Tissue growth and development in crossbred lambs sired by ten breeds

The relative growth of carcass tissues and the partitioning of fat between depots was examined in a total of 1400 crossbred lambs from the Meat and Livestock Commission's (MLC) Ram Breed Evaluation. The evaluation was carried out over a five-year period in 10 commercial flocks of Scottish Blackface, Scotch Haltbred (Border Leicester × North Country Cheviot) and Mule (Bluefaced Leicester × Swaledale) ewes. An average of 43 sires from each of the following sire breeds was involved: Border Leicester, Dorset Down, Hampshire Down, Ile de France, North Country Cheviot, Oxford Down, Southdown, Suffolk, Texel and Wensleydale. Lambs of each cross were slaughtered over a range of 9 kg selected on the basis of estimated adult body size to cover the fatness range within which most lambs are slaughtered in Great Britain.Flocks were analysed as two groups: early flocks, from which most lambs were slaughtered before October, and late flocks. Results for early flocks are given in this Abstract. Results for late flocks were similar but they tended to fatten less quickly.Allometric growth coefficients for tissues on side (half carcass) weight were: lean, 0.77±0.015 (S.E.); total separable fat, 1.82±0.039; bone, 0.51±0.025. Perinephric and retroperitoneal fat, and subcutaneous fat, grew relatively faster than total separable fat: 1.16±0.028 and 1.16±0.011, respectively. Intermuscular fat grew relatively more slowly: 0.80±0.012. Sire breed differences were recorded (P<0.001) for the weight of each of the tissues at equal side weight. Texel crosses had the highest lean weight and Southdown crosses the lowest.At the same total lean weight, Texel crosses tended to have less lean in the loin and more in some of the other joints, especially the shoulder, than other crosses.     

Evaluation of Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale breeds of sheep: IV. Survival, growth, and carcass traits of F1 lambs

The objectives of this study were to estimate effects of sire breed (Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale), and dam breed (Composite III and Northwestern whiteface) on survival, growth, carcass, and composition traits of F1 lambs. Effects of mating season (August, October, and December) were estimated for survival and growth traits. Data were collected on 4,320 F1 lambs sired by 102 purebred rams over 3 yr. Birth weight was recorded on all lambs, and subsequent BW were adjusted to 56 (weaning), 70, and 140 d of age (n = 3,713, 3,654, and 3,579 observations, respectively). Survival of dam-reared progeny (n = 4,065) to weaning was recorded. Each year, wethers from October matings were slaughtered in three groups at 25, 29, and 33 wk of age to obtain carcass data (n = 546). In addition to standard carcass traits, resistive impedance measurements were recorded on the warm carcass to predict lean mass. Dam breed (P = 0.37) did not influence lamb survival to weaning, but sire breed (P < 0.05) was important. Romanov-sired lambs excelled in survival rate to weaning (94.1%), followed by Finn-sheep (93.0%), Texel (90.7%), Dorset (90.0%), and Montadale (89.1%) sired progeny. Lower (P < 0.01) postweaning growth rate was observed for Texel (267 g/d) and Finnsheep (272 g/d) sired progeny than for Dorset (285 g/d), Montadale (282 g/d), and Romanov (278 g/d) sired progeny. Sire breed and dam breed were generally significant for most carcass traits. Breed differences in distribution of carcass fat and carcass shape were detected; however, carcass composition was similar for all sire breeds when compared at a constant carcass weight. When evaluated at a constant 12th-rib fat depth, carcasses of lambs from Finnsheep, Romanov, and Texel sires produced 1 to 1.5 kg less (P < 0.001) predicted lean mass per lamb than carcasses of lambs from Dorset and Montadale sires. These experimental results provide information about the direct breed effects for survival, growth, and carcass traits of these breeds and their potential use in crossbreeding systems.     

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.     

