Concentration of copper, iron, manganese and zinc in muscle, fat and bone tissue of lambs of the breed German Merino Landsheep in the course of the growing period and different feeding intensities

A growth experiment with 108 lambs (breed German Merino Landsheep) was carried out in order to examine how gender, body weight and feeding intensity affect trace element concentrations in tissues and carcass. The lambs (50% male and 50% female) were fattened at three levels of feeding intensity ('low', 'medium' and 'high' by varying daily amounts of concentrate and hay) and slaughtered at different final body weights (30, 45 or 55 kg). Six male and six female animals were sacrificed at 18 kg live weight at the beginning of the comparative slaughter experiment. The left half carcass of each animal was divided into muscle tissue, fat tissue as well as bones and sinews and analysed for the trace elements copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) as well as zinc (Zn). The body weight level influenced the Zn concentrations significantly in all tissues. In addition, the Fe concentration in the fat tissue was influenced by the body weight as well as the Cu content in the bone tissue. An influence due to gender could be seen for the Zn concentration in the muscle and fat tissue and for the Fe content in the fat and bone tissue as well as for the Cu concentration in the bones. The feeding intensity affected the Cu content in the muscle and bone tissue and also the Zn content in the muscle tissue. In the present study with lambs at body weight range from 18 to 55 kg on an average, 127 mg Fe, 87 mg Zn, 1.5 mg Cu as well as 1.1 mg Mn per kilogram dry matter were found in the bone tissue. In lamb muscle tissue combined from all parts (body weight range from 18 to 45 kg, both genders) the highest concentrations were for Zn and Fe [3.42 and 1.31 mg/100 g meat (wet weight basis)], while Cu remained far below these levels (0.08 mg/100 g meat and Mn was even below the detection limit of 0.025 mg/kg). Lamb muscle is a valuable source for highly available haem-Fe as well as for Zn and Cu in human nutrition.     

Content and distribution of macro- and micro-elements in the body of pasture-fed young horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the content and distribution of Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, S, Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn in the body of pasture-fed young horses and then use a factorial model to calculate the dietary mineral requirements for growth. PROCEDURE: Twenty-one foals were killed at about 150 days of age and the organs, soft tissues, skin and bones and a sample of muscle were dissected out and weighted. The mineral concentrations of elements in all soft tissues and bones were measured by inductively coupled emission spectrometry. The total mineral element composition associated with a tissue was determined from the weight of tissue and its mineral element concentration. RESULTS: Expressed as a percent of total body mineral elements, muscle contained 20% Na, 78% K, 32% Mg, 62% Cu, 36% Mn and 57% Zn, bone contained 47% Na, 99% Ca, 81% P, 62% Mg, 30% Mn and 28% Zn while the organs accounted for a smaller percentage ranging from 0.06% for Ca to 26% for Fe. In liver Cu accounted for 9.2% of total body Cu. Each kilogram of empty body weight was associated with 1.0 g Na, 2.5 g K, 17.1 g Ca, 10.1 g P, 0.4 g Mg, 1.1 mg Cu, 0.39 mg Mn, 52.5 mg Fe and 21.4 mg Zn. CONCLUSION: The mineral element content of body weight gain is a component used in the factorial model to determine dietary mineral element requirements for growth. The calculated dietary mineral requirements, expressed per kg dry matter, for a 200 kg horse gaining 1.0 kg/day were 1.0 g Na, 2.1 g K, 4.6 g Ca, 3.5 g P, 0.7 g Mg, 4.5 mg Cu and 25 mg Zn.     

Nutrient composition of the muscle, fat, and bone tissue of carcasses during the development of lambs of the merino breed with different feeding intensities

In a developmental study of lambs, the following question was investigated: What is the influence of gender, bodyweight, and feeding intensity on the nutritional value of the carcass as well as the body tissues? This study was conducted with 108 lambs (50% males and 50% females) of the merino breed. The animals were fattened according to three feeding intensity levels ("high","medium", and "low") using varied feed concentrates and hay in their daily rations. They were slaughtered at body weights of 30, 45 or 55 kg. Six male and six female lambs were slaughtered at a bodyweight of 18 kg which was the initial weight of the fattening lambs. The left half of the slaughtered animal was carved according to the guidelines provided by the DLG (German Agricultural Society). For each cut, an examination of the meat(muscle), fatty tissue and bone/tendons was carried out and the percentages of these tissue components were determined for the whole joint. The samples of the tissues as well as the cuts were analysed for dry matter, crude protein, total fat level and crude ash. The carcasses of the male lambs showed higher protein content and lower fat levels. With increasing feeding intensity level and bodyweight, the differences in these nutritional components between the sexes rose. The muscle tissue (meat) of the lamb carcasses at the usual slaughter weight of 45 kg showed relatively low fat content (less than 10%). This was especially noticeable in carcasses of male lambs (less than 8%).     

