Immunocastration and its effects on carcass and meat traits of male pigs

To compose the experiment, 160 male Topgen pigs - 80 surgically castrated (treatment 1) and 80 immunocastrated (treatment 2) - were randomly selected from a commercial swine farm at the moment of slaughter. Surgical castration was performed when the animals were seven days of age and immunocastration was performed by administering two doses (2 mL each) of immunocastration vaccine (analogue of GnRF linked to a carrier protein, development of anti-GnRF antibodies, 200 mg of a GnRF-protein conjugate/mL) when they were 104 and 132 days of age. Animals from both treatments were maintained in masonry stalls, where they received water and ad libitum diet (the same feed for both groups). The animals were slaughtered at 160 days of age, and the length and width of the testicles of immunocastrated animals were evaluated, along with the degree and number of carcass lesions, carcass traits and meat quality of both treatments. The means of these measurements were calculated and compared by Student´s t-test. For the immunocastrated treatment, Pearson´s correlation coefficients were also calculated for testicle length and width with backfat thickness. Approximately 80% of the immunocastrated animals had testicle widths of 11 cm or less. Immunocastrated animals showed higher degrees of lesions, pH (initial and 8 hours), hue, muscle depth and loin eye area and lower brightness, redness, chroma and backfat thickness than the surgically castrated animals. The correlation between testicle length and width with backfat thickness was inverse. Immunocastration can be an alternative to improve the proportion of lean meat (longissimus thoracis) instead of fat (backfat thickness) leading to better carcass and meat quality, since fat has become undesirable from a nutritional point of view in swine.

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Pork Quality of Two Lithuanian Breeds: Effects of Breed, Gender and Feeding Regimen

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11041103 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1103

Author(s):

Violeta Razmaitė ◽

Remigijus Juška ◽

Raimondas Leikus ◽

Virginija Jatkauskienė

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Subcutaneous Tissue ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Quality Indices ◽

Lipid Quality ◽

Semimembranosus Muscle ◽

Ad Libitum

The diversity of breeds is an important factor influencing carcass and meat quality traits that are also associated with other different effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of breed, gender, and feeding level in the finishing phase on the carcass and meat quality of Lithuanian White and Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle pigs reared indoors. After 60 kg weight, half of the animals from both breeds were fed a restricted diet of approximately 82% of average ad libitum feeding intake, and the other half of pigs were further fed ad libitum to the end of the experiment. Feed restriction during the finishing phase decreased daily gain and weight of pigs at slaughter, and backfat thickness at the tenth rib (p ˂ 0.001, p ˂ 0.01, and p ˂ 0.05, respectively). Lithuanian White pigs demonstrated higher (p ˂ 0.001) growth rate, live body weight at slaughter and carcass weight, and had a higher (p ˂ 0.01) length of carcass and loin area and lower (p ˂ 0.05) backfat thickness at the last rib and at two points at the lumbar area compared with Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle pigs. The semimembranosus muscle of Lithuanian White pigs had relatively (8.1%) lower (p ˂ 0.001) proportions of saturated and 41.2% higher (p ˂ 0.001) proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with the pigs of the Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle breed, whereas in the longissimus muscle and subcutaneous tissue, the breed only affected the n-6/n-3 ratio (p ˂ 0.01 and p ˂ 0.001, respectively). Gender showed an effect on saturated fatty acids in all the studied tissues, however, the effects on polyunsaturated fatty acids were found in the semimembranosus muscle and subcutaneous tissue (p ˂ 0.05 and p ˂ 0.001) and the effects on monounsaturated fatty acids was found only in the semimembranosus muscle (p ˂ 0.01). These differences in the fatty acid composition of the semimembranosus muscle and subcutaneous tissue of females exhibited more favorable lipid quality indices compared with castrated males (p ˂ 0.001). The semimembranosus muscle of Lithuanian White pigs also showed more favorable lipid quality indices in relation to healthy nutrition compared with Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle pigs (p ˂ 0.001). This study is one of the steps toward the development and utilization of endangered breeds. The obtained information can be used to increase choice in pork production and consumption, and provides new insights for research into the conservation of local breeds.

