五味子提取物对低脂系肉仔鸡肉质的影响

本试验采用单因子试验设计,将144羽1日龄健康、体重均一的低脂系肉仔鸡随机分为两组,每组6个重复,每个重复12羽。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂添加0.125%五味子提取物组的基础日粮,试验期为8周,研究五味子提取物对低脂系肉仔鸡肉质的影响。结果表明:(1)与对照组相比,五味子提取物组肉仔鸡胸肌纤维密度显著提高,腿肌直径显著降低(P0.05),腿肌纤维密度有升高趋势,胸肌直径有降低趋势;(2)与对照组相比,五味子提取物组胸肌和腿肌的水分、蛋白质与脂肪含量无显著差异(P0.05);(3)五味子提取物显著降低了肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌剪切力(P0.05),胸肌和腿肌pH、红度(a*)、黄度(b*)有升高趋势(P0.05),滴水损失和蒸煮损失有降低趋势(P0.05)。     

母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体品质和肉质的影响

本文旨在研究母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体品质及肉质的影响.试验选用低脂系肉种鸡120羽,随机分成2组,每组60个重复,每个重复1羽,即单笼饲养.在肉种鸡产蛋期产蛋率达到5%进行试验处理,试验分试验组和对照组,试验组代谢能量为对照组的80%孵化后的肉仔鸡按照母体不同能量处理各挑选健康仔鸡,在相同的试验条件下进行饲养,试验期为56 d.结果表明:1)与对照组相比,母体日粮低能量有降低1日龄肉仔鸡体重的趋势,对全期日增重和料重比影响不显著(P＞0.05);2)与对照组相比,母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌的水分、脂肪和蛋白质含量,胸肌率和腹脂率均无显著影响(P＞0.05),但显著增加腿肌率(P＜0.05);3)与对照组相比,母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌的pH、红度、黄度、滴水损失和蒸煮损失均无显著影响(P＞0.05),但pH、红度和黄度值有升高趋势,滴水损失和蒸煮损失有降低趋势,胸肌和腿肌剪切力显著降低(P＜0.05);4)与对照组相比,母体日粮低能量显著提高后代肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌肌纤维密度(P＜0.05),显著降低后代肉仔鸡胸肌和腿肌肌纤维直径(P＜0.05).本试验的研究结果表明:母体日粮低能量对后代肉仔鸡的胴体品质及肉质能产生一定的影响.     

共轭亚油酸对肉仔鸡体组成和肉品品质的影响

本试验旨在探讨日粮添加共轭亚油酸(CLA)对肉仔鸡体组成和肉品品质的影响。240只1日龄肉仔鸡随机分配到4个日粮处理组(0%、0.25%、0.5%和1%CLA),每个处理6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验结果表明:42d时,0.5%和1%CLA组肉仔鸡胸肌率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),1%CLA组肉仔鸡42d腿肌率显著高于对照组,肉仔鸡的腹脂率在各处理之间没有显著差异(P>0.05),1%CLA组肉仔鸡胸肌粗蛋白质粗脂肪比显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。0.5%、1%CLA组肉仔鸡胸肌滴水损失和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P<0.05)。试验结果表明,CLA可改善肉仔鸡屠体性状,增加鸡肉系水力和延长货架存放时间。     

母代鸡日粮不同蛋白水平对后代肌纤维发育及肌肉生成抑制因子基因(MSTN)mRNA表达的影响

旨在研究2个品系母鸡饲喂不同蛋白水平日粮对后代肌纤维发育及肌肉生成抑制因子基因(MSTN)mR-NA表达的影响.试验通过对高、低脂系肉种鸡饲喂3个蛋白水平(分别是NRC肉种鸡饲养标准蛋白水平的80%、100%、120%)的日粮,子代饲喂正常蛋白水平日粮,研究母体效应对后代肌纤维发育的影响.结果表明:①母代高蛋白日粮可显著提高子代1日龄肉仔鸡初生体质量(P<0.05),但屠宰日龄肉仔鸡体质量各组间差异不显著(P>0.05).②随着母代日粮蛋白水平的降低,子代胸肌肌纤维直径逐渐减小,且低蛋白组显著低于正常蛋白和高蛋白组(P<0.05),2个品系间差异不显著(P>0.05).③随着母代日粮蛋白水平的降低,胸肌肌纤维密度逐渐增加,且低蛋白组显著高于正常蛋白组和高蛋白组(P<0.05),2个品系间差异不显著(P>0.05).④母代高蛋白日粮有降低MSTN mRNA表达量的趋势,但未达显著水平(P>0.05),低脂系肉仔鸡高蛋白组21日龄胸肌MSTN mRNA表达量显著低于正常蛋白组和低蛋白组(P<0.05).结果表明,母代高蛋白日粮可提高后代初生体质量,且高蛋白日粮有降低胸肌中MSTN mRNA表达量的趋势;母代低蛋白日粮可显著降低后代肌纤维直径提高肌纤维密度,从而改善肌肉品质.品系对肌纤维无显著影响.     