Effects of dietary sewage solids on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, serum constituents and tissue elements of growing lambs

Twenty fine-wool wether lambs were allotted randomly at weaning to be fed a conventional diet (CD) formulated for growing lambs, or the same basal mixture plus dried gamma-irradiated solids from primary sewage sludge (SS) incorporated as 7% of the dry matter. Feedlot performance and chemical elements in whole blood were monitored during 90 d, after which lambs were slaughtered and carcass data were collected. Concentrations of Ag, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb and Zn were measured in livers, kidneys, bones, spleens and muscles. Sewage solids in the diet did not affect performance appreciably, although dressing percentages from lambs fed SS were 4% lower than CD-fed animals (P less than .05). Rib eye areas, fat thicknesses, quality and yield grades were similar (P greater than .05). Element concentrations in whole blood at weaning, after 56 d of the feeding trial and at slaughter did not differ (P greater than .05) between dietary groups. Serum chemistry determinations showed no biologically meaningful patterns related to diets. Lambs fed SS had higher (P less than .05) concentrations of Cu in livers (51.1 vs 34.3 +/- 3.8 micrograms/g, mean +/- SE) and Pb in kidneys (4.0 vs 2.2 +/- .3 micrograms/g) and lower (P less than .05) Mg in kidneys (.69 vs .72 +/- .01 mg/g). None of the elements in spleen and muscle tissue differed (P greater than .05) between diet groups. Lambs fed SS had elevated (P less than .05) bone Co, Cu, Fe, K and Na compared with those of CD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

20～35 kg杜泊羊×湖羊F_1代公羔常量元素维持和生长需要量

本研究采取比较屠宰法测定20~35 kg杜泊羊×湖羊(杜湖)F_1代公羔代常量元素[钙(Ca)、磷(P)、钾(K)、钠(Na)和镁(Mg)]的维持和生长需要量。选择35只杜湖F1代公羔[初体重为(19.20±0.36)kg]作为试验动物。随机选取7只羊,体重达约20 kg时进行屠宰以测定羊体常量元素含量的初始值。再随机选取7只羊,饲喂全混合颗粒饲粮,自由采食(AL),体重达约28 kg时进行屠宰。剩余的21只羊随机分为3个组,分别为AL组、70%AL组和40%AL组,每组7只羊。当AL组体重大约为35 kg时,这3组将被屠宰。屠宰后,测定空腹体(头+足、皮、内脏+血液和胴体)常量元素含量。结果表明:在20~35 kg体重阶段,杜湖F1代公羔的钙、磷、钾、钠和镁维持需要量[空腹体重(EBW)为基础]分别为24.01、11.70、3.20、6.60、1.20 mg/kg EBW,生长需要量[空腹体增重(EBW G)为基础]分别为11.55~11.41 g/kg EBW G、5.82~5.77 g/kg EBW G、1.47~1.69 g/kg EBW G、0.42~0.44 g/kg EBW G和0.98~0.88 g/kg EBW G。总之,20~35 kg杜湖F_1代常量元素需要量的确定将有助于此生长阶段合理饲粮的配制,有利于羔羊生长性能的提高。     