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The Effect of Feeding System on the Carcass Quality of Crossbred Lambs with Texel

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun202068010017 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

pp. 17-24

Author(s):

Angela Cividini ◽

Dušan Terčič ◽

Mojca Simčič

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Carcass Quality ◽

Quality Traits ◽

Feeding System ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Effect Of Feeding ◽

Carcass Cuts

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of feeding system on the growth rate and carcass quality of crossbred Improved Jezersko-Solčava x Texel (JSRT) lambs and to evaluate the effect of sex on these traits. The trial was conducted in nature according to the traditional rearing systems. The trial included 44 crossbred lambs, which were born and reared until the slaughter in three different flocks. In the age of 10 days suckled lambs were offered with ad libitum corresponding diets according to the feeding system. All lambs were slaughtered in seven consecutive days by the same procedure. The effect of feeding system significantly affected daily gain from birth to slaughter, EUROP carcass conformation and shoulder width. Likewise, the effect of sex significantly affected daily gain from birth to slaughter and internal fatness of carcasses. According to carcass cuts the feeding system significantly affected only the proportion of neck and leg. Considering meat quality traits, feeding system had a significant effect on the pH 45 and CIE a* values. In this study, we could speculate that more than the feeding system the growth and the carcass traits as well as meat traits were affected by the amount of the supplement.

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Effect of alfalfa hay on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of growing lambs with ad libitum access to total mixed rations

Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/s1806-92902016000600004 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 45 (6) ◽

pp. 302-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ibrahim A. Alhidary ◽

Mutassim M. Abdelrahman ◽

Abdullah H. Alyemni ◽

Rifat Ullah Khan ◽

Mohamed Y. Al-Saiady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Alfalfa Hay ◽

Ad Libitum

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Conventional versus Ritual Slaughter–Ethical Aspects and Meat Quality

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr9081381 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1381

Author(s):

Jagoda Żurek ◽

Mariusz Rudy ◽

Magdalena Kachel ◽

Stanisław Rudy

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Point Of View ◽

Literature Analysis ◽

Dietary Recommendations ◽

Ethical Aspects ◽

The World ◽

Liberal Rights ◽

Slaughter Method ◽

The Right

Social pressure on increased protection and welfare of animals results mainly from the initiative of people living in the urbanized parts of the world. The respect for the right to freedom of religion, which is indisputably one of the fundamental liberal rights, must be taken into account. The right to freedom to religion also includes the right to follow a religion’s dietary recommendations. The aim of the literature analysis was to systematize the knowledge on the ethical aspects and quality of meat obtained from carcasses of animals subjected to conventional and ritual slaughter. Consistent with the importance of ritual slaughter for humans of two major faiths (Islam and Judaism), it is important that scientists be objective when evaluating these practices from an animal welfare and meat quality point of view. To evaluate the welfare of the slaughtered animal, it is necessary to openly discuss ritual slaughter and the improvement of its methods. The quality of meat and the degree of bleeding of animals do not always correlate with the ritual slaughter method used.

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The performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of two breeds of cattle taken to slaughter at three different levels of backfat thickness

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s0308229600025332 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 1993 ◽

pp. 211-211

Author(s):

S. Thomas ◽

K. Demeke

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Initial Weight ◽

Improve Efficiency ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Different Levels

Slaughtering cattle at lighter weights to produce leaner meat might be expected to improve efficiency of production. An earlier experiment with Hereford x Friesian steers (Thomas, Kay, Hamilton and Fisher, 1987) showed no significant effect on feed efficiency when cattle were slaughtered at three different EC fat classes. An experiment was subsequently carried out to examine the effect on performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of two breeds of cattle slaughtered at three different levels of fatness. In this experiment backfat depth was used as the criterion for slaughter.Thirty Hereford x Friesian/Holstein steers (initial weight 326 kg) and 30 Limousin x Holstein/Friesian steers (initial weight 340 kg) were used in the experiment.

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Feed efficiency and meat quality of crossbred beef heifers classified according to residual feed intake

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-99402015000300014 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 632-642 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Simone Frotas dos REIS ◽

Daiane Aparecida FAUSTO ◽

Sergio Raposo de MEDEIROS ◽

Pedro Veiga Rodrigues PAULINO ◽

Sebastião de Campos VALADARES FILHO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

System A ◽

Fat Thickness ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Sorghum Silage

