Decrease In Carcass Weight Research Articles

The Impact of Liver Abscesses on Performance and Carcass Traits in Beef Cattle: A Meta-Analysis Study

The use of high-grain diets in feedlots is associated with the development of acidosis and ruminitis, which can lead to the occurrence of liver abscesses (LAs). However, the effect of LA on carcass traits is not well known. This study assessed the effects of LA on the performance and carcass traits of beef cattle. Nine peer-reviewed publications with forty-seven treatment means were included in the data set. The effects of the LA were evaluated by examining the weighted mean difference (WMD) between LA (animal with LA) and control treatment (animal without LA). Heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression, followed by a subgroup analysis of the scores and percentages of liver abscess and concentrate level in the feedlot diet. Animals affected by LA showed a reduction in dry matter intake (−1.03%) and feed efficiency (−1.82%). Animals with an LA score of “A” (one or two small abscesses) exhibited a decrease in carcass weight (WMD = 3.41 kg; p = 0.034) and ribeye area (WMD = −1.37 cm2; p = 0.019). When assessing the impact of LA on carcass traits, the most reliable finding indicates a 1.21% reduction in the ribeye area, with no adverse effects observed on subcutaneous fat thickness or the marbling score in the carcass.

Effect of glycolysis on water holding capacity during postmortem aging of Jersey cattle-yak meat.

Postmortem muscle moisture loss leads to a decrease in carcass weight and can adversely impact overall meat quality. Therefore, it is critical to investigate water holding capacity (WHC) to enhance meat quality. Current research has primarily focused on examining the correlation between signaling molecules and meat quality in relation to the glycolysis effect on muscle WHC. But there exists a significant knowledge gap regarding the mechanism of WHC in Jersey cattle-yak meat. Jersey cattle-yak meat pH decreased and then increased during postmortem aging. Lactate content, cooking loss, pressing loss, drip loss and centrifuging loss of Jersey cattle-yak meat increased and then decreased during postmortem aging. The glycogen content of Jersey cattle-yak meat was significantly higher than that of yak meat at 6-120 h, being 8.40% higher than that of yak meat at 120 h. The activity of key glycolytic enzymes hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK), phosphofructokinase (PFK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in Jersey cattle-yak meat was lower than that in yak meat. Correlation analysis showed that Jersey cattle-yak meat WHC was positively correlated with the activity of HK, PK, PFK and LDH. The WHC of Jersey cattle-yak meat was higher than that of Gannan yak meat, and it was significantly positively correlated with the activity of key enzymes of the glycolytic signaling pathway. Therefore, the glycolysis rate can be reduced by inhibiting enzyme activity to improve Jersey cattle-yak meat WHC and meat quality. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

201 Impact of Steam-Flaked Rye Fed in Combination with Steam-Flaked Corn on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Yearling Steers

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing inclusions of steam-flaked hybrid rye (SFR) replacing steam-flaked corn (SFC) in finishing diets on cattle performance and carcass quality. Rye was grown as one hybrid and processed at a single feedyard in eastern Nebraska (14.5 kg/bu for SFR, 2.55 ± 0.94 mm average particle size). Crossbred yearling steers (n = 400, initial BW = 400 ± 24 kg) were used in a randomized block design (blocked by BW and source), stratified, and assigned randomly to pen (n = 40), and pen assigned randomly to treatment. Four treatments were evaluated, a control with no SFR (0%), and 3 inclusions of SFR where the rye replaced 25%, 50%, or 100% of the SFC in the diet (0%, 15.4%, 30.8%, and 60% SFR respectively). A linear decrease in carcass weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed (G:F) was observed as SFR inclusion increased in the diet (P ≤ 0.01). Intake decreased by 1.2 kg/d as SFR increased from 0 to 100% of the grain inclusion. A 14.5% reduction in ADG and 6.2% decrease in G:F was observed as SFR replaced SFC, which lead to decreases in calculated NEm and NEg dietary energy values based on performance. Longissimus muscle area (P ≤ 0.01), 12th rib fat (P ≤ 0.03), and marbling score (P ≤ 0.01) decreased linearly with increasing rye inclusion. Calculated yield grade did not differ among treatments (P = 0.16). These data suggest no evidence of an associative effect for blending SFR with SFC. Based on dietary energy calculated using performance, SFR has approximately 92% the energy value of steam-flaked corn. Feeding flaked rye grain decreased intake, gain and feed efficiency suggesting SFR contains less energy than steam-flaked corn.