35～50kg道赛特×小尾寒羊杂交公羔矿物质需要量研究

本试验旨在研究35~50 kg道赛特×小尾寒羊杂交公羔钙、磷、钾、钠、镁的维持需要量和净生长需要量。选取(34.54±0.40)kg、6月龄道赛特×小尾寒羊杂交公羔25只分为5组,初期组,中期组,末期100%组、末期60%组、末期40%组(饲喂水平分别为100%、60%、40%),初期组、中期组、末期组分别在羔羊体重为35、43和50 kg时屠宰。测定动物体组织中的钙、磷、钾、钠、镁含量,建立数学模型对矿物质的维持需要量和净生长需要量进行预测。结果显示:道寒杂交公羔在35~50 kg体重阶段,钙、磷、钾、钠、镁的维持需要量分别为0.73、0.72、0.32、0.32、0.13 g/d,基于空腹体重(EBW)的净生长需要量分别为13.47~14.00 g/kg EBW、7.18~7.41 g/kg EBW、0.13~0.17 g/kg EBW、1.20~1.73 g/kg EBW、0.45~0.58 g/kg EBW。本研究得出了35~50 kg道赛特×小尾寒羊杂交公羔矿物质维持需要量和净生长需要量的模型。     

水果提取物对羔羊生长性能、抗氧化及肉品质的影响

本研究旨在研究日粮添加水果提取物对羔羊生长和屠宰性能、组织器官抗氧化及肉品质的影响.试验将60只体重接近的羔羊随机分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复5只.在为期4周的饲养期间,对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组饲喂基础日粮+150?mg/kg水果提取物.结果:粮添加150?mg/kg水果提取物对羔羊屠宰率、热胴体重、冷胴体重、内...     

Relationship between plasma leptin concentrations and carcass composition in fattening mutton: a comparison with ultrasound results

Positive relationships between circulating leptin concentrations and body fat content have been established in sheep when covering a rather broad range of age and/or body weight. The usefulness of leptin measurements for predicting carcass fat has yet to be evaluated specifically in fattening lambs. We therefore measured plasma leptin concentrations in 56 male lambs half and half Merino Mutton and Blackheaded Mutton. Subcutaneous fat thickness was measured by ultrasound 1 day before the lambs were slaughtered at 35 or 45 kg live weight. Carcass composition was determined by tissue dissection. The coefficients of correlations between leptin and the different amounts in fat depots ranged from 0.40 to 0.56 within the two live weight groups, and from 0.53 to 0.64 when taking the two groups together. Carcass fat percentage was estimated by leptin concentrations with the same accuracy (R2 = 0.34) as with ultrasound fat thickness. The accuracy was higher for leptin in the 35 kg-group whereas the accuracy was higher for ultrasound fat thickness in the 45 kg-group (R2 = 0.26 vs. 0.31). A combination of leptin and ultrasound fat thickness clearly enhanced the precision of estimation in all groups. Further investigations on the influence of factors such as breed, gender, duration of feed withdrawal or photoperiod on the association between leptin and carcass composition are necessary before the suitability of plasma leptin concentration for practical application can be evaluated.     

减少矿物质元素的饲粮中补充包膜半胱胺对育肥猪生长性能、胴体品质、矿物质元素沉积及排放的影响

本试验旨在研究夏季高温状态下,在减少矿物质(铜、铁、锰、锌)元素的饲粮中补充包膜半胱胺对育肥后期猪生长性能、胴体品质、组织矿物质元素沉积和粪便矿物质元素排放的影响。试验共选用360头健康、平均体重为(103.9±0.7)kg的三元(杜×长×大)杂交育肥猪,采用2×2双因素试验设计,分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复15头。因素1为饲粮矿物质元素的含量,设计为基础饲粮铜、铁、锌、锰元素含量的100%和80%2个水平;因素2为饲粮包膜半胱胺(半胱胺含量27%)含量,设计为0、1 600 mg/kg(半胱胺含量300 mg/kg)2个水平。试验期30 d。结果表明:1)饲粮减少矿物质元素或补充包膜半胱胺对育肥猪后期的生长性能和胴体品质均无显著影响(P0.05)。2)饲粮减少矿物质元素可显著降低育肥猪肝脏中铬元素的含量及肾脏中钠、钙、铅元素的含量(P0.05),显著升高血清钠元素含量(P0.05);减少矿物质元素的饲粮中补充包膜半胱胺显著或极显著降低肝脏中钾元素含量和肾脏中钠、钙、铅、铜元素含量(P0.05或P0.01),并有降低肝脏锰、锌、铬及钙元素和血清中铬和镁元素含量沉积的趋势(0.05≤P0.10),对维持机体各组织中钠元素的稳定有利。3)饲粮中减少矿物质元素或补充包膜半胱胺极显著减少粪便中铅和铜元素的排放量(P0.01);饲粮减少矿物质元素可显著降低粪便中锌元素的排放量(P0.05),极显著升高镁元素的排放量(P0.05);减少矿物质元素的饲粮中补充包膜半胱胺对粪便中铬元素的排放量有降低趋势(0.05≤P0.10)。由此可见,夏季高温期,在饲粮的铜、铁、锰、锌4种矿物质元素含量减少20%条件下补充1 600 mg/kg包膜半胱胺,能在不影响育肥猪后期生长性能和胴体品质的同时,降低血清、肝脏和肾脏中矿物质元素的沉积,减少粪便铅、铜和铬元素对环境的排放,维持机体电解质平衡。     