Progeny test of ram lambs selected for low ultrasonic backfat thickness or high post-weaning growth rate

Ram lambs were selected from a total of 1206 lambs in 8 industry Coopworth ram breeding flocks. Eight rams were selected randomly (one from each flock), 8 were selected on the basis of a low live weight-adjusted ultrasonic backfat thickness (lean) and 8 for a high post-weaning growth rate (PW gain). Rams from a Coopworth line specially selected and bred for low ultrasonic backfat (lean selection) were also included in the progeny test in which the rams were single sire mated to 1.5 year old Coopworth ewes. Birth and weaning weights were recorded for a total of 474 female and 371 male progeny. The males (progeny of 31 sires) were slaughtered between January and April at an average hot carcass weight (HCW) of 12.56 kg and carcass growth and carcass fatness parameters recorded. The carcass composition data were analysed using the allometric equation by covariance on HCW. The adjusted mean values of carcass water content were significantly higher for the progeny of the lean selection rams (7.58 kg) than forthe other 3 sire classes (7.49, 7.46 and 7.41 for the lean, PW gain and controls respectively) indicating that they were leaner. Other indicators of carcass fatness also revealed marked differences between the sire classes. There were also marked effects of slaughter date with lambs slaughtered earlier being leaner (after adjustment for HCW) than lambs slaughtered later in the season. The results indicate that selection of sires on the basis of ultrasonic backfat thickness or post weaning live weight gain can be expected to result in the production of leaner lamb carcasses.     

Evaluation of alternative measures of pork carcass composition

Carcass and live measurements of 203 pigs representing seven genetic populations and four target live weights (100, 114, 128, and 152 kg) were used to evaluate alternative measures of carcass composition. Measures of carcass lean (fat tissue-free lean, FFLM; lipid-free soft tissue, LFSTIS; and dissected lean in the four lean cuts, DL), fat (total carcass fat tissue, TOFAT), and lipid mass (soft tissue lipid, STLIP) were evaluated. Overall, LFSTIS was 22.8% greater than FFLM (47.8 vs 38.9 kg) and TOFAT was 30% greater than STLIP (38.5 vs 29.6 kg). The allometric growth coefficients relative to carcass weight were different for the measures: b = 0.776, 0.828, 0.794, 1.37, and 1.49 for FFLM, LFSTIS, DL, TOFAT, and STLIP, respectively. At 90 kg carcass weight, the predicted growth of FFLM, LFSTIS, TOFAT, and STLIP was 0.314, 0.420, 0.553, and 0.446 kg/kg increase in carcass weight. The difference between FFLM and LFSTIS, representing nonlipid components of the carcass fat tissue, was greater for barrows than for gilts (9.2 vs 8.6 kg). Lipid-free soft tissue mass was predicted more accurately from carcass or live animal measurements than FFLM with smaller relative RSD (4.6 vs 6.5% of their mean values). The alternative measures of carcass composition were evaluated as predictors of empty body protein (MTPRO) and lipid (MTLIP) mass. Empty body protein was predicted with similar accuracy (R2 = 0.74 to 0.81) from either DL, FFLM, LFSTIS, or ribbed carcass measurements. Empty body lipid was predicted more accurately from TOFAT (R2 = 0.92) or STLIP (R2 = 0.93) than ribbed carcass measurements (R2 = 0.88). Although the alternative measures of lean mass (LFSTIS vs FFLM) and lipid mass (TOFAT vs STLIP) were highly related to each other (r = 0.93 to 0.98), they had different relative growth rates (allometric coefficients) and thus cannot be predicted as linear functions of the similar alternative variable without significant weight group biases. From the 100- to 152-kg target weight groups, gilts gained 12.9% greater FFLM and 12.1% greater MTPRO but only 4.4% greater LFSTIS than barrows. Fat-free lean mass is more precise as a measure of muscle growth and as a predictor of lysine requirements. Lipid-free soft tissue can be obtained more quickly and predicted more accurately from carcass or live animal measurements.     

Influence of dietary palm oil supplementation on serum lipid metabolites, carcass characteristics, and lipid composition of carcass tissues of growing ram and ewe lambs.

