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.     

Fatty acid profile of hair lambs and their crossbreds slaughtered at different weights

This study aims to investigate the effect of breed and slaughter weight on fatty the acid profile of the Longissimus dorsi muscle in lambs. Twenty-four Santa Inês (SI), 24.5 Ile de France × 0.5 Santa Inês (Ile × SI) and 12.5 Texel × 0.5 Santa Inês (Te × SI), slaughtered at different weights (30, 35, 40, and 45 kg), were evaluated. The animals were reared with creep feeding to weaning and were feedlot finished, receiving a diet composed of 30% hay and 70% concentrate. The analyses of fatty acids were carried out on the Longissimus muscle of the 13th rib. The experiment was in a three by four factorial design. The total mean saturated fatty acid level was 44.88%, with 43.30% monounsaturated fats and 1.72% polyunsaturated. The major fatty acids found included oleic (43%), palmitic (22%), and stearic (18%). The concentration of desirable fatty acids varied from 61.56% to 66.78%, with Te × SI (66.78%) having the highest levels (P < 0.05). The slaughter weight affected (P < 0.05) the saturated and unsaturated (both mono and poly) fatty acid profiles. The 35-kg slaughter weight showed the most desirable fatty acid profile. The saturated myristic and stearic fatty acids decreased with an increase in the slaughter weight, but oleic acid increased. In the conditions of the present study, the meat from Santa Ines and Texel × Santa Ines lambs had fatty acid profiles more beneficial for human health due to the higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids.     

Physical,chemical and sensorial parameters for lambs of different groups,slaughtered at different weights

The object of this experiment was to study physicochemical and sensorial traits in the 11th and 13th ribs of 24 Santa Ines (SI), 24 1/2 Ile de France?×?1/2 Santa Inês (ILE?×?SI) and 8 1/2 Texel?×?1/2 Santa Inês (TE?×?SI), slaughtered at different weights (30, 35, 40 and 45 kg, respectively). Subjective measurements (marbling, colour and texture) were carried out on the Longissimus dorsi, as well as initial pH (0 h) and final pH (24 h) after slaughter. The experiment was in a 3?×?4 factorial design and analysed using general linear model and correlation procedures in SAS®. Breed group did not influence colour (3.32), shear force (3.57 kg-force (kgf)) or loss in cooking (24.05%) of the L. dorsi, but slaughter weight affected these, with stronger colour, tougher meat and greater loss in cooking as slaughter weight increased. For sensorial analysis, the L. dorsi were cut, identified and evaluated by 30 untrained judges using a linear scale. Significant differences were detected in preference (6.61 points), tenderness (6.32 points), succulence (6.33 points) and flavour (7.08 points) of the meat from different breed groups and slaughter weights. For preference, all meats were well accepted although the crossbred animals slaughtered at 45 kg were less acceptable.     

Analysis of microsatellites and paternity testing in Rasa Aragonesa sheep

Four microsatellite loci (MAF50, MAF18, OarFCB20 and MCM527) were studied in Rasa Aragonesa sheep in order to evaluate their use in paternity testing. Several population characteristics were estimated [allele frequencies. effective allele number (Ne), polymorphism informative content (PIC) and probability of excluding wrong paternities (Pe)]. In 32 randomly chosen individuals, four alleles were detected for MAF50, with 2.55 effective alleles, 0.58 PIC and 0.35 Pe. For MAF18, five alleles were identified, with 2.99 effective alleles, 0.51 PIC and 0.32 Pe. For oarFCB20, 10 alleles were observed, with 6.06 effective alleles, 0.82 PIC and 0.68 Pe. Finally, for MCM527, six alleles were found, with 3.75 effective alleles, 0.69 PIC and 0.50 Pe. When these loci were used together with serum transferrin locus, Pe rose to 97.20 per cent. Field trials confirmed the real usefulness of these techniques.     

Population genetics and paternity in Rasa Aragonesa sheep using DNA fingerprinting.