舍饲条件下波尔山羊与河南淮山羊杂交羊生长发育、屠宰性能及肉品质特性研究

为了研究波尔山羊与河南淮山羊杂交羊的生长发育情况以及肌肉品质特性,本研究采用生长性能常规测定以及国标法和组织化学染色法对舍饲条件下的波淮杂交羊的体重体尺指标、屠宰性能、胴体肌肉的常规营养成分（水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗灰分、钙、磷、镁、铁和硒）、17种氨基酸含量和不同部位（臂三头肌、股二头肌、背最长肌）肌肉的纤维组织特性（肌纤维直径、肌纤维密度）进行测定分析。结果显示,波淮杂交羊初生阶段公羊体重、体斜长、体高、管围均显著高于母羊（P<0.05）;1月龄、3月龄和6月龄时公羊体重、体斜长、体高和胸围均显著高于母羊（P<0.05）;1岁以及1.5岁时公羊体重和体尺等指标均显著高于母羊（P<0.05）。6月龄屠宰的波淮杂交羊公母羊胴体重分别为12.94和11.33 kg,屠宰率分别为49.01%和48.34%,屠宰性能的各项指标均差异不显著（P>0.05）。胴体肌肉中水分、粗脂肪、粗蛋白质、粗灰分分别占比71.00%、2.10%、19.17%和2.31%,胆固醇含量为62.93 mg/100 g;镁、钙、铁、硒、磷的含量分别为248.00、40.57、17.00、0.08、210.12 mg/kg。赖氨酸、组氨酸、精氨酸占FAO指标比例分别为123.87%、140.42%、102.88%,这3种氨基酸含量均高于FAO/WHO（理想蛋白模式）的评价标准;苏氨酸、亮氨酸占FAO指标分别为86.80%、82.00%,与FAO理想蛋白模式的氨基酸含量差距不大。苯丙氨酸占FAO指标的36.90%,与FAO理想蛋白模式的氨基酸含量差距较明显。臂三头肌的肌纤维直径（39.98 μm） > 股二头肌的肌纤维直径（36.53 μm） > 背最长肌的肌纤维直径（27.06 μm）。本试验结果表明,舍饲条件下波淮杂交羊屠宰性能较好,肌肉中的氨基酸、蛋白质、脂肪和主要几种矿物质含量丰富,肌肉中脂肪呈现大理石纹状分布,为下一步地方山羊品种的杂交改良和优质羊肉产品开发提供了参考依据。     

In vivo prediction of internal fat weight in Scottish Blackface lambs, using computer tomography

From a calibration trial involving computer tomography (CT) scanning and dissection of 45 lambs, a prediction equation was derived to estimate total internal fat weight in Scottish Blackface lambs from measurements taken on cross‐sectional CT images. Using data from two cross‐sectional images (at the hip and loin) internal fat can be predicted with relatively high accuracy (adjusted R² = 62.2%, r = 0.79). The derived equation was then used to predict internal fat weights in a further 427 Scottish Blackface lambs from a separate trial. Phenotypic correlations were calculated between predicted internal fat weight and weights of total carcass fat, muscle and bone, predicted using previously derived equations. When considering absolute tissue weights, adjusted for fixed effects, internal fat showed the strongest positive correlation with carcass fat (0.58), followed by muscle (0.36), and then by bone (0.32). When tissue weights were adjusted for fixed effects and total carcass weight (so considering tissue weights relative to size), internal fat showed a lower correlation with carcass fat weight (0.36) and negative correlations with muscle (?0.35) and bone (?0.19). These results provide the basis for more complex studies of relationships (phenotypic and genetic) between internal fat in hill lambs and economically important traits, such as carcass composition and survival of lambs, and tissue levels in different depots in hill ewes.     