The objective of this research was to determine the influence of dietary palm oil supplementation on carcass characteristics and lipid composition of tissues from growing lambs. Twenty-eight Suffolk x Hampshire lambs were weaned at 60 d of age (average 36 kg BW) and assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement consisting of diet (control [NPO] or 10.6% added dietary palm oil [PO]) and sex (ram vs ewe). The NPO diet (77% forage and 23% concentrate) contained 11.2% CP and 2.66 Mcal of ME/kg. Palm oil replaced molasses in the PO diet. Lambs were individually given ad libitum access to feed for 60 d to a final BW average of 50.1 kg. Lipid composition of the longissimus muscle and corresponding subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue was determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Lambs fed PO were fatter (P less than .01) than lambs fed NPO (.77 vs .56 cm, s.c. fat). Diet had no effect on cholesterol content of lean tissue; however, feeding PO increased the saturated fatty acids of lean tissue. The s.c. fat from lambs fed PO had less (P less than .01) cholesterol (64.79 vs 89.67 mg/100 g) and more saturated fatty acids than that from lambs fed NPO. Ewes were fatter (P less than .01) than rams, yet they had less cholesterol content in the s.c. adipose tissue (68.71 vs 85.74 mg/100 g). High amounts of dietary palm oil fed to growing lambs caused changes in fatty acid deposition and cholesterol metabolism and may be a useful investigative tool to study lipid metabolism in growing ruminants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Genotype and treatment biases in estimation of carcass lean of swine.

Carcasses of 181 barrows, representing five genotypes, 1) H x HD, 2) SYN, 3) HD x L[YD], 4) L x YD, and 5) Y x L (H = Hampshire, D = Duroc, SYN = synthetic terminal sire line, L = Landrace, and Y = Yorkshire), and two levels of ractopamine (RAC) treatment (0 and 20 ppm) were completely dissected and the data were used to examine genotype and treatment (RAC) biases in estimation of fat-standardized lean weight and to evaluate accuracies and precisions realized by use of equations based on variables derived from different technologies. Independent variables used to establish regression equations represented technologies of direct carcass measurements, optical probe data, TOBEC (total body electrical conductivity) readings, and dissected (DHMLN) and fat-standardized (FSHMLN) ham lean. Genotype bias existed when any equation from a single technology was used and was minimized by combining FSHMLN with one TOBEC reading, carcass length, and the probe measurement of 10th rib fat depth. Large RAC biases appeared when equations from direct carcass measurements or optical probe data were used and were minimized by an equation using either DHMLN or FSHMLN. A practical equation with relatively high R2 value and small genotype and RAC biases were developed by combining TOBEC readings with direct carcass measurements of 10th rib fat depth and warm carcass weight.     

Prediction of swine carcass composition by total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC)

An experiment was conducted to determine prediction equations that used readings for total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) in the model for estimation of total fat-free lean and total fat weight in the pork carcass. Ultrasound measurements of live hogs were used to select 32 gilts that represented a range in weight, muscling, and fatness. The TOBEC readings were recorded on warm carcass sides, chilled carcass sides, and the untrimmed ham from the left carcass side. Physical dissection and chemical analyses determined fat-free lean and fat weight of the carcass. All of the ham tissues were analyzed separately from the remainder of the carcass tissues to incorporate ham measurements for prediction of total fat-free lean and total fat weight in the entire carcass. Prediction equations were developed using stepwise regression procedures. An equation that used a warm carcass TOBEC reading in the model was determined to be the best warm TOBEC equation (R2 = 0.91; root mean square error = 0.81). A three-variable equation that used chilled carcass TOBEC reading, chilled carcass temperature, and carcass length in the model was determined to be the best chilled TOBEC equation (R2 = 0.93; root mean square error = 0.73). A four-variable equation that included chilled carcass side weight, untrimmed ham TOBEC reading, ham temperature, and fat thickness beneath the butt face of the ham in the model was determined to be the best equation overall (R2 = 0.95; root mean square error = 0.65). The TOBEC and the fat-free lean weight of the ham are excellent predictors of total carcass fat-free lean weight.     

Feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, and sensory quality of lambs, with or without prolific ancestry, fed diets with different protein supplements.

Data were collected on 130 intact male lambs fed diets based on roughages supplemented with fish meal, soybean meal, or corn gluten-blood meal and slaughtered at 43 kg live weight. A nonsupplemented group served as a control. The lambs represented Romanov (R), Finnsheep (F), a new breed developed in Canada (DLS), Coopworth (C), and Suffolk (S), three first crosses of DLS with R, F, and Booroola Merino (B), and their backcrosses to DLS. Supplemented lambs consumed 16 to 22% less (P less than .05) silage than control lambs. Average daily gains of lambs fed fish meal (226 g) and corn gluten-blood meal (217 g) were higher and feed conversion ratio (4.99 and 5.11) lower than that of lambs fed soybean meal (189 g and 5.48) or control (186 g and 5.76) diets (P less than .05). The cost of feed per kilogram of gain or per kilogram of lean produced was similar in the four treatments but was between C $.23 and .65 cheaper in the protein-supplemented groups when the number of days to reach slaughter weight was considered. The effect of diet on carcass traits and meat quality were minimal. Meat of lambs fed the three protein supplements was less juicy than that of control lambs. With a few exceptions, most of the significant differences among genetic groups in growth, carcass, and sensory traits were mainly between prolific (R and F) and meat-type breeds (C, S, and DLS). Gain in weight was highest in S lambs (199 g/d), but F and R first crosses were the youngest at slaughter (196 and 198 d). The F lambs had higher dressing and kidney fat percentages than meat-type breeds. The DLS lambs had the largest longissimus muscle area (14.0 cm2), whereas C had the smallest (10.7 cm2). The B crosses had larger longissimus muscle area than R and F crosses. The R lambs had more lean and less fat in the 12th rib, whereas C lambs had the lowest lean and a high bone percentage. The toughest and the most tender roasts were those of R and B crossbred lambs, respectively. Roasts from F lambs had the most intense lamb flavor.     

Effects of dietary canola seed and soy lecithin in high-forage diets on cholesterol content and fatty acid composition of carcass tissues of growing ram lambs.

Phospholipids (soy lecithin) are important in the emulsification of lipids and may escape the rumen and influence the absorption of fatty acids in the small intestine. Our objectives were to determine the influence of dietary canola seed (high in unsaturated fatty acids) and soy lecithin in high-forage diets on total lipid content, cholesterol content, and fatty acid composition of carcass tissues. Forty-three Hampshire or Suffolk-sired ram lambs were weaned at 60 d of age (average 23.6 kg of BW) and assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of 1) basal diet (control = BAS), 2) BAS with 6% whole canola seed (CS), 3) BAS with 4.9% deoiled soy lecithin (SL), and 4) BAS with 6% CS and 4.8% SL (CSSL). The BAS diet consisted of 70% forage and 30% concentrate and contained 15% CP and 2.2 Mcal of ME/kg. Lambs were individually fed and given ad libitum access to feed to an average final BW of 52.1 kg. Longissimus muscle (LM) from the left side of each carcass posterior to the 13th rib (12 to 15 cm in length) was excised and the lean (LM) and corresponding subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue were separated, frozen, and later used for lipid analysis by gas-liquid chromatography. In lean tissue, feeding lambs CS reduced (P less than .01) the proportion of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and feeding SL increased (P less than .01) the proportion of total PUFA. In s.c. adipose tissue, lambs fed CS had lower (P less than .01) saturated fatty acids (SFA) and lambs fed SL had increased (P less than .03) PUFA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Yield grade and carcass weight effects on the cutability of lamb carcasses fabricated into innovative style subprimals.