日粮中添加谷氨酰胺对肉仔鸡肉品质和抗氧化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究外源添加谷氨酰胺(Gln)对肉仔鸡肉品质的影响,并对肌肉中风味物质和抗氧化指标进行分析,探讨其对肉质的影响机理.选用1日龄艾维茵肉仔鸡360羽,随机分成4组(每组6个重复,每个重复15羽),对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂在基础日粮中分别添加了0.5%、1.0%、1.5%谷氨酰胺的试验日粮.于42日龄进行屠宰取样,测定各项指标.结果表明,与对照组相比,各试验组鸡的肌肉系水力和pH均有所提高(P>0.05),皮脂厚和肌间脂肪宽度有所降低(P>0.05);肌肉中胶原蛋白含量显著增加(P<0.05);胸肌中必需氨基酸和鲜味氨基酸含量都显著增加(P<0.05),谷氨酸和苯丙氨酸含量亦显著增加(P<0.05);1.0%和1.5%添加组肌苷酸含量有所提高(P>0.05);1.0%Gln组胸肌中丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P<0.05),各试验组胸肌中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力有升高的趋势(P>0.05);0.5%和1.0%Gln组血清中SOD和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力显著提高(P<0.05).以上表明,日粮添加Gln可改善肉仔鸡肉品质,提高鸡肉的鲜味和抗氧化能力,以0.5%的Gln添加量效果最佳.     

脱氢表雄酮对AA肉种鸡生产性能和肌纤维发育的影响

为探讨母源性添加DHEA对子生理机能影响的母体效应机制,本试验选用100羽16周龄AA种母鸡随机分成对照组、低剂量试验组、中剂量试验组和高剂量试验组,每组25只。于34周龄开始在饲料中添加DHEA,剂量分别为0、25、50和100 mg.kg-1,连续饲喂7周,期间记录每天的产蛋数并称重。在试验的第49天禁饲12 h,宰杀各组鸡。采集血液、腹脂、左侧胸肌和腿肌,计算产蛋率、平均蛋重、腹脂率、相对胸肌重和相对腿肌重。测定血清中尿酸(UA)和肌酐(Cr)含量。取腿肌和胸肌制作冰冻组织切片,测定肌纤维直径和密度。结果表明,与对照组相比,低剂量组母鸡产蛋率极显著升高(P0.01),中剂量组和高剂量组则极显著降低(P0.01);试验组平均蛋重差异不显著(P0.05);高剂量组母鸡的相对腿肌重显著升高(P0.05),而低剂量组和中剂量组差异不显著(P0.05);试验组腹脂率和相对胸肌重量差异不显著(P0.05);低剂量组血清UA含量极显著升高(P0.01),中剂量组有升高趋势,高剂量组显著升高(P0.05);中剂量组和高剂量组血清Cr含量没有显著变化(P0.05),低剂量组极显著升高(P0.01);3个剂量组AA肉种鸡胸肌肌纤维直径和密度均没有显著变化(P0.05);低剂量组腿肌肌纤维直径没有显著变化(P0.05),中剂量组显著减小(P0.05),高剂量组极显著减小(P0.01);低剂量组腿肌肌纤维密度没有显著变化(P0.05),中剂量组显著增大(P0.05),高剂量组极显著增大(P0.01)。     

