The influence of pre-weaning nutrition on biochemical and myofibre characteristics of bovine semitendinosus muscle

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter G. Allingham ◽  
Gregory S. Harper ◽  
David W. Hennessy ◽  
V. Hutton Oddy

This study investigates pre-weaning growth of cattle and its effect on biochemical and histochemical markers of muscle development and subsequent biophysical attributes of eating quality. Combinations of cow (late pregnancy to mid-lactation) and pre-weaning (varying duration of access to a high-energy ration) supplementation were used to vary calf growth to weaning in 6 treatment groups. After weaning, calves were grazed together on pasture (backgrounding) and then grown rapidly on a feedlot ration (finishing) until slaughter. Biochemical and myofibre characteristics were determined in semitendinosus muscle samples collected just prior to weaning (7 months), at the end of backgrounding (13 months), and at slaughter (17 months). The concentration of sarcoplasmic protein and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the muscle at weaning were associated with differences in pre-weaning growth and both variables correlated positively with liveweight at weaning. Isocitrate dehydrogenase activity varied with sex, not treatment, at weaning and at the end of backgrounding. The size of myofibres at weaning related to differences in growth path and correlated positively with liveweight. Pre-weaning growth effects on these characteristics were not evident at slaughter. Biophysical properties of the meat were not affected by earlier growth path treatment, and were not correlated with biochemical characteristics or myofibre type profile. Variation in both shear peak force and adhesion was related to sex. We conclude that the effects of divergent early life growth do not persist 10 months after weaning, at least in meat quality characteristics.

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Fordyce ◽  
L. A. Fitzpatrick ◽  
T. J. Mullins ◽  
N. J. Cooper ◽  
D. J. Reid ◽  
...  

Summary. Three experiments were conducted in the dry tropics of north Australia using Bos indicus-cross cows. Cows in mid–late pregnancy were either unsupplemented during the late dry season or offered ad libitum (2 kg/day) molasses with 7.4% urea (w/w) (M8U) or cottonseed meal (1 kg/day) for up to 54 days commencing 2 months before the start of the calving season. Supplementation reduced weight loss in experiments 1 and 2 (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on weight or body condition in experiment 3. Supplementation had no effect on subsequent calf growth or cow lactation yields. Following early wet season rains in experiment 1, 9 and 49% of cows were ovulating 40 and 80 days post-partum, respectively, with no effect of supplementation. In experiment 2, 10 and 100% of cows had ovulated by 60 and 200 days post-partum, respectively. At any time between 80 and 180 days post-partum, supplemented cows were more likely to be cycling (P<0.05), independent of supplementation effects on weight or body condition. The average post-partum interval to oestrus was 30 days less in cows supplemented for 42 days (P = 0.08). In experiment 3, pregnancy rates in 1/2 and 3/4 Brahmans supplemented with M8U for 54 days (MU54) or whose calves were weaned at 2–3 months of age (WEAN) were 14% higher in the latter 2 months of mating than in cows supplemented for less than 40 days. Good seasonal conditions resulted in high pregnancy rates in all mature 5/8 Brahmans; when not weaned early, their average calving to conception interval (CCI) was 54 days (s.e. = 8.5 days). Pregnancy rates of first-lactation 5/8 Brahmans (average CCI of 125 days) supplemented for 39 days or less and weaned when calves averaged 6 months of age were 14–32% lower between 2 and 9 months post-partum than in contemporaries in the MU54 or WEAN treatment groups. It was concluded that dry-season supplementation of mid- to late-pregnant Bos indicus-cross cows with an energy concentrate for 42–54 days (‘spike’ feeding) may reduce post-partum anoestrus intervals via a mechanism which is not dependent on the effects on weight or body condition.


2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Hopkins ◽  
D. F. Stanley ◽  
E. S. Toohey ◽  
G. E. Gardner ◽  
D. W. Pethick ◽  
...  