Lamb carcass (n = 100) were selected from USDA yield grades (YG) 2, 3, and 4 and carcass weight (CW) groups 20.4 to 24.9, 25.0 to 29.5, and 29.6 to 34.0 kg. Lamb carcass were fabricated into semiboneless and boneless subprimals and trimmed to three s.c. fat trim levels: .64, .25, and .00 cm of fat remaining. Innovative subprimals were fabricated and yields were calculated for the subprimals and dissectible components (lean, bone, connective tissue, external fat, and seam fat) from each of the various subprimals. Carcass weight as a main effect in a two-way analysis of variance did not account for a significant amount of the variation in yield among trimmed subprimals or the percentage of the dissectible components, but USDA YG was a significant main effect in determining variation in yield for many of the subprimals or dissectible components. Muscle seaming of shoulders and legs and removal of excessive tails on the loin and rack resulted in a majority of the seam fat being removed from these cuts. Dissection data clearly showed that seam fat is a major component of rack and shoulder cuts and with increasing fatness or higher numerical yield grade there are clearly increased amounts of this depot. Increased trimming of external fat magnifies and draws more attention to the amount of seam fat remaining. Production of heavy, lean lambs would be more useful in an innovative type of program because of the larger-sized muscles. Heavy, fat lambs would not be as useful because of their decreased yields and excess seam fat located in cuts that cannot be muscled-seamed because of the loss of retail cut integrity. Seam fat was highly correlated to percentage of kidney and pelvic fat and to external fat thickness and with USDA yield grade but was not strongly correlated to carcass weight.     

Genetic Differences in Energy Partitioning in Growing Pigs

Energy partitioning was studied in pigs differing in potential for carcass lean growth and fatty tissue content from 25 to 105 kg body weight, by the means of repeated measures of detailed body composition and individual feed intake. In total, 141 pigs were included from the three genetic groups Norwegian Landrace (lean and efficient), Duroc and Landrace 2 LP (a fat and slow-growing selection line) (LLP). Individual feed consumption was registered, and detailed body composition measured repeatedly by computed tomography. Energy consumption [MJ metabolizable energy (ME) day -1 ] did not differ between the genetic groups. In general, about 40-50% of consumed energy was partitioned to growth. The genetic groups partitioned equal proportions of daily energy consumption to growth (ME GROWTH ) and maintenance (MEm) early and late in the growth period. From 50 to 85 kg body weight Landrace partitioned more to growth and less to maintenance compared with Duroc ( P <0.05). When considering partitioning of ME above maintenance, the genetically fat LLP had the highest net energy retention relative to the heat increment of feeding and was therefore the most efficient, Duroc was in an intermediate position while the lean Landrace had the lowest proportion. The partitioning of ME GROWTH to fatty tissue and carcass lean growth differed between the genetic groups ( P <0.001) according to genetic potential for carcass lean and fatty tissue gain. Increasing proportions were partitioned to fatty tissue growth with increasing body weight. The genetic groups partitioned equal proportions of ME GROWTH to non- fat visceral components (NFVC) growth. MEm varied between 0.65 and 0.68 MJ kg -0.75 day -1 . MEm increased with increasing weight of carcass lean and viscera ( P <0.01), more so in the modern breeds than in the LLP.     

Growth, development, and carcass composition in five genotypes of swine.

An experiment with 127 barrows representing five genotypes, 1) H x HD, 2) SYN, 3) HD x L[YD], 4) L x YD, and 5) Y x L (H = Hampshire, D = Duroc, SYN = synthetic terminal sire line, L = Landrace, and Y = Yorkshire), was conducted to evaluate growth and development of swine from 59 to 127 kg live weight. Animals were allowed ad libitum access to a pelleted finishing diet containing 18.5% CP, .95% lysine, and 10.5% fat, with an energy density of 3,594 kcal of ME/kg. Pigs were serially slaughtered at either 59, 100, 114, or 127 kg live BW. After slaughter, carcasses were chilled and backfat was measured at four locations. The right side of each carcass was fabricated into primal cuts of ham, loin, Boston Butt, picnic, and belly. Composition of each primal cut was determined by physical dissection into lean, fat, bone, and skin. Estimated allometric growth coefficients for carcass length, carcass weight, and longissimus muscle area relative to BW; carcass lean, fat, bone, and skin relative to both BW and carcass weight; and lean in each of the primal cuts relative to total carcass lean did not differ (P greater than .05) among genotypes. Relative to BW, the pooled growth coefficient(s) for carcass weight was (were) greater (P less than .001) than unity, whereas those for carcass length, longissimus muscle area, and backfat at first rib were smaller (P less than .001) than unity. Those for other backfat measurements were close to 1.00. Relative to either BW or carcass weight, the pooled coefficient(s) for fat was (were) greater (P less than .001) than unity, whereas those for lean, bone, and skin were smaller (P less than .001) than unity. Growth of lean, backfat, bone, and skin in the carcass were nearly linearly associated with increases in BW. The increase in fat weight was curvilinear as the pig grew and was accelerated in later growth stages, indicating that carcass fat percentage increased with increased BW.     

