Abstract Carcass quality traits and the Longissimus thoracis (LT) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles, aged for 2 or 14 d, from sixty castrated (CM) and non-castrated (NCM) Brangus males, slaughtered at 16 (M16) or 20 (M20) mo of age (391 and 434 kg live weight; 3.81 and 4.25 mm backfat thickness respectively), were evaluated. The carcasses of castrated and younger animals weighed less than those of non-castrated and older ones (P<0.001). Castration produced more subcutaneous fat and lower rib eye areas (P<0.05). Temperature and pH decline was faster in younger animals, and final pH was lower in castrated (P< 0.05). While the Warner Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF) of LT was 9 % lower in castrated, and 7 % higher in younger animals (P<0.05); it decreased with a longer aging period (P<0.001). The WBSF of LT was positively associated with total collagen content (r= 0.54; P<0.01) and negatively with myofibrillary fragmentation index (r= -0.39; P<0.05). The WBSF of ST was not affected by animal castration or slaughter age (P>0.05), but decreased with a longer aging period (P<0.001), and was positively associated with total collagen content (r= 0.61; P<0.05). Both muscles from castrated slaughtered at younger ages had the higher L* values. It is concluded that castration and age at slaughter on Brangus males produced differences on WBSF values only on LT muscle where collagen is not the main determinant of shear force.

Resumen Se evaluaron los rasgos de calidad de la canal y los músculos Longissimus thoracis (LT) y semitendinoso (ST), madurados durante 2 o 14 días, de sesenta machos Brangus castrados (MC) y no castrados (MNC), sacrificados a los 16 (M16) o 20 (M20) meses de edad (391 y 434 kg de peso vivo; 3.81 y 4.25 mm de grosor de la grasa dorsal, respectivamente). Las canales de los animales castrados y más jóvenes pesaron menos que las de los no castrados y de mayor edad (P<0.001). La castración produjo más grasa subcutánea y áreas del ojo de la costilla menores (P<0.05). La disminución de la temperatura y el pH fue más rápida en los animales más jóvenes, y el pH final fue menor en los castrados (P<0.05). Mientras que la Fuerza de Cizalla de Warner-Bratzler (FCWB) de LT fue 9 % menor en los castrados, y 7 % mayor en animales más jóvenes (P<0.05); disminuyó con un período de maduración más largo (P<0.001). La FCWB de LT se asoció positivamente con el contenido de colágeno total (r= 0.54; P<0.01) y negativamente con el índice de fragmentación miofibrilar (r= -0.39; P<0.05). La FCWB de ST no se vio afectada por la castración o la edad de sacrificio del animal (P>0.05), pero disminuyó con un período de maduración más largo (P<0.001), y se asoció positivamente con el contenido de colágeno total (r= 0.61; P<0.05). Ambos músculos de castrados sacrificados a edades más tempranas presentaron los valores más altos de L*. Se concluye que la castración y la edad de sacrificio en machos Brangus produjeron diferencias en los valores de FCWB solo en el músculo LT, donde el colágeno no es el principal determinante de la fuerza de cizalla.

To evaluate the effects of glutamine (Gln) supplementation on sow performance during late gestation and lactation and their offspring, eighty pregnant, multiparous sows of a commercial hybrid line were used in a completely randomized, 2 χ 2 experimental design at the end of gestation and lactation, respectively. Females were subjected to a control diet or a Gln-supplemented diet (1% of L-glutamine) from 85 d of gestation until farrowing. During lactation, the dietary treatment groups were CON_C: without Gln supplementation; CON_G: Gln only during lactation; GLN_C: Gln only during gestation; GLN_ GLN: Gln during gestation and lactation. At 105 d of gestation, there was no statistical difference regarding the body weight of the sows, however, sows fed the Gln-supplemented diet had greater backfat thickness at P1 and loin depth at P2 than control sows. Placental weight and efficiency showed no effect between treatments. Litters born from Gln-supplemented sows tended to be heavier at birth compared to control litters, reducing the probability of piglets weighing less than 1.5 kg. In addition, litters from supplemented sows had a lower standard deviation of BW at birth. There were no effects of dietary treatments on the performance of sows and offspring during the lactation period. Maternal Gln supplementation during late gestation improved piglet weight and litter uniformity at birth without affecting sow body composition after farrowing.