DNA fingerprinting was used to study the population genetics and paternity of the Rasa Aragonesa sheep (Ovis aries). Using a combination of Hae III and the M13 derived probe pV47, the mean number of bands per individual (5.422 +/- 0.309), the background band sharing coefficient (0.347), the mean population frequency of alleles (0.192) and the mean heterozygosity for bands (0.893) were calculated for 45 individuals from eight different farms in Aragon, northern Spain. Therefore, the estimated probability of missing a wrong paternity was 0.126 for unrelated males, and this probability was 0.438 for full-sibs males. In addition, in a field trial of this technique, paternity was assigned for three ewe-lamb pairs with a probability of 97 per cent in two cases and 77 per cent in one case.     

Prediction of carcass characteristics by real-time ultrasound in barrows and gilts slaughtered at three weights.

The carcass characteristics of 27 market barrows and 27 market gilts were evaluated at various times (n = 8) with real-time ultrasound (Aloka 210 DX) from approximately 20 kg until slaughter at three end points. The pigs were randomly assigned to slaughter weight groups of 91, 104.5, and 118 kg at weaning time. Correlations were determined over slaughter weight group and sex, and the accuracies of ultrasound measurements were also evaluated. The regressions of ultrasound 10th-rib fat and ultrasound longissimus muscle area on live weight were also developed. Correlations between actual and ultrasound-measured last-rib fat, 10th-rib fat, and longissimus muscle area were high (r = .91, .63, and .53, respectively; P less than .01). The accuracy of ultrasound longissimus muscle area prediction was lower for 118-kg pigs than for the two lighter groups, whereas the accuracy for prediction of last-rib fat was lower for 91-kg pigs than for the two heavier groups, as indicated by higher absolute differences (P less than .05). Last-rib fat and longissimus muscle area tended to be overestimated and 10th-rib fat tended to be underestimated by real-time ultrasound. Prediction of last-rib fat by ultrasound was more accurate for gilts than for barrows, as indicated by a lower absolute difference (P less than .05).     

High prevalence of ulcerative posthitis in Rasa Aragonesa rams associated with a legume-rich diet

This study describes an outbreak of ulcerative posthitis that eventually affected 76 of 80 of rams in a flock of Rasa Aragonesa sheep on a legume-rich diet. Lesions were confined to the prepuce and varied from mild hyperaemia to ulcerations. Corynebacterium renale was isolated from the lesions. Treatment of an initial group of 17 was based on a change of diet and topical treatment with Veterin Banedif with prednisolone once a day for 15 days and was successful. Lesions in this group were completely resolved after 15 days. The relationship between a legume-rich diet, ruminal alkalosis, elevated urine pH and posthitis is discussed.     

Carcass and meat quality traits of the Chato Murciano pig slaughtered at different weights

In order to evaluate the effect of slaughter weight and rearing system on the Chato Murciano pig carcass and meat quality traits, a total of 71 castrated male pigs were used. Forty-one pigs were reared in an outdoor system, divided in one heavy group (CHOHW) with an average live weight of 132.05 kg, and a second group with lower weights (CHOLW, 115.7 kg average). Simultaneously, 30 pigs were reared indoors and divided into one heavy group (CHIHW) with an average live weight of 144.3 kg, and a second group with lower weights (CHILW, 117.6 kg average).Heavier pigs showed higher values for several carcass parameters (hot carcass weight, carcass length, maximum perimeter of the ham, hand length, leg length, ham length, wrist perimeter) and meat cuts, higher Dorsal Fat Thickness (DFT) and Intramuscular Fat (IMF) levels, but no difference was found in the hot carcass yields (HCY). Differences in the colour parameters and several minerals (Ca, Mg, K and Na) were also due to the different slaughter weights. The rearing system had an influence on the HCY (it is higher in the outdoor system), on many carcass parameters, on meat the ultimate pH (it is higher for animals reared indoors) and on colour (this is variable). It also affected the levels of many minerals with the levels of Mg, P and K being higher for animals reared outdoors, whereas the Fe, Cu and Zn content were higher in the animals reared indoors. DFT and IMF levels were not influenced by the rearing system.     