日粮添加中药富硒酵母对鸡肉品质的影响

取1日龄健康闽中麻鸡396羽,随机分为4组,每组99羽,组内设3个重复,每个重复33羽,Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组在日粮中分别添加0.2%、0.3%、0.4%的中药富硒酵母。于49 d后试验鸡颈静脉放血致死,取胸肌和腿肌进行肉品质分析,以研究中药富硒酵母对闽中麻鸡肌肉品质的影响。结果:与对照组相比较,试验组胸肌肌肉的滴水损失率极显著降低(P<0.01),肌肉红色度和粗蛋白含量极显著提高(P<0.01);肌肉含水率、肌纤维直径显著降低(P<0.05),黄色度、肌纤维密度和粗脂肪含量显著提高(P<0.05);肌肉pH值变化不显著(P>0.05)。腿肌肌肉的滴水损失率、肌纤维直径较对照组极显著降低(P<0.01),肌肉的红色度和肌纤维密度极显著提高(P<0.01);肌肉含水率显著降低(P<0.05),肌肉粗脂肪和粗蛋白含量显著提高(P<0.05);黄色度和pH值变化不显著(P>0.05)。表明日粮添加中药富硒酵母能够改善闽中麻鸡肉品质,以0.4%效果最为显著。     

饲粮中添加超氧化物歧化酶模拟物对肉仔鸡肌纤维特性及肌肉超氧化物歧化酶活性的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加超氧化物歧化酶模拟物(SODm)对肉仔鸡肌纤维特性及肌肉超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的影响。试验选取1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡360只,随机分为6组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。各组分别饲喂SODm水平为0(对照)、1.0‰、1.5‰、2.0‰、2.5‰、3.0‰的试验饲粮,试验期为42 d。结果表明,各组肉仔鸡生长性能指标无显著差异(P0.05)。1.0‰SODm组肉仔鸡胸肌纤维密度显著高于其他各组(P0.05),1.5‰SODm组肉仔鸡胸肌纤维直径显著高于除2.0‰SODm组外的其他各组(P0.05)。1.5‰SODm组肉仔鸡腿肌肌纤维密度显著高于其他各组(P0.05),1.5‰SODm组肉仔鸡腿肌肌纤维直径显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。2.0‰SODm组肉仔鸡胸肌剪切力显著低于对照组(P0.05)。3.0‰SODm组肉仔鸡胸肌SOD活性显著高于其他各组(P0.05),1.5‰SODm组肉仔鸡腿肌SOD活性显著高于除3.0‰SODm组外的其他各组(P0.05)。由此可知,饲粮中添加SODm可以改善肉仔鸡肌纤维特性,提高肌肉中SOD的活性,在一定程度上改善肉品质,同时增强肌肉的抗氧化能力。     

硫代甜菜碱对肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体品质和脂肪代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加硫代甜菜碱(DMPT)对肉仔鸡生长性能,胴体品质和脂肪代谢的影响.选取360只1日龄健康AA肉仔鸡随机分为6组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡,第1～5组为试验组,分别在基础日粮中添加400、800、1 200、1 600、2 000 mg/kg DMPT,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验期为42 d.结果表明:与对照组相比,试验组平均日增重(第2～4组)显著升高(P<0.05),料重比(第2～4组)显著降低(P<0.05),屠体重(第3组)显著升高(P<0.05),腹脂率(第1、3组),肌间脂宽(第3组)和皮脂厚(第2～5组)显著降低(P<0.05);胸肌(第3、4组)和腿肌(第3组)肌内脂肪的含量极显著升高(P<0.01);血清甘油三酯(第3组)、胆同醇(第2、3组)的含量显著降低(P<0.05),游离脂肪酸的含量(第3、4组)、腹脂激素敏感脂肪酶(第2、3组)和血清脂肪酶(第3、4组)活性显著升高(P<0.05).可见,DMPT可促进肉仔鸡生长,改善胴体脂肪分布,而胴体脂肪分布的变化可能与脂肪酶活性的变化有关.     