Production Significance of Bovine Respiratory Disease Lesions in Slaughtered Beef Cattle.

Simple SummaryRespiratory diseases are a common health and economic problem in beef cattle production. Bovine respiratory syndrome, by which these processes are known, needs to be studied in different aspects. Therefore, this study has tried to understand the impact on the production of this disease through the study of the post-mortem lesions observed in clinically healthy beef animals and its associated factors for the management system, age and gender. It was found that there is a high percentage of subclinical pneumonia, both chronic and acute fibrinous, with different grade expanse. The animals that showed lesions experienced a lower average carcass weight than those without lesions. Furthermore, the mixed and extensive production system, as well as young animals, are associated with a greater probability of presenting pneumonic lesions. The bacterial agents were only identified in the acute fibrinous pneumonia. This study reflects the high prevalence of animals arriving at the slaughterhouse that suffer or have suffered respiratory disease and can serve as herd monitoring to adopt the necessary health measures to avoid economic losses.Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is still a serious concern in feedlots, where it exerts a negative effect on farm productivity. There is a shortage of studies focused on the evaluation of BRD-associated lesions at the slaughterhouse in clinically healthy animals. The objective of this work was to investigate the prevalence and type of subclinical pneumonic lesions in slaughtered beef cattle, according to the age range and management system, and its impact on carcass weight. A total of 1101 beef cattle intended for human consumption were examined at slaughter. Information on age, sex, management system and carcass weight was recorded. The presence and type of pneumonia were evaluated according to gross and microscopic findings and etiological agents by PCR. Lung pneumonic lesions appeared in 17.9% of animals and were predominant among veal calves. According to the type, chronic catarrhal pneumonia prevailed in the majority of animals, and mixed and extensively reared cattle were more likely to suffer acute fibrinous pneumonia. The presence of pneumonic lesions was associated with a significant decrease in carcass weight that had more of an impact in veal male calves coming from intensive systems. Bacterial infections were the predominant infectious agent and the only cause of acute fibrinous pneumonia, while viruses were infrequent and only found in lesions with chronic catarrhal pneumonia. This study shows the importance of BRD in beef feedlots upon production values and points out the feasibility of slaughterhouse assessment of pneumonia as a method for the evaluation of BRD significance.

The effect of using two different concentration of Ground Olive leaves on production traits of male Rabbits

The present work was designed to demonstrate the effect of two different concentration of Olive leaves ( 5% and 10%) in diet on production traits in male rabbits .Twenty one male rabbits with body weight average 1.1 – 1.3 kg and 4-5 months age were bought from Local Markets, and they were divided randomly into three equal groups with equal weight , put in metal cages were fed on concentrate pellets diet with green roughage ,The male rabbits were divided to three equal groups and by 7 animals / group with equal weights .The 1st group (T1) (control group)was offered drinking water and fed concentrate pellets without ground olive leaves , the 2nd one (T2) (5% olive leaves)offered drinking water and fed concentrate pellets with 5% ground olive leaves /diet , while the 3rd one (T3) (10% olive leaves)offered drinking water and fed concentrate pellets with 10 % ground olive leaves /diet and the nutrition were continue for 8 weeks . Animals were weight every week to see weekly weight gain and measured of some production traits such as total weight gain, feed consumption rate and the coefficient of food conversion,slaughtered all animals of groups to study some carcass characteristics which include, hot and cold carcass weight, and percentage of edible and non-edible and external parts and dressing and different carcass cuts. The results showed significant decrease (P<0.05)for the final weight , Body weight gain , relative growth rate , feed intake and coefficient of feed conversion in T2 , T3 in compare with T1 control group .While the observed significant (P<0.05) decrease in carcass weight, dressing out percentage , percentage of fat around viscera and percentage of fat on shoulder in T2 ,T3 group in compare with T1 and significant raising in carcass cuts (shoulder , Cotton) in T2,T3 in compare with T1.Notied that there was arithmetic difference in all groups in (Cold carcass weight , Internal edible visceral and Internal non – edible visceral and External visceral percentage and carcass cuts such as ribs and chest).the results conclude that the addition of olive leaf by 5% or 10% in the diets of rabbits may have contributed to the improvement of carcass quality and reduce the level of fat on the viscera or shoulders in the carcasses and reduce feed costs where possible bringing it about place of alfa alfa economic as interest and we recommend using the highest levels may be 15% or 20% of olive leaves in rabbits diets due to the economic feasibility and lack of toxicity.