Effect of dietary betaine on nutrient utilization and partitioning in the young growing feed-restricted pig

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dietary betaine over a range of concentrations (between 0 and 0.5%) on growth and body composition in young feed-restricted pigs. Betaine is associated with decreased lipid deposition and altered protein utilization in finishing pigs, and it has been suggested that the positive effects of betaine on growth and carcass composition may be greater in energy-restricted pigs. Thirty-two barrows (36 kg, n = 8 pigs per group) were restrictively fed one of four corn-soybean meal-skim milk based diets (18.6% crude protein, 3.23 Mcal ME/kg) and supplemented with 0, 0.125, 0.25, or 0.5% betaine. Feed allotment was adjusted weekly according to BW, such that average feed intake was approximately 1.7 kg for all groups. At 64 kg, pigs were slaughtered and visceral tissue was removed and weighed. Carcasses were chilled for 24 h to obtain carcass measurements. Subsequently, one-half of each carcass and whole visceral tissue were ground for chemical analysis. Linear regression analysis indicated that, as betaine content of the diet was elevated from 0 to 0.5%, carcass fat concentration (P = 0.06), P3 fat depth (P = 0.14) and viscera weight (P = 0.129) were decreased, whereas total carcass protein (P = 0.124), protein deposition rate (P = 0.98), and lean gain efficiency (P = 0.115) were increased. The greatest differences over control pigs were observed in pigs consuming 0.5% betaine, where carcass fat concentration and P3 fat depth were decreased by 10 and 26%, respectively. Other fat depth measurements were not different (P > 0.15) from those of control pigs. In addition, pigs consuming the highest betaine level had a 19% increase in the carcass protein:fat ratio, 23% higher carcass protein deposition rate, and a 24% increase in lean gain efficiency compared with controls. Dietary betaine had no effects (P > 0.15) on growth performance, visceral tissue chemical composition, carcass fat deposition rate, visceral fat and protein deposition rates, or serum urea and ammonia concentrations. These data suggest that betaine alters nutrient partitioning such that carcass protein deposition is enhanced at the expense of carcass fat and in part, visceral tissue.     

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.     