The meat and eating quality characteristics of 627 crossbred lamb progeny from 20 Poll Dorset sires were studied. The sires were selected on the basis of Australian sheep breeding values (ASBVs) for postweaning growth (PWWT), depth of loin muscle (PEMD) and subcutaneous fat (PFAT). Lambs were either weaned at 20- or 30-kg liveweight and then within each of these groups held at their weaning weight for 55 days or fully fed, giving four treatment groups. Restricted lambs were realimentated subsequent to the period of feed restriction and the lambs within each treatment group were slaughtered when their mean liveweight reached 45 kg.Shear force of the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LL) decreased with temperature at pH 6.0, increased with LL ultimate pH and decreased as sarcomere length increased. Within LL aged for 5 days there was no difference between (P > 0.05) between treatments for shear force. There was a treatment effect on M. semimembranosus (SM) shear force, such that for a sire having an average ASBV PWWT of 9.34, topsides from lambs early weaned and restricted had significantly (P < 0.05) lower values. Further within these same lambs, i.e. early weaned and restricted, as the sire ASBV PWWT increased there was a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in shear force. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in sensory tenderness as the sire ASBV PFAT increased and across the range of ASBV PFAT this represented a change in sensory tenderness of four points. Overall liking increased with an increase in the temperature at pH 6.0 (P < 0.05) with a coefficient of 0.43 ± 0.19. There was a significant (P < 0.05) interaction between feeding level and the sire ASBV PFAT, such that for restricted fed lambs overall liking increased as the ASBV PFAT increased (coefficient 2.80 ± 0.89) after adjusting for temperature at pH 6.0, but this is not the case for fully feed lambs (coefficient –0.01 ± 0.89). Subtle interactions between sire ASBVs and growth path suggest that the impact of a period of restriction and refeeding on meat and eating quality will be meditated by the sire genetics.


2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 687 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. Bindon

The biology of marbling is a considerable issue for the Australian beef industry. Measurement of the trait is still a concern: subjective assessment based on the degree of visual fat deposition and its distribution is the 'industry standard' and the basis for payment of marbling grades. Yet this measurement may be subject to operator error and is influenced by chiller temperature. Chemical extraction gives an unequivocal measure of all fat in the muscle (intramuscular fat percentage: IMF%) and has higher heritability and genetic variation than marble score; but does this mirror exactly what the trade regards as 'marbling'?Progeny test results from the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Cattle and Beef Quality breeding projects provide improved understanding of breed and genetic effects on IMF% and marble score. Estimated breeding values (EBVs) for IMF% have been released to the industry for 7 breeds. Heritability estimates confirm that genetic progress will be faster when selection is based on IMF% rather than marble score. Genetic correlations of IMF% with growth, retail beef yield (RBY%), P8 fat, residual feed intake (RFI) and tenderness are now available to underpin selection indices. A favourable allele for marbling (TG5) on chromosome 14 has been identified by CSIRO/MLA as a direct gene marker for the trait. This is now being marketed as GeneSTAR marbling. Other favourable chromosomal regions are under investigation by the CRC.Nutritional manipulation of marbling remains problematic. It is accepted that high-energy grain diets achieve higher marbling than pasture diets. Within grain-based feedlot diets higher marbling is achieved with maize than barley, while barley diets in turn are better than sorghum. Steam flaking produces higher marbling than dry rolled grain and this effect is more marked with sorghum than maize. Beyond these establishments there are many uncertainties: experiments have examined the effects of diets with high protein; low protein; protected lipid; protected protein; added oil with and without calcium; vitamin A deficiency. None of these manipulations gave consistent improvement in marble score or IMF%. Commercial feedlots supplying Japanese B3/B4 markets may have successful dietary manipulations to enhance marbling but because of its proprietary nature the information is not normally available for scientific scrutiny.Japan is the only market for Australian beef where marbling is an important component of the market specification. There can be no doubt that marbling meets a special consumer preference in that niche market. In other markets scientific evidence for a link between marbling and beef tenderness or eating quality has been difficult to define (marbling is a key component of the USA grading scheme for primal cuts but Australia is not a big supplier to that market). In the domestic Meat Standards Australia market there is a trend for marbling to become more important as a consumer issue in 5-star products where higher order sensory attributes of beef come into play. Early meat science investigations concluded that beef flavour elements were water-soluble. This would exclude marbling fat as having a notable influence on flavour.Marbling remains the major determinant of carcass value in Australia's most valuable beef market. Research should continue to assist Australian producers to meet the specifications of that market with increased precision and reduced costs.