种鸡及子代肉仔鸡饲粮添加外源肌苷酸对子代肉仔鸡生长性能、肉品质及相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在研究种鸡及子代肉仔鸡饲粮添加外源肌苷酸(IMP)对子代肉仔鸡生长性能、肉品质及相关基因表达的影响。选取遗传背景相同、体重相近、产蛋率达到5%的20周龄健康爱拔益加(AA)种鸡864羽,随机分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复72羽。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中添加0.5%肌苷酸,试验期30 d。试验结束前1周,母鸡产蛋率到达高峰期,连续收集7 d种蛋,共3 700枚种蛋孵化,孵化结束后,依据母代分组情况,选取孵化所得1日龄健康子代肉仔鸡3 000羽,分成4组,分别记为II(母代饲喂基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸,子代饲喂基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸)、IN(母代饲喂基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸,子代饲喂基础饲粮)、NI(母代饲喂基础饲粮,子代饲喂基础饲粮+0.5%肌苷酸)和NN组(母代饲喂基础饲粮,子代饲喂基础饲粮),每组6个重复,每个重复125羽。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)与NN组相比,II、IN和NI组子代肉仔鸡的平均日增重、平均日采食量和料重比均无显著差异(P0.05)。2)与NN组相比,II、IN和NI组子代肉仔鸡胸肌率和腿肌率均无显著差异(P0.05);II组腹脂率显著高于NI组(P0.05)。3)与NN组相比,II、IN和NI组子代肉仔鸡胸肌、腿肌的红度(a*)和黄度(b*)值均无显著差异(P0.05),II组胸肌的亮度(L*)值显著降低(P0.05);IN和NI组胸肌和腿肌pH45 min显著提高(P0.05),IN和NI组胸肌pH24 h显著提高(P0.05),II、IN和NI组腿肌pH24 h显著升高(P0.05)。4)与NN组相比,II、IN和NI组21和42日龄胸肌和腿肌的谷氨酰胺磷酸核糖焦磷酸酰胺转移酶(GPAT)基因相对表达量没有显著差异(P0.05),21日龄NI组胸肌和IN组腿肌的腺苷琥珀酸裂解酶(ADSL)基因相对表达量显著提高(P0.05),42日龄II和IN组胸肌的ADSL基因相对表达量显著提高(P0.05)。以上结果提示,种鸡及子代肉仔鸡饲粮添加外源肌苷酸对子代肉仔鸡生长性能、屠宰性能无显著影响;能够提高肌肉pH,降低胸肌L*值,提高胸肌ADSL基因表达量,在一定程度上能够提高子代肉仔鸡肉品质。     

拴系与散栏饲养方式对肉牛屠宰性能及肉品质的影响

本研究从动物福利的角度出发,探索拴系式饲养与散栏饲养对肉牛屠宰性能及肉品质量的影响。选择体重接近(220±9.78)kg、(9±0.57)月龄、健康无病的16头西门塔尔杂交改良育肥公牛随机分为2组,每组8头牛。拴系式饲养为对照组,散栏饲养为试验组。预试期为7 d,正试期84 d。结果表明:散养组眼肌面积、熟肉率及肉样超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量显著高于拴系组(P<0.05),而宰后1 h pH值以及肾脂和大网膜脂肪重均显著低于拴系组(P<0.05),其他屠宰性能及肉品质指标未出现显著差异(P<0.05)。     

沙子岭猪肉质性状与肉的成分测定

结合沙子岭猪肥育试验,在屠宰测定时分别取样测定了高低营养水平组的肉质、肉的化学成分、肌肉中氨基酸含量及肌纤维特性。结果表明,所测的各项指标(肉质性状6个、化学成分4项、氨基酸15种、肌纤维2项),高低营养水平组间无显著差异(P>0.05)。与其它猪种比较发现,沙子岭猪具有pH值适宜、肉色鲜红(正常)、系水力高、熟肉率高、贮存损失少、肌纤维细、肌内脂肪含量适中、氨基酸营养价值较高等许多特点。建议以肌肉酸度、肉色、系水力、肌纤维细度、肌内脂肪作为评定沙子岭猪肉质的主要指标。     

Comparative Study on Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Different Month Old of Xinjiang Brown Cattle Steers