Ractopamine treatment biases in the prediction of pork carcass composition

Carcass and live measurements of 45 barrows were used to evaluate the magnitude of ractopamine (RAC) treatment prediction biases for measures of carcass composition. Barrows (body weight = 69.6 kg) were allotted by weight to three dietary treatments and fed to an average body weight of 114 kg. Treatments were: 1) 16% crude protein, 0.82% lysine control diet (CON); 2) control diet + 20 ppm RAC (RAC16); 3) a phase feeding sequence with 20 ppm RAC (RAC-P) consisting of 18% crude protein (1.08% lysine) during wk 1 and 4, 20% crude protein (1.22% lysine) during wk 2 and 3, 16% crude protein (0.94% lysine) during wk 6, and 16% crude protein (0.82% lysine) during wk 6. The four lean cuts from the right side of the carcasses (n = 15/treatment) were dissected into lean and fat tissue. The other cut soft tissue was collected from the jowl, ribs, and belly. Proximate analyses were completed on these three tissue pools and a sample of fat tissue from the other cut soft tissue. Prediction equations were developed for each of five measures of carcass composition: fat-free lean, lipid-free soft tissue, dissected lean in the four lean cuts, total carcass fat tissue, and soft-tissue lipid mass. Ractopamine treatment biases were found for equations in which midline backfat, ribbed carcass, and live ultrasonic measures were used as single technology sets of measurements. Prediction equations from live or carcass measurements underpredicted the lean mass of the RAC-P pigs and underpredicted the lean mass of the CON pigs. Only 20 to 50% of the true difference in fat-free lean mass or lipid-free soft-tissue mass between the control pigs and pigs fed RAC was predicted from equations including standard carcass measurements. The soft-tissue lipid and total carcass fat mass of RAC-P pigs was overpredicted from the carcass and live ultrasound measurements. Prediction equations including standard carcass measurements with dissected ham lean alone or with dissected loin lean reduced the residual standard deviation and magnitude of biases for the three measures of carcass leanmass. Prediction equations including the percentage of lipid of the other cut soft tissue improved residual standard deviation and reduced the magnitude of biases for total carcass fat mass and soft-tissue lipid. Prediction equations for easily obtained carcass or live ultrasound measures will only partially predict the true effect of RAC to increase carcass leanness. Accurate prediction of the carcass composition of RAC-fed pigs requires some partial dissection, chemical analysis, or alternative technologies.     

Carcass tissue composition in light lambs: Influence of feeding system and prediction equations

Fourty-eight Churra Tensina single male lambs were used to evaluate the effect of different feeding systems on carcass composition and predict the carcass tissue composition from joint composition and carcass measurements. Four treatments were studied: GR, unweaned lambs continuously grazing with ewes; GR + S, the same as the previous group, but lambs had free access to concentrate; DRL-GRE, lambs remained indoors with free access to concentrate and ewes grazed for 8 h/day, thereafter remaining with lambs; and DRL, lambs and ewes were kept in confinement, they had free access to concentrate and dry unifeed respectively. In the DRL-GRE and DRL groups lambs were weaned when 45 days old. Lambs were slaughtered at 22–24 kg live weight. Commercial joints from the half left carcass were obtained, recorded and dissected to determine carcass tissue composition.The feeding system had an effect on the proportion of the carcass tissue composition. GR treatment showed higher muscle (M) (p < 0.05) and bone (B) (p < 0.001) percentages, and a lower total fat (F) percentage (p < 0.001) than the rest of treatments. Hence it revealed higher M/F (p < 0.01) and lower M/B (p < 0.05) and subcutaneous fat/intermuscular fat ratios (SF/IF; p < 0.001). Carcass composition predictions were more accurate for grams than for percentages. In predictions from joint composition, pelvic limb was the most accurate joint for grams (R² = 0.84, R² = 0.68, and R² = 0.77 for muscle, bone, and fat, respectively) as well as for percentage (R² = 0.65, R² = 0.56, and R² = 0.73 for muscle, bone, and fat, respectively). Predictions from carcass measurements were greater in muscle and fat grams (R² = 0.87 and R² = 0.86 for muscle and fat, respectively) than in percentage (R² = 0.58 and R² = 0.73 for muscle and fat, respectively). Equations to predict carcass tissue that include carcass measurements are a simple method to assess accurately saleable muscle yield from different lamb feeding systems without involving carcass damage.     

Body weight and tissue gain in lambs fed an all-concentrate diet and implanted with trenbolone acetate or grazed on alfalfa

