Unravelling the complex interactions between genetics, animal age and nutrition as they impact on tissue deposition, muscle characteristics and quality of Australian sheep meat

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Warner ◽  
D. W. Pethick ◽  
P. L. Greenwood ◽  
E. N. Ponnampalam ◽  
R. G. Banks ◽  
...  

The combined effects of age and genetics and Poll Dorset sire and growth path were studied in two separate experiments (n = 595 and 627, respectively). In the first experiment, containing genotype crosses typically used in Australia (Merino, Poll Dorset, Border Leicester) and sires selected for growth or muscling, sheep were slaughtered at 4, 8, 14 and 22 months. The second experiment used Poll Dorset sires selected for high muscling, fat or growth with progeny having two levels of nutrition postweaning. Border Leicesters expressed higher levels of carcass fat percentage and intramuscular fat and produced the heaviest carcass. Merinos had the lowest subcutaneous fat depth and highest carcass lean percentage when compared at the same age. The progeny of Poll Dorset sires selected for high muscling (PDm) expressed a shift toward glycolytic fibres relative to those from Merino sires, and PDm sires produced progeny with reduced spine and limb length and higher carcass muscle : mineral ratios, suggesting skeletal stunting. Genotype meat quality differences were minimal except that PDm sire topsides were tougher and Merinos produced higher pH meat. With age (4–22 months), lambs became heavier and fatter, fibres shifted towards oxidative and away from glycolytic, muscle myoglobin increased, the meat became darker and redder and tenderness declined. Early weaning had no effect on the time to reach slaughter weight, provided nutrition was not restricted. The sire genetics influence on the carcass composition far outweighed the effect of nutrition postweaning. Lambs on a restricted diet tended to have less acceptable meat quality but this was not evident in lambs from sires selected for high fatness. Sensory tenderness was improved and intramuscular fat was higher in lamb progeny from sires selected for high fatness.

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Karamichou ◽  
R. I. Richardson ◽  
G. R. Nute ◽  
K. A. McLean ◽  
S. C. Bishop

AbstractGenetic parameters for carcass composition and meat quality traits were estimated in Scottish Blackface sheep, previously divergently selected for carcass lean content (LEAN and FAT lines). Computerized X-ray tomography (CT) was used to obtain non-destructive in vivo estimates of the carcass composition of 700 lambs, at ca. 24 weeks of age, with tissue areas and image densities obtained for fat, muscle and bone components of the carcass. Comprehensive measures of meat quality and carcass fatness were made on 350 male lambs, at ca. 8 months of age, which had previously been CT scanned. Meat quality traits included intramuscular fat content, initial and final pH of the meat, colour attributes, shear force, dry matter, moisture and nitrogen proportions, and taste panel assessments of the cooked meat. FAT line animals were significantly (P<0·05) fatter than the LEAN line animals in all measures of fatness (from CT and slaughter data), although the differences were modest and generally proportionately less than 0·1. Correspondingly, the LEAN line animals were superior to the FAT line animals in muscling measurements. Compared with the LEAN line, the FAT line had lower muscle density (as indicated by the relative darkness of the scan image), greater estimated subcutaneous fat (predicted from fat classification score) at slaughter, more intramuscular fat content, a more ‘yellow’ as opposed to ‘red’ muscle colour, and juicer meat (all P<0·05). All CT tissue areas were moderately to highly heritable, with h2 values ranging from 0·23 to 0·76. Likewise, meat quality traits were also moderately heritable. Muscle density was the CT trait most consistently related to meat quality traits, and genetic correlations of muscle density with live weight, fat class, subcutaneous fat score, dry matter proportion, juiciness, flavour and overall liking were all moderately to strongly negative, and significantly different from zero. In addition, intramuscular fat content was positively genetically correlated with juiciness and flavour, and negatively genetically correlated with shear force value. The results of this study demonstrate that altering carcass fatness will simultaneously change muscle density (indicative of changes in intramuscular fatness), and aspects of intramuscular fat content, muscle colour and juiciness. The heritabilities for the meat quality traits indicate ample opportunities for altering most meat quality traits. Moreover, it appears that colour, intramuscular fat content, juiciness, overall liking and flavour may be adequately predicted, both genetically and phenotypically, from measures of muscle density. Thus, genetic improvement of carcass composition and meat quality is feasible using in vivo measurements.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 477-486
Author(s):  
Anneke ANNEKE ◽  
Chaiyawan WATTANACHANT ◽  
Saowakon WATTANACHANT

