Influence of the Use of Milk Replacers on Carcass Characteristics of Suckling Kids from Eight Spanish Goat Breeds

Since goat milk has a higher value than kid meat in Europe, some farmers rear kids with milk replacers, although some studies have stated that kids raised on natural milk yield higher-quality carcasses. Our previous studies showed some interactions between breed and rearing system on carcass and meat quality. This study evaluated the influence of the use of milk replacers on several carcass characteristics of suckling kids from eight Spanish goat breeds (Florida, Cabra del Guadarrama, Majorera, Palmera, Payoya, Retinta, Tinerfeña, and Verata). A total of 246 kids fed milk replacer (MR) or natural milk (NM) were evaluated. Carcass, head, viscera, and kidney fat weights, as well as several carcass measurements (round perimeter, forelimb width, carcass length, forelimb length, and carcass compactness index), were registered. Forelimbs were dissected to study tissue composition. For all studied variables, interactions were found between rearing system and breed. In general, the MR rearing system increased the head and visceral weights, as well as the length measurements and muscle percentages. Conversely, the NM rearing system increased carcass compactness and resulted in higher fat contents, independent of the deposit. The choice of one or another rearing system should be made according to the needs of the target market.

Intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen parameters, growth rate, carcase characteristics and cannabinoid residues of sheep fed pelleted rations containing hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stubble

The feeding value and impact of hemp stubble in the diet of ruminants is unknown. Fifteen Merino castrated male sheep were maintained in individual pens and fed one of three pelletised experimental inclusion diets, as a 0% (Control), 28% (Hemp 1), and 56% (Hemp 2) pellet that delivered a diet meeting the nutrient requirements of the animals. Inclusion of hemp stubble had no effect (P > 0.05) on either DM intake, live weight gain or the feed to gain ratio but positively impacted (P < 0.05) on nutrient digestibility. Hemp stubble inclusion increased the concentration (but not molar proportions) of acetic and butyric acids and increased both the concentrations and molar proportions of iso-butyric, iso-valeric, hexanoic and heptanoic acids, possibly due to increased protein digestibility and/or changes in the composition of rumen cellulolytic bacteria. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) was the only cannabinoid found in plasma in the sheep fed the hemp-containing diets, and this was found at very low concentrations (< 16 μg/L). The psychoactive cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC) was not detected in any plasma samples. THCA was detected in the liver of two sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellets and two sheep fed the Hemp 2 pellets. Cannabidiol (CBD) was detected in the liver of one sheep fed the Hemp 2 pellets (but no liver THCA was detected in this sheep). Δ 9-THC was detected in both the kidney fat and subcutaneous fat of all sheep fed hemp stubble, with the concentrations being higher (P < 0.05) in the sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellets. THCA was also detected in the subcutaneous fat of one of the sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellets. Four of the five sheep fed the Hemp 1 pellet and one of the five sheep fed Hemp 2 pellet had detectable levels of Δ 9-THC in the meat (loin). No other cannabinoids were detected in the meat. Current food standards regulations in Australia prohibit presence of any cannabinoid residues in commercial meat products; thus, determination of a withholding period is required to enable the safe feeding of hemp-stubble to sheep. Further research is also required to gain a greater understanding of the rumen metabolism of cannabinoids.

Determine The Manufacturing Characteristics of Iraqi Pasterma

The Study was aimed to determine and fixed the fat source (beef or sheep) and percentages use for production of Iraqi pasterma and to determine the best treatment from them by use measurements of the physical and chemical characteristics and sensory evaluation of the pastrama where stored at a temperature of 4 C0 for a period of 21 days. four treatments were used, the first treatment was used 800 gm of meat with 200 g pelvic and kidney fat, the second treatment used 750 g of meat with 250 g of tail fat, the third treatment used 800 g of meat with 200 grams of tail fat, the fourth treatment used 750 grams of meat with 250 grams of pelvic and kidney fat. with the addition to salt, sugar, spices, then packaged in natural casings (from cleaned cow small intestine sterilized in 15% NaCl with 1% Acetic Acid). Treatments were stored for a storage period of 1,7 14,21 days. to study the effect of treatments and storage periods on properties (pH, WHC, Drip loss, coking loss TBA, moisture protein, fat and ash percentage and sensory evaluation ). The Results was found to be superior to the fourth treatment in the sensory evaluation and have the highest estimate in moisture and lipid measurements and the lowest pH. Results obtaining the best characteristics of fermented pastrami.