Targhee x Hampshire lambs (average BW 23 +/- 1 kg) were used in two experiments to determine the effects of finishing on concentrate with an anabolic implant or forage grazing after concentrate feeding on growth, organ and viscera weights, and carcass tissue accretion. In Exp. 1 and 2 lambs were penned by sex and assigned for slaughter at initial (23 kg), intermediate (37 kg), or end BW (ewes, 47.7; wethers 50.4 kg). From 23 to 37 kg BW, lambs were fed all-concentrate diets in drylot (DL) or grazed on alfalfa (ALF). Experiment 1 was a 2 x 2 factorial with 28 lambs; factors were wether vs ewe lambs and unimplanted vs DL implanted with trenbolone acetate-estradiol benzoate. There were no differences in organ and viscera weights due to implant status. However, ADG (P < .03) and lean gain (P < .02) were greater for implanted than for unimplanted wethers (507 vs 357 g and 1,314 vs 656 g, respectively). Ewes did not respond to the implant. Fat accretion was not affected by implantation. Experiment 2 was a 2 x 3 factorial with 42 lambs; factors were wether vs ewe lambs and drylot during growing and finishing phases (DL-DL) vs drylot during growing and alfalfa grazing during finishing (DL-ALF) vs alfalfa grazing during growing and finishing phases (ALF-ALF). In Exp. 2, ADG of DL-DL lambs was greater (P < .01) than ADG of DL-ALF or ALF-ALF lambs. Lambs on ALF-ALF had smaller (P < .05) livers and rumen/reticulum weights but heavier (P < .04) kidney, omasum, small and large intestine, and cecum weights than those on DL. In Exp. 2, DL-ALF and ALF-ALF lambs had overall hindsaddle lean gain equal to those on DL-DL with less mesenteric fat and 100 g less separable fat. Finishing lambs on alfalfa reduced fat accretion without decreasing lean accretion, whereas trenbolone acetate implants for lambs fed concentrate increased BW gain and lean accretion without affecting fat accretion.     

Estimates of genetic parameters and predicted selection responses for growth, fat and lean traits in mice

Heritabilities (?2) and genetic correlations (rG) were estimated by regression of offspring on sire in two replicate, unselected lines of mice. Traits were associated with growth, feed efficiency, fat deposition and lean tissue. The ?2 for growth traits ranged from .34 to .42, except for 3-wk body weight, which was only .05. The ?2 for feed efficiency was .28. Ranges in ?2 were .45 to .50 for fat deposition traits and .36 to .42 for lean tissue traits. The rG involving 3-wk to 6-wk feed efficiency with hind carcass and fat measurements at 12 wk were small. Antagonisms were found between the sign of rG and the direction of usual breeding goals for pairs of traits (e.g., rG greater than 0 between fat deposition and hind carcass weight and rG less than 0 between hind carcass as a percentage of body weight and body weight). Selection indexes were developed to counteract these antagonisms. Modified selection indexes were compared where responses in individual traits rather than the aggregate breeding value were of major importance. The aggregate breeding values and selection indexes included: 1) epididymal fat pad weight and body weight, 2) hind carcass weight and body weight, or 3) all three traits. Economic weights in retrospect were calculated for the modified selection indexes. In some cases, expected correlated responses in component traits were not influenced greatly over a wide range of ratios of economic weights, but in other cases the component traits changed sharply over a narrow range of ratios.     

Use of mononuclear leukocyte insulin receptor characteristics as predictors of carcass composition in heifers and steers

Total insulin specific binding (IB) and the number and affinity of insulin receptors on mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) were used to predict carcass composition of heifers and steers. Dependent variables were kidney fat, body cavity fat, s.c. fat, intermuscular fat, lean and bone. Independent variables were parameters that could be measured on the live animal, including insulin receptor characteristics, age, shrunk weight, breed and carcass s.c. rib fat thickness (SUB). All carcass fat characteristics and IB were greater for heifers than for steers, but the ability to predict either heifer or steer carcass fat characteristics was not improved by inclusion of IB in prediction equations. However, the number of low-affinity insulin receptors on MNL contributed significantly to the prediction of all heifer carcass characteristics except bone. Carcass s.c. rib fat thickness also entered the prediction equations for all heifer carcass characteristics except kidney fat. In the prediction of heifer kidney fat, the only significant independent variable was the number of low-affinity insulin receptors on MNL (R2 = .38). Carcass characteristics of steers were better predicted by SUB than were heifer carcass characteristics, and insulin receptor characteristics, when added to steer equations that contained SUB, improved R2 by .10 or less. Our results suggest that insulin receptor characteristics will be most useful in the prediction of carcass characteristics of heifers where there is a poor relationship between quantity of s.c. fat and other carcass fat depots.