1973 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. H. McClelland ◽  
T. J. Forbes

SUMMARYSixty Scottish Blackface ewes were used in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment in which two levels of metabolizable energy (ME) were given during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. In two treatments 1600 and 2000 kcal M E were given daily over the total period while in the remaining treatments daily ME intakes were 1200 and 1600 kcal ME during the first 3 weeks of the feeding period and 2000 and 2400 kcal ME during the last 3 weeks. Digestible crude protein (DCP) intakes were constant at approximately 30 g per head daily in the constant energy treatments and 15 and 45 g per head daily in the first and second periods respectively for the low-high energy treatments.Energy intake had no statistically significant effect on lamb birth weight nor on ewe net body-weight change (change from the start of the experimental feeding period to immediately post partum). Ewes on low-high energy intakes had a significantly lower net body-weight loss than did ewes on constant energy intakes. Pattern of feeding had no significant effect on lamb birth weights. Negative nitrogen balances were found during the first feeding period where the daily DCP intake was approximately 15 g per head.


1970 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-396
Author(s):  
W. Addah ◽  
A. Ayantunde ◽  
E.K. Okine

The study investigated the effects of re-alimenting dietary protein or energy on growth, carcass characteristics and meat eating quality parameters of sheep. Twenty-seven intact rams (~9 months; 11.3 ± 0.5 kg) were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was fed a maintenance diet (MT) containing, on dry matter (DM) basis, 105 g/kg crude protein (CP) and 8.4 MJ/kg DM metabolizable energy (ME) for 30 days. Thereafter, they were continually fed the same MT or re-alimented with a high protein diet (HP) containing 169 g/kg DM CP and 9.3 MJ/kg ME or a high energy diet (HE) containing 123 g/kg DM CP and 10.6 MJ/kg ME for an additional 30 days to determine the effects of re-alimentation of protein or energy on their growth performance and carcass characteristics. During the initial 30-day period, DM intake (DMI) and growth performance were similar among the three groups. However, upon re-alimentation, average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency of sheep re-alimented with HP were greater than those maintained continually on MT or re-alimented with HE. Sheep on HP had higher feed efficiency, ADG and heavier carcasses than those fed MT or re-alimented with HE during the whole 60-day period. Growth of most viscera was less responsive to the restriction-re-alimentation feeding regimen except for the weights of the lungs, heart and intestines. Meat from sheep re-alimented with HE had a more intense ‘sheepy’ flavour than those fed MT or re-alimented with HP, but juiciness and tenderness were not affected. The higher ADG of sheep re-alimented with protein may be related more to enhanced efficiency of feed utilization than to higher DMI.Keywords: average daily gain, feed restriction, nutrient utilization efficiency, visceral organs


1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
YS Kim ◽  
RD Sainz ◽  
J Ferlazzo ◽  
NM Tulloh

The effects of salbutamol administration to pregnant sows on post-natal growth and carcass characteristics of the progeny were investigated. Salbutamol (4 mg/kg diet) was fed to sows during the first (0 to 38 days, TI), second (39 to 78 days, T2) or third (79 days to term, T3) trimester of pregnancy. At birth, maternal administration of salbutamol had no effect on body weight, dressing percentage or weights of liver, heart, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscle in proportion to body weight in the progeny. No significant effects of maternal treatment with salbutamol on body weight, dressing percentage, semitendinosus muscle weight in proportion to body weight and loin eye area were observed in the progeny at 21 days. P2 fat depth at 21 days was greater (P < 0-05) in TI than in controls. The percentage of type I fibres in the deep portion of semitendinosus muscle was higher (P < 0.05) in treatment groups as compared with controls: 27.4, 42.8, 36.9 and 36.0% in control, TI, T2 and T3 respectively. At slaughter (90 kg), carcass and meat parameters including length, P2 fat depth, meat colour and drip loss were not affected by maternal administration of salbutamol. However, loin eye areas were larger in T1 than in controls. Larger loin eye areas, coupled with numerically (but not statistically) significant heavier carcasses and lower backfats, resulted in greater estimates of carcass protein mass in TI pigs as compared with controls (P = 0.06).