The effects of feeding concentrate diet containing crude glycerin supplementation and castration on carcass composition and meat quality of Thai Native x Anglo-Nubian (TN-AN) goats were investigated. Twenty TN-AN goats at the age of 12 months old with 24.75±1.33 kg initial live weight were allotted into a 2x2 factorial arrangement in completely randomized design when factor A was assigned for sexes (intact and castrated male) and factor B was assigned for 2 types of concentrate diet (control diet and diet supplemented with 10 % crude glycerin). Goats were intensively raised in individual pens with ad libitum water and Atratum grass (Paspalum atratum), while 2 % of concentrate diets was provided. After 90 days of feeding, 3 goats from each treatment combination were randomly sampled and sacrificed for further examination. From the study, castrated male goats had significantly higher slaughter and carcass weight, carcass fat percentage and chemical fat percentage than those of the intact males (P < 0.01). In addition, muscle from castrated male goats was more tender and lighter in color as compared with intact male goats (P < 0.01). Goats receiving a diet with extra glycerin had significantly higher weight at slaughter, warm carcass weight, carcass fat, and chemical fat percentages than those on the control diet. Therefore, it could be concluded that feeding goats with a diet of 10 % supplementary glycerin and castration could lead to better slaughter and warm weight, whereas a higher fat content in the carcass and muscle are observed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 6-6
Author(s):  
Katarina Nenadovic ◽  
Nikola Cobanovic ◽  
Marijana Vucinic ◽  
Dejan Bugarski ◽  
Tomislav Mikus ◽  
...  

Recently, in many parts of the world, greater importance has been given to lamb meat as well as to the intensive production of lamb and sheep, due to demand for this type of meat at affordable prices. In Serbia, similar to most European countries, the structure of total sheep meat production comprises about 70% lamb meat and 30% sheep meat. This study assessed resource-based measures on 11 dairy sheep farms and investigated, in a total of 30 lambs, the effects of sex, the presence of bruises and pneumonia in carcasses, and carcass and meat quality. Carcass (carcass length, thigh length, croup width, subcutaneous fat thickness, presence of bruises) and meat quality (pH, temperature, drip, thawing and cooking losses, color, and meat quality classes) traits were measured post mortem. The most common deficiencies on farms were high stocking density, poor hygienic conditions, dirty drinkers, and lack of outdoor access. Regarding sex differences, higher prevalences of carcass bruises and severe pneumonia were recorded in male lambs. Meat pH (pH45min), sensory color score, and prevalence of dark, firm and dry (DFD) meat were higher in lambs with carcass bruises. The occurrence of quality defects (DFD meat) was higher in lambs with severe pneumonia. It can be concluded that it is necessary to improve the welfare conditions on the lamb farms and pre-slaughter conditions in order to achieve better lamb meat quality.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Vincenzi dos Santos ◽  
Wagner Paris ◽  
Luís Fernando Glasenapp de Menezes ◽  
Douglas Vonz ◽  
Magali Floriano da Silveira ◽  
...  

The Brazil sacrifices many dairy calves at birth, which can become a very serious problem merchandising. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the physical carcass composition and meat quality characteristics of Holstein calves in feedlot or pasture with supplementation, slaughtered at 140, 180, 220 or 260 kg body weight. In the early termination calves had on average 57 kg and 58 days of age. The confined animals were fed forage (corn) and concentrated, in the ratio of 40:60 and concentrated pasture supplemented with 1% body weight. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 2 x 4 (two feeding systems x four slaughter weights). It was observed a significant interaction between slaughter weight and finishing system only for the texture of the meat. The finished animals on pasture showed improved texture with increased weight, whereas the confined animals did not affect the weight. Animals finished on pasture had higher muscle percentage (69.48% vs 66.57%), and lower fat percentage (9.58% and 9.75 kg vs 13.20% and 13.08 kg) compared to confined animals. There was a linear increase in the total amount of muscle, bone and fat, muscle / bone ratio, compared edible portion / bone, palatability and juiciness when increased slaughter weight. The percentage of bone and meat coloring decreased linearly with the increase of slaughter weight. The proportion of muscle and fat, showed quadratic behavior. The animals of dairy breeds are excellent producers of lean meat, with good smoothness, flavor and juiciness.