In this research,12 heads of 28 to 30 months (low months age group) and 8 heads of 32 to 34 months (high months age group) Xinjiang Brown cattle steers which fed in the same mode of nutrition were chose for the slaughter test,in which the carcass traits,nutrient composition and some edible quality index were measured and comparative analyzed,a research which through comparative analysis the carcass traits and meat quality of nutritional components of different months of Xinjiang Brown cattle steers was carried out.The results indicated that the marbling,carcass grade,fat,meat color of high months age group were better than that of low months age group,the traits of the low months age group on fat color,moisture,protein,cooking loss and shear force value were better than that of high months age group,and there were significant difference on the traits of fat and meat color L^* between the two groups (P<0.05),while the differences of other traits between them were not significant (P>0.05);As high-grade beef,in addition to the traits of meat color and pH value of the chunk roll,tenderloin and striploin,each site of the meat traits on the fat,protein,moisture,cooking loss,shear force value indicators were all better than other parts,and showed the best of nutritional value and edible quality.28 to 34 months of Xinjiang Brown cattle steers could produce high-grade beef,the meat could be used as the raw materials of steak and boiled beef.     

放牧与舍饲饲养方式对小尾寒羊肉品质的影响

本研究旨在探讨放牧和舍饲两种饲养方式对小尾寒羊肉品质的影响.将100只2月龄雄性断奶羔羊随机分为放牧组与舍饲组,至8月龄进行屠宰,比较两组羔羊肉的营养成分、氨基酸含量、肉色、pH、嫩度及产肉性能.结果 表明,放牧组羊肉粗蛋白和水分含量显著高于舍饲组羊肉(P＜0.05).舍饲组羊肉干物质显著高于放牧羊肉(P＜0.05),...     

不同月龄新疆褐牛阉牛胴体性状及肉品质比较研究

选择相同营养模式下低月龄组(28~30月龄)12头、高月龄组(32~34月龄)8头新疆褐牛阉牛进行屠宰,分别对胴体性状、营养成分、部分食用品质指标进行测定和比较分析,旨在探索新疆褐牛阉牛生产高档牛肉的适宜月龄。结果表明,高月龄组大理石花纹、胴体等级、脂肪、肉色均优于低月龄组,低月龄组脂肪色泽、水分、蛋白质、蒸煮损失、剪切力值优于高月龄组,且脂肪、肉色L^*值差异显著(P<0.05),其余组间差异均不显著(P>0.05);上脑、里脊、外脊作为高档牛肉,除肉色、pH外,脂肪、蛋白质、水分、蒸煮损失、剪切力值指标均优于其他部位,表现出了极好的营养价值和食用品质。28~34月龄阶段的新疆褐牛阉牛可以生产高档牛肉,其肉品都可作为牛排和涮牛肉的原材料。     

饲粮精氨酸与丙氨酸对环江香猪肉质、氨基酸组成及抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮精氨酸与丙氨酸对环江香猪肉质、氨基酸组成及抗氧化功能的影响,选用体重为 ２８～３３ｋｇ的环江香猪 １６头（公母各占 １／２）,按体重相近原则随机分为 ２组,每组 ４个重复,每个重复 ２头猪。丙氨酸组在基础饲粮中外源添加 １．７１％的 Ｌ－丙氨酸（等氮对照）,精氨酸组在基础饲粮中外源添加 ０．８３％的 Ｌ－精氨酸和 ０．８８％的米糠。试验期为 ４５ｄ。结果表明：与丙氨酸组相比,精氨酸组瘦肉率显著提高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,脂肪率和背最长肌中粗脂肪含量显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;肝脏丝氨酸、缬氨酸、亮氨酸和异亮氨酸含量显著提高（Ｐ＜０．０５）;血浆过氧化氢酶活性显著提高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,丙二醛含量显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）。上述结果提示,饲粮中适宜水平的精氨酸可提高环江香猪瘦肉率,降低脂肪率,增强机体抗氧化功能,从而改善部分肉品质指标。     

Evaluation of the risks of shedding Salmonellae and other potential pathogens by therapy dogs fed raw diets in Ontario and Alberta