Mineral requirements for weight gain in growing male Santa Inês and Morada Nova hair sheep

This study estimated the net macro and micromineral requirement from the 48 male uncastrated lambs (24 growing male Santa Inês and 24 growing male Morada Nova hair sheep), with initial weights of 21.7 ± 1.2 kg and 20.8 ± 0.8 kg using the comparative slaughter method. The experimental diet consisted of 30% forage (Buffel—Cenchrus ciliaris (L) hay) and 70% concentrate (corn grain 43.5%, soybean meal 22.0%, vegetable oil 3.0% and mineral supplement 1.5%). The experimental design was a completely randomized with two breeds, four weights, and six replicate. Mineral requirements sufficient to promote weight gain in Santa Inês sheep ranged from 1.75 to 1.03 g Ca, 1.01 to 0.61 g of P, 0.38 to 0.21 g of K, 0.38 to 0.16 of Na, 0.10 to 0.06 Mg, 28.5 to 16.0 mg of Fe, 6.14 to 3.22 mg of Cu, and Zn 23.0 to 14.0 mg/kg per unit of empty body weight (EBW) gain. In the Morada Nova breed, the requirements ranged from 1.96 to 0.84 g of Ca, 1.15 to 0.46 of P, 0.39 to 0.19 of K, 0.28 to 0.13 of Na, 0.10 to 0.05 Mg, 26.2 to 12.9 mg of Fe, 5.59 to 2.46 Cu, and Zn 23.6 to 10.3 mg/kg of EBW gain. Mineral requirements varied mainly in accordance with the proportion of bone mass and fat concentration in the carcass, which were influenced by the slaughter weight of the animals, and therefore should be used in the formulation of dietary mineral supplements.     

Effects of exogenous somatotropin on the concentration of minerals in the tissues of growing ram lambs

Ten Suffolk ram lambs (mean BW 14.4 +/- 1.0 kg, 9 wk of age) were used to evaluate the effects of somatotropin (ST) on the concentration of minerals in tissues. Lambs were treated with daily injections of sterile saline (SAL; n = 5) or with bovine pituitary-extracted ST (.1 mg.kg BW-1.d-1; n = 5) for 13 wk. At slaughter at 22 wk of age, the liver, heart, kidneys, brain, spleen, lungs and testes were removed. Tissues were lyophilized, ground and analyzed for minerals. Daily treatment with ST had no influence on Ca, Na, K or the ratio of Na to K in tissues. Although P was lower (P less than .10) in the liver of ST lambs, the concentration of P remained within a normal range for sheep. The concentrations of both Mg (P less than .10) and Fe (P less than .05) were lower in the spleen of ST lambs. Splenic hypertrophy appeared to occur (P = .13) in ST lambs; the total splenic pool of Mg and of Fe did not differ (P greater than .10) between SAL and ST lambs. The concentration of several other minerals were lower in tissues of ST lambs: Cu in kidneys (P less than .10) and liver (P = .12); Zn (P less than .05) in liver, kidneys and lungs; and Mn in liver (P less than .05). By causing a reduction in the concentration of minerals in tissues, ST may increase the possibility of a metabolic insufficiency of a mineral. Exogenous treatment of animals with ST may modify the metabolic requirements for minerals and thereby increase dietary requirements.     

Danish investigations concerning body composition of pigs in relation to nutrition,sex and slaughter weight