2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 161-172
Author(s):  
V. Jukna ◽  
C. Jukna ◽  
N. Peciulaitienė ◽  
Meskinytė Kausilienė

In this article analysis data about boars and sows influence on progeny meat quality and calorific value are represented. In order to assess boar and sow influence on meat quality of their offspring, 144 animals were selected and investigated. For assay Large White, Yorkshire, Landrace and Lithuanian White pigs were selected. Six boars of each breed were selected. For analysis of each boar offspring of 3 sows was used. For each sow litter were evaluated by 2 offspring. The samples were taken from the musculus longissimus dorsi between twelve and last rib. For samples 500 - 550 g size of muscle was taken. The meat quality was evaluated 48 hours after slaughtering. The chemical composition, physical and technological properties of meat were estimated by using common accepted methods. Caloric value of meat was counted according Watt, Mersil (1975) formula. Experiments have shown that in offspring from analyzed pig breeds the highest correlation coefficients determined between calorific value of meat and dry matter, and protein content (p<0001). Between calorific value of meat and meat intramuscular fat content strong significant positive link was established only in the Landrace breed offspring (r = 0.56, p<0001). Dispersive analysis (ANOVA) showed, that the sows and boars had a major influence on offspring meat quality. The biggest statistically significant influence of boar estimated for offspring meat intramuscular fat percentage - 52.1 percentage (p ? 0001), and of sow for offspring meat redness (a *) - 37.7 percentage (p<0.05). And from all genetic factors only boar statistically significant influenced meat calorific value 21.9 percentage (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the offspring sex statistically significant had influence on the meat shear force kg/cm2 (p<0001), drip loss percentage 2.2 percentage (p<0.05) and water holding capacity 1.6 percentage (p<0.05). It is important to clarify the best combinations of boars and sows, because these combinations can ensure increase of high-quality pork in the country. .


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 607
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Scarpa ◽  
Simona Tarricone ◽  
Marco Ragni

There is a growing demand by the modern consumer for meat containing less fat and lower levels of saturated fatty acids, which are considered to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. In southern Italy, the Gentile di Puglia breed is one of the most common on farms, and the light lambs are often consumed. The study evaluates the effect of a diet containing extruded linseed (Linum usitatissimum) on growth performances, carcass traits, and meat quality in Gentile di Puglia light lambs. Thirty-six male lambs are weaned at about 20 days of age, and divided into three groups—each group is either fed a control diet (C), a diet containing 3% extruded linseed (L), or a diet containing 3% extruded linseed and 0.6% oregano (Origanum vulgare) (L + O). The lambs’ growth performances and the slaughtering and dissection data did not differ between groups. Dietary treatments have no significant effect on the quality and chemical composition of Longissimus lumborum (Ll). The mount of linoleic acid in Ll meat is significantly higher in the L group, and this positively affected the total content of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid, as well as the n-6/n-3 ratio. The good results obtained concerning the sensory traits meet the requirements of the market’s consumer.


2001 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Marinova ◽  
V Banskalieva ◽  
S Alexandrov ◽  
V Tzvetkova ◽  
H Stanchev

1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Hinks ◽  
J. H. D. Prescott

SUMMARYTwenty-four Friesian steers, initially 5 months of age, were involved in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment which spanned grazing and silage feeding periods of 22 weeks' duration. In the first period, cattle were stocked at a uniformly high density, with half of the group being fed 1·25 kg/head per day of supplementary barley. In the second period, the cattle were subdivided into four groups and fed varying levels of barley with silage. Finally all the animals received 3·65 kg/head per day of barley. Replicates of the four treatments were slaughtered at random after 5 to 11 weeks on this treatment. Whilst supplementary cereal feeding significantly increased the live-weight gains of steers at grass by 11%, this live-weight advantage was offset by their slower gains in the final weeks before slaughter. Feeding cereals to grazing cattle had little effect on carcass composition or the proportions of carcass joints, but their beef was considered, by a tasting panel, to be more tender than the meat from the control steers.Increasing the level of barley fed with silage only increased live-weight gains by 2%, and had little effect on carcass or meat quality.


1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-237
Author(s):  
C. E. Hinks ◽  
J. H. D. Prescott

SUMMARYTwo experiments concerning the effects, on the carcass and meat characteristics of 18-months-old Friesian steers, of variation in grazing intensity and the level of barley feeding with silage are reported.Groups of 12 steers were grazed at different intensities over 5-month grazing periods, such that live-weight differences of 38 kg and 16 kg were recorded at housing. No compensatory growth was recorded during the subsequent winter feeding period.Whilst the grazing treatments had little effect on carcass or meat quality, higher levels of barley feeding with silage over the winter period (710 v. 410 kg/steer) had significant effects on live-weight gain, and increased carcass weight by 21 kg at slaughter. The higher yield of carcass weight was reflected in significant differences in carcass composition, joint proportions and retail cut-out value. Sixty per cent of the carcass weight difference was removed as trim fat. Differences in carcass fatness were not associated with any differences in eating quality.


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