0D; It is set the superiority of crossbred lambs ♀Karakul x ♂Avassi in comparison with peers ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer by live weight at birth by 0.72 kg, (P ≤ 0.01), when beating by 6.88 kg, (P ≤ 0,01 ), and at statement on experience by 3.92 kg or 14.9%. Also, for the 62 days of the experimental period (fattening), the gross weight gain at hybrids ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi) was higher by 3.0 kg (17.4%). The same tendency is and at sheep for live weight at birth, at beating and at the beginning of the experiment by 0.8 kg (18.1%), 3.1 kg (14.6%), and the live weight at the end of the experiment and gross weight gain is higher at sheep of ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer by 0.98 kg (3.9%) and 1.58 kg (4.2%) and 2.56 kg (23.0%).&#x0D; In accordance with the gender, the gross weight gain of the lambs is higher in accordance to the sheep in both variants. Thus, at the ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi crossbreed, the gross weight at labms is higher by 9.14 kg and in the ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer – by 13.68 kg.&#x0D; Calculated physique indices indicate that lambs ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer compared to their peers ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi stretchiness index is 5.55% more, transverse by 2.86%, massiveness by 11.0% and consistency by 3.62%, and the indices of the thoracic and bony, are lower by 0.88 and 1.77%, respectively. There are also a number of differences at sheep, but less in quantitative terms. At crossbred sheep of the ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer genotype, the stretch index is by 3.14% more, transverse by 0.28%, massiveness by 3.68%, and breast indexes, crush index and bony index are less respectively by 5.89% (P ≤ 0.05), 0.32% and 0.21%.&#x0D; According to meat qualities of crossbred sheep, at genotype ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer compared to ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi crossbred, the indices are better. The mass of double carcass is by 3.4 kg more (17.1%), the mass of chilled carcass is 3.23 kg (17.3%), slaughter weight by 3.29 kg (17.3%), respectively, and the amount of meat in the half carcass is 0.796 kg more, and as a result, the coefficient of meatiness is higher by 0.46 units.&#x0D; On the chemical composition of meat at lambs ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi and ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer there is no significant difference in indicators. At the same time, it is noted a slightly higher content of fat and protein in meat (average sample) of cross-bred lambs of the ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi genotype in relation to the same indicators of ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer hybrids.&#x0D; The carcasses received from the lambs of both groups were measured and the corresponding indices were calculated.&#x0D; The carcass indices characterizing the shape and reflecting their quality showed that the carcass index of the crossbred lambs of the ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer genotype was significantly higher by 5.05% (P ≤ 0,001) in relation to the indicator obtained from the cross ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi. A similar trend was noted in the ham index (higher by 0.27), in carcass compactness by 7.84%, in ham development by 6.64%, in chest depth by 2.41% (P ≤ 0.05) and proportionality of ham by 0.4%. An exception is the carcass uniformity index, which at crossbred lambs ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer is less by 0.356%.

Meat Yield of Lambs of Serbian “Improved Pirot Sheeps” Depending on Slaughter Results

Lambs of “improved Pirot sheep”, divided into three groups (6 male and 6 female in each group). The first group of lambs was fattened for 60 days, the second 120 and the third 180 days. At the end of the fattening, the lamb is slaughtered by the usual technique. Objective of this research was measurement of body mass prior to slaughtering, slaughter weight and to determine the meat yield (dressing percentage) depending on the length of the fattening and gender of the lamb. With increasing of fattening weights and fattening time, the yield of meat decreases, because the weight of the offal increases. Between all three groups for male and female lambs in a body mass before slaughtering, in a mass of a warm carcass with head and offal, in a body mass of a cold carcass with head and offal, in a body mass of a cold carcass without a head and offal there is a significant difference on the level (Р<0,001). In a dressing percentage of a warm carcass with head and offal, a dressing percentage of a cold carcass with head and offal, as well as a dressing percentage of a cold carcass without head and offal, for male and female lambs, there are a significant difference between the first and the second and the first and the third group levels (P<0.001). The results of examination the slaughtering characteristics show that female lambs of the first group achieved significant (P<0.05) higher yield of meat, compared to male lambs. Differences in other examined properties are not statistically significant. In the second group, the male lambs achieved higher body mass before slauthering and slaughter mass of female lambs (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in the yield of meat. In the third group, male lambs achieved higher body mass before slauthering and slaughter mass, but female achieved higher yield of meat (P<0.05).