Several Danish investigations were carried out in order to elucidate the influence of nutrition, sex and slaughter weight on the body composition in pigs. In this paper we discuss whether selection of breeding animals should be based mainly on: (1) per cent meat in the carcass, (2) a combination of per cent meat, daily gain and feed consumption per kg live weight gain, or maybe better, (3) a combination of per cent meat and feed consumption per kg meat produced.Investigations comprising five different energy and protein levels and 1100 pigs slaughtered at live weights varying from 80 to 120 kg showed that both feeding intensity and slaughter weight influenced the carcass composition. Increasing feeding intensity and increasing slaughter weight caused a deterioration in the ratio between meat and subcutaneous fat. The feeding intensity had only little influence on kg meat produced whereas increasing feeding intensity caused an increase in kg subcutaneous fat produced.The females contained more meat than did the male castrates. Besides, the deterioration in carcass composition due to increasing slaughter weight and feeding intensity were lower in the females than in the male castrates. Daily gain increased with increasing feeding intensity. The investigations indicate maximal protein synthesis to take place within the live weight area of 90–100 kg.High correlations were found between the chemical composition of the different anatomical fractions in 90-kg pigs. The empty pigs (live weight minus the content of the digestive tract) weighed on average 80.8 kg, of which 42.0% was dry matter. The dry matter contained 41.1% protein, 51.1% chemical fat, 7.7% ash and 7080 kcal per kg. The meat fraction contained 55% of the protein, 30% of the chemical fat and 38% of the energy in the empty pigs.     

西藏那曲地区高寒草地牧草矿物元素动态变化及盈缺分析

测定了那曲地区尼玛县高寒草地不同月份围栏内和围栏外牧草矿物元素（Ca、P、Na、K、Mg、Cu和Zn）含量，并根据元素的吸收率及藏山羊矿物元素需要量，对放牧藏山羊采食牧草中矿物元素的盈缺进行了分析。结果表明：同月份围栏内与围栏外的矿物元素含量差异不显著（P〉0．05），但不同季节的变异很大。夏秋季牧草Ca、P、Na、K、Mg、Cu、Zn的含量（Ca1．25％DM，P0．1419％DM，Na0．06％DM，K1．51％DM，Mg0．28％DM，Cu8．70mg／kg，Zn27．35mg／kg）高于冬春季（Ca0．72％DM，P0．0005％DM，Na0．02％DM，K0．43％DM，Mg0．10％DM，Cu3．02mg／kg，Zn8．49mg／kg）。除Mg和青草期的K能满足藏山羊的需要外，其余元素不能满足藏山羊生长、繁殖和泌乳对矿物元素的需要量。     

Analysis of muscle elements, water, and total lipids from healthy dogs and Labrador retrievers with hereditary muscular dystrophy

Skeletal muscles from healthy dogs and Labrador Retrievers with hereditary muscular dystrophy were examined morphologically and histochemically and were analyzed biochemically for Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cl-, total muscle water, and total neutral lipid content. Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for elemental quantitation of hydrochloric acid tissue extracts. Muscle samples from dystrophic dogs contained substantially increased concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Cl-, and a considerable reduction in the content of K+ and Mg2+ compared with samples from healthy dogs. Total muscle water and total fat content was higher in muscles from dystrophic dogs. Most muscle samples from dystrophic dogs had a type-2 fiber deficiency and an increase in number of fibers with internalized nuclei.     

Estimation in vivo of the body and carcass chemical composition of growing lambs by real-time ultrasonography

The relationship between ultrasound measurements and empty body and carcass chemical composition was investigated. A 500-V real-time ultrasound with a 7.5-MHz probe combined with image analysis was used to make in vivo measurements to predict the empty body and carcass chemical composition of 31 female lambs of two genotypes, ranging in BW from 18.2 to 48.9 kg. Eleven ultrasound measurements of s.c. fat, muscle, and tissue depth were taken at four different sites (over the 13th thoracic vertebra, between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae, at the 3rd sternebra of the sternum, and over the 11th rib, 16 cm from the dorsal midline). The single best predictor of empty body fat quantity and energy value was the s.c. fat depth over the 13th thoracic vertebra (r(2) = 0.904 and 0.912; P <0.01, respectively). Body weight was used with ultrasound measurements in multiple regression equations to establish the best independent variables combination for predicting chemical composition. Results showed that BW and two of the three ultrasound measurements (s.c. fat depth over the 13th thoracic vertebra, between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae, and tissue depth over the 11th rib, 16 cm from the dorsal midline), explained 94.7 to 98.7% (P < 0.01) of the quantity of water and fat and the energy value variation in the empty body and carcass. Body weight per se was the best predictor of the quantity of protein, accounting for 97.5 and 96.8% (P < 0.01) of the variation observed in the empty body and carcass, respectively. The results of this study suggest that BW and some ultrasound measurements combined with image analysis, particularly subcutaneous fat depth over the 13th thoracic vertebra, allow accurate prediction of empty body and carcass chemical composition in lambs.     