PSVI-23 Depot- specific patterns of mRNA and miRNA gene expression in adipose tissue from Texel-cross and Suffolk lambs

Excess fat deposition is costly to the producer in terms of input and final product; it also usually does not occur equally across all adipose depots. Further examination is necessary to determine a correlation between varying gene expression and fatty acid composition in different tissue depots, and further, across different breeds. Texel-Suffolk (n = 5) and Suffolk-Suffolk (n = 4) lambs were finished to 203 d of age and used to compare both mRNA and microRNA (miR) gene expression changes between breed and among tissue depots. Seven different depots were harvested and snap-frozen from all nine lambs. The liver, longissimus muscle of the rib, kidney fat, mesenteric fat, omental fat, subcutaneous fat, and intermuscular fat were all harvested. Texel-sired lambs had greater (P < 0.05) flank streaking, quality grade, and weight of fat depots compared to Suffolk. Texel-cross lambs had higher (P < 0.05) oleic-to-stearic fatty acid ratio than Suffolk lambs in this study, displaying a breed difference concerning this desaturation ratio. Tissue and breed interactions were observed for oleic-to-stearic and palmitoleic-to-palmitic ratio differences (P < 0.05) depending on tissue type. Tissue and breed interactions were trending in various tissues concerning the expression of the gene, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1(SCD-1). SCD-1 seemed to be upregulated (P < 0.10) in a multitude of tissues while others do not appear to be differentially expressed, dependent upon breed. Data showed an association between SCD-1 and mi-199a-3p among different tissue variations. This may suggest that adipose tissue is more complex than what is currently known. Lipogenic gene expression differed between tissue and adipose depots, and could potentially broaden targets that could aid in maximizing animal efficiency.

Evaluating indices of nutritional condition for caribou (Rangifer tarandus): which are the most valuable and why?

Body composition studies are critical for evaluating the accuracy of nutritional condition indices for predicting body components. We evaluated >40 indices of nutritional condition for caribou (Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758)) using 29 female caribou captured from three populations in Alaska (USA) that ranged in condition from 2.3% to 11.2% ingesta-free body fat (IFBF) and 6 captive female caribou that ranged in condition from 8.1% to 26.0% IFBF. Estimates of body fat, protein, and gross energy were regressed against each index of nutritional condition. Generally, indices with linear or slightly curvilinear relations to body fat and those based on multiple fat depots were the most accurate in predicting nutritional condition and the most useful over the full range of nutritional condition. A scaledLIVINDEX (a combination of subcutaneous fat thickness and a condition score), CONINDEX (a combination of kidney fat and marrow fat), and a subset of the Kistner score (pericardium and kidneys only) had the strongest relationship with body fat (r2 > 0.86) and were useful over the entire range of nutritional condition. If used properly and with adequate training, indices of nutritional condition can be a critical tool for understanding the severity and seasonality of nutritional limitations in wild caribou populations.

Self-Expanding Anchors for Stabilizing Percutaneously Implanted Microdevices in Biological Tissues

Percutaneously implanted miniaturized devices such as fiducial markers, miniaturized sensors, and drug delivery devices have an important and expanding role in diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases. However, there is a need to develop and evaluate anchoring methods to ensure that these microdevices remain secure without dislodgement, as even minimal migration within tissues could result in loss of microdevice functionality or clinical complications. Here we describe two anchoring methods made from biocompatible materials: (1) a self-expanding nitinol mesh anchor and (2) self-expanding hydrogel particles contained within pliable netting. We integrate these anchors into existing drug-screening microdevices and experimentally measure forces required to dislodge them from varying tissues. We report similar dislodgement forces of 738 ± 37, 707 ± 40, 688 ± 29, and 520 ± 28 mN for nitinol-anchored microdevices, and 735 ± 98, 702 ± 46, 457 ± 47, and 459 ± 39 mN for hydrogel-anchored microdevices in liver, kidney, fat, and muscle tissues, respectively—significantly higher compared with 13 ± 2, 15 ± 3, 15 ± 2, and 15 ± 3 mN for non-anchored microdevices (p < 0.001 in all tissues). The anchoring methods increased resistance to dislodgement by a factor of 30–50× in all tissues, did not increase the required needle gauge for insertion, and were compatible with percutaneous implantation and removal. These results indicate that anchoring significantly improves microdevice stability and should reduce migration risk in a variety of biological tissues.