Effect of Vitamin C, Red Pepper and Oak Leaves on Physiological and Productive Performance of Quail

ABSTRACT: The current study was conducted on the animal production college of agriculture and forestry-University of Duhok, in order to investigate the effect of ration supplementation with vitamin C, red pepper (RP) and oak leaves (OL) on some physiological, reproductive and productive parameters of quail. Four hundred eighty quail birds (7 days) were divided into four groups with three replicates / group (40 birds/replicate, the groups were treated from the age of 7 days till the age of 49 days as follows: T1 (control): Reread on standard ration, T2: Reread on standard ration supplemented with vitamin C(300mg /kg ration). T3: Reread on standard ration supplemented with red pepper crush (5g/kg ration). T4: Reread on standard ration supplemented with oak leaves crush (10g/kg ration).The results of the current study revealed the following: Significant increase in live body weight (LBW) and body weight gain (BWG) of treatment as compared with control, significant decrease in feed consumption (FC) in vit. C group as compared with control, a significant improvement feed conversion ratio (FCR) in OL group as compared with control and in RP and vit. C groups as compared with OL group, a significant decrease in carcass weight of RP group as compared with control and OL groups and in heart relative weight as compared with vit. C group. Significant increase in mean egg weight, hen day (HD) % and egg mass/hen in OL group as compared with control and in as compared with other treatments. Significant increase in serum total protein (TP) and globulin in OL group as compared with vit. C group and a significant decrease in serum albumin in RP group as compared with control of male quail and a significant decrease in serum TP, globulin, albumin and TG in all groups as compared with control of female quail, a significant decrease in Cholesterol in OL group compared with control and in glucose as compared with RP and vit. C groups. Significant improvement in Lymphocyt (L)%, Heterophil (H)% and stress index in OL group of female quail and in L% and in H% in vit. C group of male quail significant improvement in yolk index in OL group and in shell membrane thickness in control group. Key words : Oak leaves, Quail, Production, Red pepper and Vitamin C

Performance and carcass characteristics of young cattle fed with soybean meal treated with tannins

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with soybean meal treated with tannin (SBMT) on the intake, digestibility, performance and characteristics of the carcasses of young cattle fed a high-concentrate diet. Forty-two Nellore bulls with body weight of 244.5 ± 4.99 kg were used. Diets had the inclusion of 7.5% SBM, with a proportion of that SBM (0, 33, 66 or 100%) replaced for SBMT; and other treatment (SBMT + urea) just with 2.5% of SBM which was treated with tannins. Seven animals were randomly selected and slaughtered, and the remaining animals were distributed on treatments and remained for 112 days. After, all animals were slaughtered. There was a linear decline in dry matter intake (P = 0.026) when SBM was replaced with SBMT. No decrease in carcass weight (P > 0.05) was observed. The efficiency of carcass weight gain showed a quadratic function effect (P = 0.049). There were changes in carcass gain composition when SBMT was added (P < 0.05), with an increase in muscle and reduction in fat deposition. The use of SBMT in place of SBM causes changes in body gain composition in animals and reduces DM intake by the animals, achieving a better feed conversion efficiency.

Feeding Brassica juncea or Brassica napus canola meal at increasing dietary inclusions to growing-finishing gilts and barrows