Carcass characteristics and primal pork cuts of local pig breeds are rarely documented, therefore, the current study was conducted to establish the relation between incremental levels of Amarula oil cake (AOC), carcass traits, primal pork cuts, and relative internal organ weight of Windsnyer pigs. Twenty-five clinically healthy, growing, male Windsnyer pigs with an initial body weight of 19.92 ± 8.74 kg (mean ± standard deviation) were used. Pigs were used in their growing period when they were about 67 days old. The study lasted six weeks excluding one week of adaptation period. Pigs were allotted to pens in a completely randomized design and assigned to each of the five experimental diets, which contained 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg DM of Amarula oil cake, respectively. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Post slaughter, data for carcass characteristics, primal pork cuts, and relative organ weights of Windsnyer pigs were analysed using polynomial regression. There was a negative linear relationship between increasing levels of Amarula oil cake, carcass length, warm carcass weight and cold carcass weight. Stomach weight, backfat thickness, drip loss, and the hepatosomatic index increased linearly with increasing levels of Amarula oil cake. The kidneys, small intestines, and large intestine weight had a quadratic response to Amarula oil cake inclusion level. The heart, lungs, and spleen were not related to increasing levels of Amarula oil cake inclusion. Incremental levels of Amarula oil cake diets impaired carcass characteristics and the selected visceral organs, therefore Windsnyer pigs can be fed Amarula oil cake up to100 grams per kilograms dry matter.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the polymorphism of the silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) gene in 103 Congjiang Xiang pigs from Southwest China. We searched for SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) loci of SIRT5 gene through sequence alignment and PCR. We obtained nine SNP loci: g.14135 A>C (intron 6), g.14247 C>A (intron 6), g.14305 C>T (exon 7), g.14335 C>T (exon 7), g.16603 T>C (intron 7), g.16613 T>C (intron 7), g.16800 G>A (intron 7), g.16812 C>G (intron 7), and g.16916 A>G (exon 8). Further analysis of SNP genotypes associated with the carcass traits of skin thickness, backfat thickness, and eye muscle area was carried out in pigs. We found that the genotypes g.14305 C>T (CC) and g.16812 C>G (CG) had certain advantages for improving the carcass traits of Congjiang Xiang pigs. The haplotype combination of the SIRT5 gene that improved skin thickness was H2H3:CCGGCTCA. These results may provide empirical support for molecular-based breeding of carcass traits in Congjiang Xiang pigs. SIRT (SIRT5 10 China single PCR g14135 g 14135 g.1413 AC A C intron 6, 6 , 6) g14247 14247 g.1424 CA g14305 14305 g.1430 CT T exon 7, 7 7) g14335 14335 g.1433 g16603 16603 g.1660 TC g16613 16613 g.1661 g16800 16800 g.1680 GA G g16812 16812 g.1681 CG g16916 16916 g.1691 AG 8. 8 . 8) CC (CC (CG H2H3CCGGCTCA. H2H3CCGGCTCA HHCCGGCTCA H2H3 CCGGCTCA. CCGGCTCA H H2H3:CCGGCTCA molecularbased molecular based (SIRT 1 g1413 1413 g.141 g1424 1424 g.142 g1430 1430 g.143 g1433 1433 g1660 1660 g.166 g1661 1661 g1680 1680 g.168 g1681 1681 g1691 1691 g.169 HH H2H g141 141 g.14 g142 142 g143 143 g166 166 g.16 g168 168 g169 169 g14 14 g.1 g16 16 g1 g.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a finishing diet added with sugar beet pulp to reduce backfat skatole of entire male pigs, using the optimised high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. The study comprised 72 males Pietrain (Large White × Landrace), divided into two groups of 36 animals each. Pigs in group A (treatment) were fed a supplemented formula (addition of 10 % beet pulp). while animals in group B (control) received a commercial feed, both for a period of 14 days before slaughter. The isocratic HPLC method achieved the chromatographic separation of indolic compounds in approximately 3 min. Skatole was significantly lower ( p = 0.002) in group A, showing that beet root supplementation reduced skatole levels in pig fat. In addition, the optimised HPLC method was reliable, less time-consuming, and showed a resolution suitable for small amounts of skatole. pigs highperformance high performance (HPLC 7 Large Landrace, Landrace , Landrace) each treatment (treatment addition 1 pulp. . pulp) control (control feed slaughter min 0.002 0002 0 002 fat reliable timeconsuming, timeconsuming time consuming, consuming time-consuming 0.00 000 00 0.0 0.