2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 725 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. Bell

Human epidemiological evidence has suggested that metabolic perturbations during fetal life may increase predisposition to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity in later life. A growing number of controlled experiments on sheep and other large animal species are adding to the already large body of experimental evidence from rat studies in supporting the ‘fetal origins’ hypothesis. Of particular practical relevance are findings that maternal undernutrition in late pregnancy can predispose lambs to glucose intolerance and increased adiposity in early adulthood. This effect may be exacerbated by high energy intakes and limited capacity for muscle growth in undernourished or growth-retarded lambs during early postnatal life. Recent Australian studies have demonstrated the effects of prenatal nutrition on postnatal growth and meat production in beef cattle, and on quantity and quality of wool production in sheep.


2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 715 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Hennessy ◽  
S. G. Morris ◽  
P. G. Allingham

Tender, juicy and flavoursome are desirable meat traits in the grading system of Meat Standards Australia. There are 3 critical growth phases affecting these traits in domestic trade cattle: birth to weaning (phase I), weaning to feedlot entry (phase II), and feedlot finishing (phase III). In the study reported in this paper we examined the effects of supplementary feeding of cows and/or calves in phase I on calf growth rate during each of the 3 growth phases and assessed whether differences in early growth were recorded in carcass weights and meat quality at slaughter (16.5 months old). The calves were weaned on to high quality pastures (phase II) and then finished in a feedlot on a grain-based diet (phase III). One-hundred Hereford cows with Angus-sired calves, and 24 Hereford cows, with Hereford-sired calves were allocated to treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial study of calf growth rate during phase I. The treatments consisted of nil or 4.2 kg twice-a-week of cottonseed meal to the cows for 145 days from calving to mid-lactation, and calves either had access to a high protein barley-based supplement in a ‘creep’ from 75, or from 150 days old until weaning. There were 4 replicate groups for each treatment during phase I with 24 paddocks. Weaners were grazed as a single herd during phase II of the study and separated into 10 feedlot pens in phase III. At slaughter, after phase III, M. longissimus et laborum muscle was sampled from half the carcasses and graded by a taste panel according to Meat Standards Australia. Calves, suckled by cottonseed meal-supplemented cows, were heavier at weaning than those calves suckled by non-supplemented cows (201 v. 170 kg; phase I) with a trend for younger calves with access to ‘creep’ feeding (from 75 days old) to be heavier than calves without access to ‘creep’ feed (196 v. 175 kg). During phase II, liveweight change was higher for weaners from non-supplemented cows than for weaners from supplemented cows (679 v. 593 g/day). During phase III this trend was reversed in favour of weaners from cottonseed meal-supplemented cows (1.54 v. 1.46 kg/day). Similarly, carcasses of calves from cottonseed meal-supplemented cows were also heavier than other carcasses from other calves (226 v. 212 kg) with a greater depth of rib fat (7.0 v. 5.8 mm). In contrast to carcass weight, M. longissimus et laborum muscle samples from calves which did not have access to supplement during phase I were assessed as being more tender, more flavoursome and having a higher overall Meat Standards Australia score than M. longissimus et laborum muscle from calves that had access to supplements. The carryover effects of nutrition from the preweaning growth phase of calves highlight the importance of early life nutrition for achieving higher carcass weights and meat quality. However, the findings that M. longissimus et laborum samples from calves with lower growth rates before weaning were more tender and graded higher than samples from calves with higher growth rates was both unexpected and unexplained.