Effects of deficient and adequate dietary magnesium concentrations on body magnesium concentrations in wethers

Effects of 2 dietary Mg concentrations (deficient and adequate: 0.04 and 0.12 g of Mg/100 g of dry matter, respectively) on body fluid and tissue Mg concentrations and performance of wether lambs were evaluated in a 28-day trial. Nine blood and 6 urine samples were collected from each wether. After 28 days, CSF and wool samples were collected, and diet, body fluids, and tissues were analyzed for mineral concentration. Diet effects on serum and urine Mg concentrations were noticed after day 3 (P less than 0.01; P less than 0.05, respectively). Mean serum and urine Mg concentrations for 6 sampling periods were correlated (r = 0.83, P less than 0.001; No. of samples = 12). The effect of dietary Mg on CSF Mg concentrations approached significance (P less than 0.10). Effects of diet on cardiac muscle, liver, and 3rd metatarsal bone Mg contents or hematologic criteria were not observed. Diet affected wool and kidney cortex Mg contents (P less than 0.02). Individual mean 28-day serum Mg concentration was correlated with wool Mg content (r = 0.73, P less than 0.05; n = 8) and with kidney cortex Mg content (r = 0.75, P less than 0.05; n = 8). Wethers fed low Mg diet excreted less urine Ca (P less than 0.001) and had slightly lower serum Ca and K values (P less than 0.10) than did wethers fed high Mg. Significant differences in cardiac muscle, liver, spleen, or kidney cortex Ca contents were not observed. Wethers fed low Mg diet consumed less dry matter and gained less weight (P less than 0.001) than did wethers fed high Mg diet. Body fluid and tissue macromineral concentrations of 1 wether with hypomagnesemic tetany are presented for prognostic and diagnostic purposes.     

Carcass characteristics of Awassi ram lambs slaughtered at different weights

Thirty Awassi ram lambs were used to study the effects of slaughter weight on carcass characteristics. Lambs were slaughtered at three different live weights (20, 30, and 40 kg). Empty body weight, hot and cold carcass weights and non-carcass components increased (P < 0.001) at a steady rate between all slaughter weights. Body length, leg length, maximum shoulder width, width behind shoulders and gigot width increased (P < 0.001) as slaughter weight increased from 20 to 40 kg. Linear dimensions measured on the surface of the M. Longissimus also increased (P < 0.001) with increasing slaughter weight. The ratio between width and depth of the longissimus muscle decreased (P < 0.01) at a steady rate between 20 and 40 kg indicating that the muscle increased more in depth than width. Dressing-out percentage was higher (P < 0.001) for lambs slaughtered at 30 kg live weight compared to other weights. Total lean and total bone decreased (P < 0.05) as a percent of cold carcass weight while total fat, subcutaneous and intermuscular fat percentages increased (P < 0.05) with increasing weight. Subcutaneous fat percentage was not affected by increasing body weight between 20 and 30 kg. Intermuscular fat percent was higher in all cuts except the leg where subcutaneous fat % was higher. Muscle to bone ratio increased (P < 0.001) while muscle to fat ratio decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing body weight in the four major cuts and the whole carcass. In conclusion, slaughtering Awassi ram lambs at weights up to 30 kg resulted in higher dressing-out percentage and better carcass characteristics than ram lambs slaughtered at heavier weights.     

Relationships between liver element concentrations and age in perinatal lambs dying of natural causes in Michigan, USA

A study was designed to characterize potential relationships between liver concentration of nine specific elements and age in preweaned Michigan lambs. All lambs that died before weaning in 1986 from 33 Michigan sheep producers were submitted to the Michigan State University Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy. Inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy was used to measure liver concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Na, P, and Zn in 888 lambs. Linear and non-linear regression techniques were employed to evaluate the relationship between liver element concentration and age. The potentially confounding variables farm of origin and cause of death were significant (P<0.01) in all models. No linear relationship was found between any liver element concentration and lamb age. Significant (P<0.05) non-linear relationships were found between liver concentrations of Cu, Fe, K, Na, Mg, and Zn and lamb age. Because of the large sample size of lambs selected from non-experimental populations, these results should provide diagnosticians with a useful guide for the interpretation of similar data when investigating perinatal lamb mortality.