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a associação do polimorfismo dos genes da Diacilglicerol Aciltransferase ( DGAT) e Leptina – (L EP ) em relação ao desempenho, características de carcaça, qualidade de carne e perfil lipídico de bovinos Nelore. Para o estudo, foram utilizados um total de 100 bovinos nelores machos inteiros e avaliado os parâmetros de desempenho, composição da carcaça, composição físico-química, centesimal e perfil lipídico da carne. Para identificação dos polimorfismos foi utilizada a técnica de PCR-SSCP a partir da extração do DNA genômico do tecido muscular. A técnica de SSCP revelou a presença de quatro padrões de banda para o gene DGAT (AC, AD, AE e BB) com cinco alelos (A, B, C, D e E) e, para o gene LEP foram verificados cinco padrões de bandas (AA, AB, AC, BB e BC) com três alelos (A, B e C). Para o gene LEP, o genótipo AB foi associado a maior espessura de gordura subcutânea e peso do corte ponta de agulha, enquanto o genótipo BB foi associado a menor rendimento do corte ponta de agulha; maior rendimento do corte traseiro foi associado aos genótipos AC e BB. Maiores teores de C17:0, C18:0 e menores de C18: 2ω6C, total de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados, total de ω6 e a relação de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados e saturados (POL/SAT) foram verificados para o genótipo AC do gene LEP. Os genótipos AC e AA do gene LEP foram associados a maiores médias de C15:0 e C18:1ω9t. Para o gene DGAT, os maiores teores de C24:0 foram associados o genótipo AE e o menores aos genótipos AD e BB. A ocorrência de polimorfismo nos genes DGAT e LEP revelaram influência destes sobre parâmetros de carcaça e perfil lipídico da carne de bovinos Nelore. Objetivouse Objetivou se L desempenho Nelore 10 físicoquímica, físicoquímica físico química, química físico-química PCRSSCP PCR muscular (AC A, (A C E AA, (AA BC C. . C) agulha C170, C170 C17 0, 0 C17:0 C180 C18 2ω6C ωC ω poliinsaturados, poliinsaturados poli insaturados, insaturados POL/SAT POLSAT POL SAT (POL/SAT C150 C15 C15: C181ω9t. C181ω9t Cωt 1ω9t. 1ω9t t C18:1ω9t C240 C24 C24: 1 C1 C17: ωt C2

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of polymorphisms in the diacylglycerol acyltransferase ( DGAT ) and leptin ( LEP ) genes with the performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and lipid profile of Nellore cattle. A total of 100 intact male Nelore cattle were used to analyze the performance, carcass, physicochemical and centesimal composition, and fatty acid profile of beef. To identify the polymorphisms, the PCR–single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique was applied to genomic DNA extracted from muscle tissue. The SSCP technique revealed the presence of four band patterns for the DGAT gene (AC, AD, AE and BB) with five alleles (A, B, C, D and E). For the LEP gene, five band patterns (AA, AB, AC, BB and BC) with three alleles (A, B and C) were observed. For the LEP gene, the AB genotype was associated with higher backfat thickness and ribs weight, while the BB genotype was associated with lower ribs yield; higher hindquarter yield was associated with AC and BB genotypes. Higher contents of C17:0, C18:0 and lower contents of C18:2ω6C, total polyunsaturated fatty acids, total ω6 and ratio of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids (PUFA/SFA) were verified for the AC genotype of the LEP gene. The AC