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate feed efficiency and meat quality of 31 three-crossbred beef heifers during 84 days in a feedlot system. A 60:40 concentrate and sorghum silage ration on DM basis (ME = 2.73Mcal/kg of DM, CP = 11.90% DM) was fed ad libitum. Based on residual feed intake (RFI) calculations, the heifers were ranked in three groups of feed efficiency: High RFI (average mean = 0.776; n = 9), medium RFI (average mean = -0.010; n = 11), and low RFI (average mean = - 0.624; n = 11). High RFI heifers consumed 4.56% more DM per day than low RFI heifers (P <0.05). The ADG did not differ (P> 0.05) among RFI groups (1.40kg/day). No differences (P>0.05) were detected for digestibility of the nutrients: DM (64.00%), CP (60.01%), crude fat (72.90%), NDF (54.80%) and non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) (78.91%). There were no differences between low and high RFI groups for slaughter weight (475.00 vs. 479.55kg), hot carcass weight (259.09 vs. 261.44kg), Longissimus dorsi (LD) area (69.02 vs. 68.11 cm2), back-fat thickness (5.74 vs. 6.26 cm), shear force (5.45 vs. 5.19kg), sensorial traits of LD muscle, LD color (intensities L=40.47 a*=24.74 and b*=16.13) or commercial cuts yield. Low RFI heifers presented similar meat quality and carcass traits as high RFI heifers, however low RFI heifers consumed less DM (kg/d).

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Evaluation of fattening and slaughter performance and determination of meat quality in Złotnicka Spotted pigs and their crosses with the Duroc breed

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/5561-cjas ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 57 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 95-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

K. Szulc ◽

E. Skrzypczak ◽

J.T. Buczyński ◽

D. Stanisławski ◽

A. Jankowska-Mąkosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Raw Material ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Meat Production ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Slaughter Performance ◽

Colour Parameters ◽

Processed Products

The study aimed at an evaluation of fattening and slaughter performance as well as meat quality of the native Złotnicka Spotted (ZS) pigs and its crosses with Duroc pigs. The experimental material comprised 60 fatteners, divided into three genetic groups of 20 animals (100% ZS, 75% ZS and 50% ZS). The specific character of conservative breeding results in low values of fattening and slaughter performance traits observed in ZS breed. Among the analysed groups, animals with 100% share of ZS genes in their genotype were characterised by low daily weight gains (0.59 kg), considerable backfat thickness (34.96 mm), slight muscle thickness (48.05 mm), and low leanness (41.83%). These parameters were higher in both groups of crosses. Differences between the 100% ZS group and the 50% ZS group were significant for backfat thickness and highly significant for leanness. Acidity and colour parameters analysis showed that meat from all the genetic groups analysed was characterised by a good quality. The highest pH<sub>45 </sub>values were in the 75% ZS group, and meat from this group had the darkest colour (L* = 49.73) and the highest red colour share (a* = 5.11). Statistical analyses showed that ZS breed retained its original traits through the years of breeding. It was confirmed that meat of Złotnicka Spotted breed is characterised by excellent quality. The results indicate that ZS and Duroc breeds crossing improves fattening and slaughter performance, while maintaining good meat quality in their crosses. Results of this study may also be used by breeders. They indicate that crosses of both the breeds kept in extensive breeding may be successfully used in high quality meat production. Pork from such animals may be a raw material for market niche production, such as regional products. The use of meat from crosses in meat processing may improve both quality of the processed products and efficiency of production based on the native Złotnicka Spotted breed.  

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Meat quality of Morada Nova lambs subjected to different feeding regimes

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n2p911 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 911 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Antônio Clébio Ferreira da Silva ◽

Hélio Henrique Araújo Costa ◽

Maria Claudete Rodrigues Peres ◽

Adaílton Camelo Costa ◽

Diego Rodrigues de Sousa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Meat Product ◽

Live Weight ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Feed Restriction ◽

Longissimus Dorsi Muscle ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Water Holding

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre- and post-calving feed restriction on quantitative characteristics and lipid profile of meat from Morada Nova sheep. Twenty-four male lambs from single births only, with an initial weight of 10.0 ± 3.07 kg and at four months of age, were distributed in a randomized complete design, into three groups: pre-calving restriction (R-PRE; n=8) post-calving restriction (R-POS; n=8), and ad libitum feeding (ADLI; n=8). To make up the experimental treatments, the feeding regime applied previously on the sheep in the last third of pregnancy was considered. Treatments ADLI and R-POS were composed of lambs born from ewes fed ad libitum in the last third of pregnancy. Treatment R-PRE consisted of lambs born from ewes subjected to feed restriction in the last third of pregnancy at 60% of the recommended requirements for the group of ewes feeding ad libitum. For the lambs from treatments ADLI and R-PRE, the diet was supplied allowing 20% of the total supplied as refusals. For the animals from R-POS, a 30% restriction was imposed in relation to the animals feeding ad libitum. Animals were slaughtered with an average live weight of 25 kg. Afterwards, carcasses were chilled at 4 ºC for 24 h. Meat quality measurements were taken on the right side of each carcass; pH was determined immediately after slaughter and then again after chilling. Samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were collected and frozen at -20 ºC. Moisture, ash, protein, total lipids, water-holding capacity, and cooking loss were determined in the meat samples, which were then subjected to the shear-force test. The sensory analysis was determined by the hedonic-scale test, in which sensory parameters of tenderness, juiciness, flavor, aroma, and overall acceptability and fatty acid profile were evaluated. There was a feed-restriction effect on protein, lipids, and water-holding capacity (P0.05). Saturated fatty acid contents were affected by the treatments (P0.05). Feed restriction does not compromise the physicochemical or sensory quality of Morada Nova lambs meat, but rather provides a meat product of good acceptance.