Dogs that participate in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), often called 'therapy dogs', commonly interact with humans whose immune systems are not functioning optimally. The advisability of feeding raw meat (including poultry) to these animals remains a highly contentious issue, in spite of increasing evidence that raw meat is frequently contaminated with Salmonella. We set out to determine if consuming raw meat influences the risk of therapy dogs shedding Salmonella and other pathogens. Two hundred healthy therapy dogs from Ontario and Alberta were enrolled. Between May 2005 and November 2006, fecal specimens were collected from each dog every 2 months for 1 year, along with a log of places visited, antimicrobial use within the home, dog health status and diet. Specimens were cultured for Salmonella, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum cephalosporinase (ESC) Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile. Forty (20%) of the dogs were reported to have been fed raw meat at some point during the year. The incidence rate of Salmonella shedding in the raw meat-fed dogs was 0.61 cases/dog-year, compared with 0.08 cases/dog-year in dogs that were not fed raw meat (P < 0.001). Controlling for therapy dog group, the repeated measures, and pig ear consumption and diarrhoea in the 2 months prior to specimen submission, dogs that consumed raw meat were significantly more likely to test positive for Salmonellaat least once during the year than dogs that did not eat raw meat [odds ratio (OR) 22.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1-58.8; P < 0.001]. Specific Salmonella serovars were more common among dogs that consumed raw meat versus those that did not include S. Typhimurium, S. Heidelberg and S. Kentucky. Raw meat consumption was also significantly associated with shedding ESC E. coli (OR 17.2; 95% CI 9.4-32.3). No associations between C. difficile, MRSA or VRE and consumption of raw meat were detected. We recommend that dogs fed raw meat should be excluded from AAI programmes, particularly when the programmes involve interaction with humans at high risk of infection or adverse sequelae attributable to infection. Furthermore, although AAI dogs may not be representative of the general population of dogs, we also recommend that feeding of raw meat to dogs is to be avoided in homes where immunocompromised people live.     

Lack of interrelationship between the effects of dietary factors and food withdrawal on carcase quality of broiler chickens

1. Four factorial experiments were carried out to determine whether there is any interrelationship between dietary energy-to-protein (E:P) ratio (experiments 1, 2 and 3) or pelleting the diet (experiment 4) and the duration of food withdrawal (FW), in their effect on carcase quality of broiler male chickens. The quality was evaluated by yields of carcase and breast meat, abdominal fat pad size, and the content and composition of the fat in the meat. The effect of sex on the response to FW was also determined in experiment 3 and that of age in experiment 4. 2. The diet with an E:P ratio higher than recommended decreased the weights of carcase and breast meat significantly (P 0.05) in 2 of the 3 experiments, and consistently increased the size of the abdominal fat pad and the fat content in thigh, but not in breast meat. Abdominal fat pad and the fat in meat of birds fed on this diet contained a significantly higher amount of oleic acid and a lower amount of linoleic acid, than the fat of birds fed on the diets with the recommended and the low E:P ratios. The pellets increased significantly the weights of carcase and breast meat and the relative size of abdominal fat pad. 3. FW for 24 h decreased significantly the weight at slaughter in all 4 experiments, carcase weight in 3 experiments, and breast weight in 1 experiment. However, it did not affect the relative size of the abdominal fat pad, the fat content in thigh and breast meat, and the composition of fatty acids in these tissues and in abdominal fat. None of the variables mentioned was affected significantly by the interaction between the dietary factors evaluated, sex or age of the birds on the one hand, and FW on the other hand. 4. It is concluded that the effect of 24 h of FW on weight at slaughter, carcase and breast meat weights and on fattening, is not affected by dietary E:P ratio, pelleting the diet, or sex and age of the broilers.     

Effects of low protein diet and low protein diet supplemented with synthetic essential amino acids on meat quality of broiler chickens

We investigated the effects of a low crude protein (CP) diet and a low CP diet supplemented with synthetic essential amino acids (EAA) on the meat quality of broiler chickens. Twenty‐one‐day‐old chickens were assigned to one of three diets: control, low CP (LCP), or low CP supplemented with EAA (ELCP). The chickens received these diets for 10 days. The shear force value (SFV) and free glutamate content of the Pectoralis major muscle were measured as indicators of the meat toughness and taste. The collagen and crude fat content of the muscle and the cross‐sectional area of myofibers were measured to evaluate the effects of the LCP and ELCP diets on meat toughness. The SFV of the ELCP group was 47% lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01). However, the LCP diet did not affect the SFV. The collagen and crude fat content were not affected by the dietary treatment. The cross‐sectional area was lower in the LCP and ELCP groups (P < 0.05) than the control group. The free glutamate content of muscle was not affected by the dietary treatment. Thus, a low CP diet supplemented with EAA is an effective means of producing tender meat.