Novel Brassica (B.) juncea has a thinner seed coat and therefore lower fibre content than conventional B. napus canola meal (CM) and could potentially be fed at greater dietary inclusions to pigs. In a 2×2×3 factorial arrangement, 528 barrows and 528 gilts [33.6kg body weight] housed in 48 pens (22 barrows or gilts) were fed either B. juncea or B. napus CM at 100, 200 or 300g/kg of diet with up to 200g/kg wheat DDGS to slaughter weight (120kg). Compared with B. napus, B. juncea CM had 32g/kg greater CP, 12g/kg lower crude fat, 86g/kg lower ADF, and 91g/kg lower NDF content. However, aliphatic glucosinolate content was 2.7 times greater in B. juncea (11.76μmol/g) than B. napus CM (4.34μmol/g). For the entire trial (d 0–72), daily weight gain (ADG) was not affected by canola species, but feed disappearance (ADFI) was 45g/d lower (P=0.06) and feed efficiency 7g/g greater (P<0.05) for pigs fed B. juncea than B. napus CM. Carcass traits were not affected by canola species except dressing, which was 1% lower (P<0.05) for pigs fed B. juncea than B. napus CM. For the entire trial, increasing CM inclusion from 100 to 300g/kg of diet decreased ADFI (P<0.001) by 184g/d, decreased ADG by 32g/d (P<0.05), but increased feed efficiency (P<0.001) by 14g/g. Dietary CM inclusion level did not affect farm ship live weight to slaughter, carcass backfat thickness, lean yield, or index. Nonetheless, carcass weight was 0.9kg lower (P<0.05), dressing was 1% lower (P<0.001), loin depth was 1.3mm lower (P<0.01), and days to slaughter was 2.3 days greater for pigs fed 300 compared with those fed 100g CM/kg diet. In conclusion, growing-finishing pigs can be fed diets including B. juncea CM the same as conventional B. napus CM without decreasing growth performance or carcass traits. Feeding growing-finishing pigs a diet with 300 vs. 200 or 100g/kg CM with up to 200g/kg of wheat DDGS resulted in decreased weight gain and a minor decrease in carcass weight, dressing and loin depth, but increased feed efficiency.

The effect of journey time and stocking density during transport on carcass and meat quality in rabbits

Four hundred and fifty hybrid commercial rabbits (half males and half females) at the end of their productive cycle (82 days old) were transported in cages (98 × 52 × 24 cm, length × width × height) at high or low density (75.5 or 49.0 kg/m 2 – 15 or 10 animals per cage) on an uncovered truck for 1, 2 or 4 h. Live weight before and after transport as well as slaughter data were recorded for each rabbit. A subset of 180 carcasses were evaluated for meat quality on the basis of meat pH, colour (CIELab system), cooking loss, drip loss and shear force. As a representative of the whole carcass muscle/bone ratio, the left hind leg was separated, dissected and its meat analysed in order to determine its water, protein, ash and lipid content. It was found that a longer journey significantly increases the live weight losses (3.3% vs. 2.0% vs. 1.6% for 4, 2 or 1 h, respectively; P < 0.001), as a result not only of urine and fecal losses, but also of a decrease in carcass weight ( P < 0.01) during transport. Ultimate pH (pH u) was higher and pH drop lower in rabbits transported for 4 h compared to those transported for 2 h ( P < 0.05). Moreover, the meat from animals that had undergone the longest journey was more purple-red ( P < 0.05), darker ( P < 0.0001), and firmer when raw and showed less cooking loss than meat from those that underwent shorter journeys. Transport density did not influence any of the considered parameters and there was no interaction between transport time and density.

Increased leptin resistance as rats grow to maturity.

Three or eight-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were treated intracerebroventricularly (ICV) with 5 microg of rat leptin/d for 5 days to determine the effect of age on leptin's actions in ingestive behavior, adipose tissue cellularity, organ weights, body composition, and blood metabolite profile. Effects of leptin on food intake were greater in young immature rats (22.0 vs. 5.7 g/d) than in mature rats (17.4 vs. 9.3 g/d) with a leptin x age interaction (P< 0.01). Leptin results in body weight loss (P < 0.001) by 19% and 9% in young and mature rats, respectively. Water intake was reduced by leptin treatment only in young animals (P< 0.001). The decrease in carcass weight by leptin treatment (P < 0.001) was observed in both young (22%) and mature rats (9%). Leptin treatment greatly reduced retroperitoneal (0.82 vs. 0.11 g, P < 0.05) and epididymal fat weight (1.90 vs. 0.48 g, P < 0.003), associated with a reduction in total adipocyte cell number, DNA content, and cellular volume in young rats; however, there were no effects of leptin in the mature rats. In addition, young rats also displayed a 60% loss of carcass lipid content. An increase in serum fatty acid levels by leptin treatment was observed also only in young rats (P< 0.001). An interaction of leptin by age that was observed for the reduction of serum glucose levels by leptin treatment (P < 0.04) further indicated that mature rats showed a leptin insensitivity compared to young rats. In summary, the data suggest that normal rats become resistant to leptin as they age.