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Carcass traits and meat quality of steers on pasture submitted to different dietary supplementation

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n6p2693 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (6) ◽

pp. 2693

Author(s):

Bruna Biava de Menezes ◽

Henrique Jorge Fernandes ◽

Maria da Graça Morais ◽

Edneia Pereira Rosa ◽

Andrea Roberto Duarte Lopes Souza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Feeding Strategies ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Longissimus Dorsi Muscle ◽

Ad Libitum

This study aimed at evaluating carcass traits and meat quality of Nellore steers on pasture submitted to different dietary supplementation strategies. The 32 Nellore animals tested (8 ± 0.6 months) were raised under rotational grazing on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã (syn. Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã) pasture and distributed in four treatments: supply of mineral salt ad libitum in the growth and finishing phases (MSGF); concentrate supplementation only during the growth phase (CG); concentrate supplementation only during the finishing phase (CF) and concentrate supplementation the growth and finishing phases (CGF). The concentrated supplement was supplied at 0.5% of body weight and mineral ad libitum. The steers were slaughtered when more than 50% of the lot of each treatment reached 450 kg body weight. The mean the hot and cold carcass weight and subcutaneous fat thickness did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). The calves the treatment CF and CGF showed a larger rib-eye area and higher ether extract levels in the Longissimus dorsi muscle than in MSGF and CG (P < 0.05). Mean shearing force was similar between treatments (P > 0.05). The use of feeding strategies on pasture with concentrate supplementation in the growth and finishing phases of Nellore cattle anticipates slaughter in 92 days and produces carcasses and meat with satisfactory traits.

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Effects of early high nutrition related to metabolic imprinting events on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle)

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab123 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sithyphone Khounsaknalath ◽

Kotaro Etoh ◽

Kaori Sakuma ◽

Kunihiko Saito ◽

Akira Saito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Milk Replacer ◽

Japanese Black Cattle ◽

Left Half ◽

Metabolic Imprinting ◽

Igf I ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Imf Content

Abstract The study was conducted to clarify how early high plane of nutrition related to metabolic imprinting affected growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle). Wagyu steers were allocated randomly into two dietary groups: 1) steers fed milk replacer (crude protein 26.0%, crude fat 25.5%; maximum intake 0.6 kg/d) until 3 mo of age and then fed roughage (orchard grass hay) ad libitum from 4 to 10 mo of age (roughage group, RG; n = 11); 2) steers fed milk replacer (maximum intake of 1.8 kg per day) until 3 mo of age and then fed a high-concentrate diet from 4 to 10 mo of age (early high nutrition, EHN; n = 12). After 11 mo of age, all steers were fed roughage ad libitum until 31 mo of age and then slaughtered. Growth performance, carcass traits, longissimus muscle (LM) meat quality and intramuscular fat (IMF) content, plasma Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration, and bone mineral density were measured. Body weight was greater in EHN steers (571 kg) than RG steers (520 kg; P < 0.01). Plasma IGF-I levels were higher in EHN steers than in RG steers at 3, 10, and 14 mo of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.005, P < 0.001, respectively); however, plasma IGF-I levels were lower in EHN steers compared to RG steers at 30 mo of age (P < 0.01). The total weight of the muscles and bones of the left half of the carcass were not different between the two groups (P = 0.065). Five of the 19 muscles investigated (semimembranosus, P = 0.036; infraspinatus, P = 0.024; supraspinatus, P = 0.0019; serratus ventralis cervicis, P = 0.032; serratus ventralis thoracis, P = 0.027) were heavier in EHN steers. Total fat weight in the left half of the carcass was 30% greater (P = 0.025) in HNE carcasses. Subcutaneous and perirenal fat weights were 53% and 84% greater (P = 0.008, P = 0.002, respectively) in EHN carcasses. The LM IMF content was greater in EHN loins (13.2%) compared to RG loins (9.4%) at 31 mo of age (P = 0.038); however, no differences were found for shear force, tenderness, and cook loss. These results suggested early high-nutrition affected the growth and meat quality of livestock.

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