Slaughter and Meat Qualities of Experimental Store Pigs

This study was carried out on the fattening and meat qualities of store pigs. One of the main tasks of the study was to analyze the meat quality of the progeny obtained through the crossing of LW female pigs and half-breed LW x ST with male pigs of specialized meat breeds. Linear sizes were defined, which served as an indirect indicator of meat productivity. The amount of pig fat in a carcass was determined. The animals of the 1st and 2nd groups were distinguished – 30.8% and 32.1%, respectively, which were higher than the animals of the triple crossing by 2.5% (P<0.95); 3.0% (Р<0.95); 3.8% (P>0.99); 3.9% (P>0.999); 4.3% (P>0.999); and 5.1% (P>0.999). According to our data, the highest indicator of the loin eye area was among the pigs obtained through the crossing of crossbred female pigs LW x ST with male pigs of Pietrain, Duroc, Landrace breeds. The triple crossing pigs had the highest slaughter yield – 72.4-73.3%, compared to 69.4% for LW, and 70.5% for the two-breed rotation LW x ST. In terms of bone content, the differences were not significant and were statistically unreliable. The two-breed pigs LW x ST had the largest amount of kidney fat followed by LW and all of the triple crossed pigs. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The weight of the carcasses in the experimental groups ranged from 60.7 kg to 65.3 kg, and the pigs of the 3rd, 4th and 5th groups had the largest carcass weights, while the highest indicator was observed in the combination (LW x ST) x D. Keywords: pigs, meat quality, muscles, pig fat

REPLACING MAIZE WITH CASSAVA ROOT MEAL OR ITS MIXTURE WITH BREWERS YEAST SLURRY IN RABBIT DIETS

Three diets were evaluated for their effect on performance, carcass yield and organ measurements of finisher rabbits. The control was maize-based (MC) while, in the other two diets, cassava root meal (CR) or its mixture with brewers yeast slurry (CYS) replaced the maize. Five approximately 9-week old crossbred (Chinchilla X California X New Zealand White) rabbits which averaged 930g livewight, were allocated to each diet and fed individually for 70days. The rabbits were then slaughtered and their dressed carcasses and organs weighed. At 70days of feeding, the average livewighed of rabbits fed MC, CR and CYS were 2120g, 2026g and 2098g respectively. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were 66.80g, 64.92g and 60.70g, 15.65g and 16.29g and 3.92g and 4.15 and 3.64 for the respective diets. Warm dressing % and organ weight as percent of empty carcass weight did not differ significantly (P >0.05) among the diet. Kidney fat weight was lower (P <0.05) for CYS than for MC and CR. Replacement of maize with CR in the diet lowered (P < 0.05) rabbit performance while that with CYS allowed for more efficient utilization of the diet, and for leaner carcasses of rabbits

Effect of Breed Types and Castration on Carcass Characteristics of Boer and Large Frame Indigenous Veld Goats of Southern Africa

Weaner male Boer Goats (BG; n = 36; 21 bucks and 15 wethers) and large frame Indigenous Veld Goats (IVG; n = 41; 21 bucks and 20 wethers) were raised on hay and natural grass ad libitum and the recommended amount of commercial pelleted diet to a live weight between 30 and 35 kg. Carcass quality characteristics (live weight, carcass weights, dressing %, chilling loss and eye muscle area) were measured. The right sides of the carcasses were divided into wholesale cuts and dissected into subcutaneous fat, meat and bone. Large frame Indigenous Veld Goat (IVG) wethers were slightly lighter than the IVG bucks with no significant difference observed between BG. Wethers compared to bucks had higher dressing %, subcutaneous fat % in all primal cuts, intramuscular fat %, kidney fat % and, overall, slightly less bone %. Some breed–wether interactions were noticed: IVG wethers were slightly lighter than the IVG bucks, but the IVG bucks tended to produce higher % meat compared to other test groups. Judged on the intramuscular fat % characteristics, it seems as if wethers should produce juicier and more flavorsome meat compared to bucks.

Effect of Gender on Growth and Carcass Traits of Romney Marsh Lambs

The aim of present study was to assess the effect of the gender on growth and carcass traits in lambs of the Romney Marsh breed. The experimental animals were male lambs (n = 12) and female lambs (n = 12) of the Romney Marsh breed. All lambs were twins and all their mothers were on the second parity. With regard to body weights and daily gains (DGs), the gender had a significant effect only on birth weight and DG from birth to the slaughter, while in all monitored intervals the DGs were higher in male lambs (MLs). The lamb gender did not have a significant effect on the easy of lambing, body condition score, depth of musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (DMLLT) and thickness of backfat (TBF). However, values for DMLLT and TBF were higher in female lambs (FLs), which in case of DMLLT was not expected. Regarding the carcass traits, the gender had a significant effect only on the weights of kidney, kidney fat, leg and shoulder and on the proportions of kidney fat and shoulder. Interestingly, the gender had no significant effect on the conformation and fatness, while slightly better carcass conformation and slightly higher fatness were found in FLs. It can be concluded that FLs of the Romney Marsh breed showed comparable values for both the growth and carcass traits with MLs. Moreover, a slightly higher fatness of FLs is a prerequisite for better juiciness and tenderness of their meat, when this fact can be considered as a benefit in the marketing.