Effect of diet on chemical composition of rabbits slaughtered at fixed body weights

Four hundred and thirty-two Spanish Giant rabbits were fed 12 diets of variable energy to protein ratio [kcal digestible energy (DE)/g digestible crude protein (DCP)] from weaning to slaughter, both at different ages and weights. Body composition analysis for various chemical components indicated that body weight accounted for the greatest part of the variation in these constituents. Sex influenced only the N content (P less than .05). Dietary E/P accounted for greater variability in body composition than crude protein or crude fiber content of the diet. High dietary E/P increased (P less than .001) the proportion of body fat and reduced the proportion of body protein. This effect was made more obvious by adjustment to equal rate of weight gain and it showed that there may be a greater influence of dietary E/P on body composition than previously recognized.     

Frequency and consequence of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep and lambs slaughtered at a Western Australian abattoir

A total of 8,711 sheep in 3 distinct age/sex groups were examined to determine for occurrence and extent of caseous lymphadenitis after slaughter at a major Western Australian abattoir. An adaptation of current mean inspection procedures to provide a numerical weighted evaluation according to number, site, and size of lesions was used to determine extent of involvement. Frequency in slaughter populations was estimated to be 3.4 +/- 0.6% for lambs, 41.8 +/- 3.9% for mixed-age rams, and 53.7 +/- 1.5% for adult ewes at 95% confidence intervals. The results confirmed that frequency increased with age, but also revealed increases in extent of involvement and occurrence of visceral lesions, particularly in association with lesions of the body. Nevertheless, lesions occurred more frequently in the body than in the viscera. However, the mean visceral involvement was greater than mean body involvement in all groups, and the ratio was found to be more or less constant. Visceral involvement was found to be more extensive in rams than in ewes. Difficulties associated with complexity of current inspection procedures were also recorded. The relevance of these findings to pathogenesis and postmortem disposition after slaughter is discussed. It is suggested that current postmortem inspection criteria should be reevaluated.     

Effects of Melatonin Implants During Non‐Breeding Season on Sperm Motility and Reproductive Parameters in Rasa Aragonesa Rams

The effect of melatonin implants administered during non‐breeding season in Rasa Aragonesa rams on sperm motility parameters and other reproductive traits was assessed. In a first experiment, two Rasa Aragonesa rams were implanted (with melatonin group M), remaining other two males as control group (C). Semen of each group was collected from 1 May to 23 June, twice or three times a week, and motility parameters were assessed using a computer‐assisted sperm analysis system. Melatonin increased the percentage of progressive motile spermatozoa, particularly during 46–75 days after melatonin implantation (p < 0.01). In experiment 2, M and C in vitro fertilization ability had been determined by zona‐pellucida binding assays, using spermatozoa from experiment 1, obtained 60–70 days after melatonin was implanted. A significantly higher number of spermatozoa attached per oocyte was observed in frozen‐thawed immature ovine oocytes incubated with sperm from M animals than in those incubated with sperm from the C group (p < 0.01). Finally, a field assay (experiment 3) was performed. In this case, five Rasa Aragonesa rams were implanted with melatonin and three remained as control group. Sperm doses from those animals were used for artificial insemination of 2608 Rasa Aragonesa ewes from 39 different farms at non‐breeding season. Fertility, litter size and fecundity were studied. Semen from melatonin implanted rams seemed to increase both fertility and fecundity in ewes inseminated with spermatozoa obtained 46–60 days after implantation (p < 0.1). Thus, melatonin treatment in rams during non‐breeding season modifies sperm motility parameters and seems to improve the fertilization parameters obtained.     