Broiler Response to Energy or Energy and Protein Dilution in the Finisher Diet

Two experiments were carried out with male broiler chickens in which diets from 35 to 49 d of age were diluted by oat hulls and sand. In one experiment only energy was diluted; in the second experiment, both energy and protein (amino acid) levels were affected. Each diet was tested with four replicate floor pens each containing 25 1-d-old birds. All birds received a standard starter diet to 16 d and then grower diet to 35 d.In Experiment 1, dilution of only energy resulted in a significant linear (P < 0.01) reduction in body weight at 42 d, although there was growth compensation after this time such that all birds weighed the same at 49 d. Diet energy dilution resulted in increased feed intake, although energy intake was not maintained (P < 0.01). Diet energy dilution generally had little effect on carcass weight or yield of breast meat, although there was less abdominal fat (P < 0.01). In Experiment 2, dilution of both energy and protein had a comparable effect on growth rate as described in Experiment 1; however, in this study there was a linear decrease in carcass weight and breast meat yield as the diet was diluted. These results suggest that the male broiler chicken can grow quite well on very low energy diets but that a period of at least 7 d is required for adjustment to feed intake. Even with compensatory increase in feed intake, however, the bird is unable to maintain its energy intake when fed such diluted diets.

Comparison of feedlot and carcass characteristics of Angus, Hereford, Brahman, Charolais, and Gelbvieh crossbred steers (1992)

Feedlot performance of 207 steers with various percentages of Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Brahman, and Gelbvieh breeding were compared at a constant 1) days fed, 2) adjusted carcass backfat, and 3) slaughter weight. As the percentage of Angus, Hereford, or Brahman increased, growth rate decreased, whereas increasing the percentage of Charolais increased growth rate. Increasing the percentage of Gelbvieh increased weaning weight but had little effect on post-weaning gains. Increasing percentage of Charolais increased feed conversion efficiency, whereas the other breeds were similar, except that at a constant slaughter weight, greater percentage of Hereford improved feed conversion efficiency. Increasing the percentage of Charolais increased carcass weight and ribeye area and decreased yield grade, but marbling was not different from that of Angus. An increase in percentage of Hereford caused a decrease in carcass weight, ribeye area, marbling, and quality grade. Increasing percentage of Angus decreased carcass weight and ribeye area but increased marbling and quality grade. Increasing percentage of Brahman caused the greatest reduction of marbling and quality grade of any breed. Increasing the percentage Gelbvieh breeding resulted in increased ribeye area and decreased marbling at constant days fed and slaughter weight.

Ability of a benign tumor to decrease spontaneous food intake and body weight in rats.

Malignant tumors induce anorexia and decrease spontaneous food intake and weight loss. Whether these effects are in part due to the tumor's physical size was investigated by inducing a benign cystic tumor mass with carrageenan in rats and then studying them for 21 days. Forty-two control rats were given subcutaneous injection of 3 ml of normal saline. Fifty-six study rats were given 3 ml of a 1.5% carrageenan solution subcutaneously, both in the right flank. Daily spontaneous food intake, body weight, and tumor weight were measured. Eight study and six control rats were randomly sacrificed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21. Blood was obtained by cardiac puncture for albumin determination, and the tumor, carcass, liver, and spleen were removed and weighed. Tumor and tissue samples were histologically examined. All rats injected with carrageenan developed a benign cystic tumor mass. Early cystic wall consisted mainly of foamy macrophages with a light lymphoplasmacytic chronic inflammatory infiltrate and moderate vascularization. At day 21, cystic wall was more compact. The vasculature had collapsed and there were more pronounced fibroblastic response and collagen bundles. Average tumor weight by day 21 was 41 g. Average spontaneous food intake was depressed by about 15% from day 8 on in study rats as compared to controls. A significant decrease in carcass weight of 15.2% was observed in study as compared to control rats at day 21. Serum albumin was significantly decreased in study rats after day 5. Liver weight was significantly lower and spleen weight higher in study rats as compared to controls. These data suggest that some characteristics associated with cancer anorexia can be found in the absence of malignancy.