2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Holst ◽  
D. G. Hall ◽  
G. J. Lee

Low perinatal lamb loss and fast lamb growth rates are important measures for efficient sheep production. To understand the role of ewe nutrition in late pregnancy, 100 adult Border Leicester × Merino ewes were joined at a synchronised oestrus. Ewes were nutritionally managed to maintain maternal body condition until day 130 of pregnancy at which time 50 twin-bearing ewes entered single pens. Thirteen ewes were allocated as controls and 14, 11 and 12 ewes for the 3 treatments groups. All were fed a base diet of lucerne hay (17.3% crude protein; 9.4 MJ ME/kg DM). Three of the 4 treatment groups were supplemented with oaten grain, formaldehyde-treated sunflower meal or lupin grain at 1 of 3 nominal feeding levels: 250, 500 or 750 g/ewe.day of supplement. Actual intake was less than amounts offered. Intakes measured in the final 5 days prepartum, were used in the analysis. Data were collected on peripheral progesterone and insulin-like growth factor-1 at 4 days prepartum and 50 min postpartum; peripheral oestrone sulfate at 4 and 3 days prepartum and 50 min postpartum; and colostrum weight and score at 50 min postpartum. Feeding level of supplement, but not type of supplement, significantly increased insulin-like growth factor-1 and decreased progesterone and oestrone sulfate levels. Correlations of energy and nitrogen intake with insulin-like growth factor-1, progesterone and oestrone sulfate levels were positive (P<0.01), as were the correlations of colostrum weight with these traits. An unexpected high correlation between energy and nitrogen intake masked any differential effects on colostrum production and hormone response. Nevertheless, the supply of energy and protein supplements were associated with elevated colostrum weights and scores, and lower progesterone concentration. Lowering progesterone levels is considered necessary for successful parturition. Oaten grain was the least desirable grain supplement. These observations support the practical importance of providing adequate nutrition in late pregnancy and its effect on colostrum yield and presumably lamb survival and growth.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-197
Author(s):  
Hadeel K. Ibrahim

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of feeding feedblocks (FB) enriched with different sources of protein on the performance ofAwassi ewes during late pregnancy, suckling and milking stages. Experiment(1) was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding feed blocks enriched withdifferent sources of protein on the performance of Awassi ewes during latepregnancy. Eighty pregnant Awassi ewes (mean live weight 09.91±0.31 Kg),aged 3-5 years were allocated into four groups according to ewes’ live weight.First group (T1) fed ordinary high energy FB (OFB) + straw (ad-libitum). Thesecond group (T2) fed FB enriched with cottonseed meal (FBCSM) + straw (adlibitum).The third group (T3) fed FB enriched with sunflower seed meal(FBSSM) + straw (ad-libitum). The fourth group (T4) fed barley grains + straw(ad-libitum) (Farmer practice). Experiment (2) was conducted to investigate theeffect of feeding high energy feed blocks enriched with different sources ofprotein on the performance of Awassi ewes during suckling and milking stages.Sixty-four Awassi ewes (mean live weight 03.62 ±1.13 kg), aged 3-5 years wereallocated into four groups according to ewes’ live weight and milk yield. Firstgroup (T1) fed OFB + barley grains + straw (ad-libitum). The second group(T2) fed FBCSM + barley grains + straw (ad-libitum). The third group (T3)FBSSM + barley grains + straw (ad-libitum). The fourth group (T4) fed barleygrains + straw (ad-libitum) (Farmer practice). The experimental diets were fedduring the last six weeks of pregnancy, 90 days during suckling stage and 45days during milking stage. The results of Experiment 1 indicated that despite nosignificant differences between the four groups on studied traits (ewes weightchanges and lambs birth weight), but there was a trend the groups (T1, T2 andT3) fed FB performed better than group T4 fed according to the farmer’spractice. Group T2 that was fed FBCSM had slightly better performance thangroups T1, T3 and T4, which were fed OFB, FBSSM and farmer, practice dietsrespectively. 


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