Structural and functional characterisation of the ovine interferon gamma (IFNG) gene: its role in nematode resistance in Rasa Aragonesa ewes

The ovine interferon gamma (IFNG) gene was structurally and functionally characterised, and the association between its variants and the response to Haemonchus contortus infection was examined in resistant and susceptible Rasa Aragonesa ewes in different physiological conditions. Sequential faecal egg counts (FECs) were performed on a naturally infected flock of 400 Rasa Aragonesa ewes and two groups of ewes selected for high (n=38) or low (n=33) FEC, which were subsequently challenged with H. contortus in the spring and autumn. The second challenge infection was performed to explore the extent to which the previously established resistance or susceptibility to H. contortus based on FEC reflected the worm burdens of ewes in different physiological states. The ovine IFNG gene was partially isolated and characterised, including the promoter and other regulatory regions. In addition, DNA sequencing of the resistant and susceptible Rasa Aragonesa ewes revealed 13 polymorphisms (12 SNPs and 1 microsatellite) in the IFNG gene. Association studies showed that a haplotype composed of C (SNP -641) and (GTTT)? (microsatellite) was linked to the FEC and worm burden recorded in spring and autumn challenges, respectively, and thus to susceptibility to H. contortus in adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes. Our results also suggested that the IFNG gene was not responsible for the phenotypic variation in susceptibility to H. contortus but was linked to a QTL segregating near the IFNG gene. No significant differences in IFNG gene expression were found between either resistant and susceptible or pregnant and non-pregnant ewes. Finally, we studied the effects of the polymorphisms on IFNG gene expression, finding that the C/T SNP at -641 and the microsatellite showed significant effects in spleen. The C/T SNP at -641 was located within a possible trans-acting factor binding site. Further work is needed to elucidate the function of this SNP.     

Transport and lairage times of lambs slaughtered commercially in the south of England

The times spent in transport and lairage by 124,036 lambs slaughtered in two plants in the south of England were recorded. About half of them travelled for up to 120 km, taking up to four hours, and three-quarters travelled not more than 300 km, the journeys taking up to about six hours. Bimodal frequency distributions of lairage time were apparent; overall one third of the lambs spent up to four hours in lairage but more than 40 per cent were kept for longer than 14 hours, while they were held overnight. Early season lambs tended to travel shorter distances to slaughter and spent less time in lairage than late season lambs. The average total times spent in transit and lairage were 22.3 hours and 13.3 hours at the two plants.     

Eosinophilic myositis and muscular sarcocystosis in the carcasses of slaughtered cattle and lambs

Fifty-three bovine and 7 ovine carcasses condemned for having eosinophilic myositis were evaluated. Four (7.3%) of the bovine carcasses had a few, large local lesions in skeletal muscles (category A), and 49 (92.7%) of the bovine carcasses and 7 (100%) of the ovine carcasses had multiple, small, disseminated lesions in tongue, esophagus, heart, diaphragm, or skeletal muscles (category B). Tissue from carcasses of category B were evaluated for bacteria, viruses, selenium, and pathologic changes. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses were not isolated and selenium concentrations were normal. In category B, all carcasses had granulomas; of the 49 bovine carcasses and 7 ovine carcasses, 38 (77.6%) and 7 (100%), respectively, had one or more granulomas with opened dead sarcocysts. The data indicated that opened sarcocysts killed the host myocyte and adjacent myocytes and stroma, thereby initiating granuloma formation.     

Microbiological differences between cull cattle slaughtered at an abattoir and cull cattle slaughtered on farms

Tissue samples from 27 casualty adult dairy cattle slaughtered on farms and 32 'normal' cull dairy cattle were analysed microbiologically for total viable counts (tvc), Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli o157, Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter species. Overall the counts of Enterobacteriaceae and tvc were higher in the animals slaughtered on farms, particularly in the spleen. One 'normal' animal yielded E coli O157, and one yielded Campylobacter jejuni, and eight of the cattle slaughtered on farms yielded C jejuni and five yielded S enterica.