and AA genotypes of the LEP gene were associated with higher means of C15:0 and C18:1ω9t. For the DGAT gene, the highest C24:0 content was associated with the AE genotype and the lowest with the AD and BB genotypes. Polymorphisms in the DGAT and LEP genes influence carcass parameters and the lipid profile of the meat of Nellore cattle. performance characteristics quality 10 composition beef PCR–singlestrand PCRsinglestrand PCR–single strand PCR single (SSCP tissue (AC A, (A C E. E . E) AA, (AA BC observed weight C170, C170 C17 0, 0 C17:0 C180 C18 C18: C182ω6C, C182ω6C CωC 2ω6C, 2ω6C ω C18:2ω6C PUFA/SFA PUFASFA PUFA SFA (PUFA/SFA C150 C15 C15: C181ω9t. C181ω9t Cωt 1ω9t. 1ω9t t C18:1ω9t C240 C24 C24: 1 singlestrand PCRsingle C1 C17: ωC ωt C2

Resumo Neste estudo foi explorado o efeito do melaço de cana-de-açúcar em substituição parcial ao milho na dieta sobre os parâmetros sanguíneos e a composição do músculo longissimus thoracis (LT) de suínos em crescimento. Vinte leitoas com 63 dias de idade, pesando 28,98 ± 3,56 kg foram aleatoriamente distribuídas nos tratamentos controle ou melaço de canade-açúcar. O melaço foi incluído ao nível de 3% em substituição parcial ao milho na dieta. Ao início e ao final do experimento foram coletadas amostras de sangue dos animais. Os animais foram abatidos aos 110 dias de idade após 47 dias de experimento pesando 67,9 ± 5,58 kg e uma amostra do músculo LT foi extraída e avaliada. Cada animal foi considerado uma unidade experimental. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos sobre o comprimento e a área do músculo LT. A espessura de toucinho foi reduzida ao utilizar o tratamento melaço de cana-de-açúcar (5,80 mm) em relação ao tratamento controle (8,90 mm) (P < 0,05). Níveis mais elevados da enzima gama-glutamil transferase (GGT) foram observados nos animais do tratamento controle (67,10 UI/L) em comparação aos animais do tratamento melaço de cana-de-açucar (49,90 UI/L) (P < 0,05). A composição proximal e o perfil e qualidade dos ácidos graxos não foram influenciados pelo tratamento. O melaço de cana-de-açúcar utilizado como fonte energética em substituição parcial ao milho na dieta de suínos em crescimento ao nível de 3% reduziu a espessura de toucinho da carcaça de suínos e melhorou a concentração sérica da enzima gama-glutamil transferase de suínos. canadeaçúcar cana açúcar (LT 6 2898 28 98 28,9 356 3 56 3,5 canadeaçúcar. canade açúcar. canade-açúcar 11 4 679 67 9 67, 558 5 58 5,5 avaliada experimental 5,80 580 80 (5,8 mm 8,90 890 8 90 (8,9 P 0,05. 005 0,05 . 0 05 0,05) gamaglutamil gama glutamil GGT (GGT 67,10 6710 10 (67,1 UI/L UIL UI L canadeaçucar açucar 49,90 4990 49 (49,9 289 2 28, 35 3, 1 55 5, 5,8 (5, 8,9 89 (8, 00 0,0 67,1 671 (67, 49,9 499 (49, (5 8, (8 0, (67 49, (49 ( (6 (4

Abstract The effect of sugar cane molasses, as a partial replacement to corn in the diet, on blood parameters and composition of the M. longissimus thoracis (LT) in growing pigs was explored in this study. Twenty female pigs aged 63 days, and weighing 28.98 ± 3.56 kg, were randomly assigned to either the control or sugar cane molasses treatments. Molasses was included at the 3% level to partially replace corn in their diet. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the experiments. The animals were slaughtered at 110 days of age after 47 days in the experiment, weighing 67.9 ± 5.58 kg, and an LT muscle sample was extracted and evaluated. Each animal was considered an experimental unit. The treatment had no effect on the length and area of the LT muscle. Backfat thickness was reduced when using the sugar cane molasses treatment (5.80 mm) compared to the control treatment (8.90 mm) (P < 0.05). Higher enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were observed in animals of the control treatment (67.10 IU/L) compared to animals treated with the sugar cane molasses treatment (49.90 IU/L) (P < 0.05). Moreover, the proximal composition, fatty acid profile, and quality were not influenced by treatment. Sugar cane molasses, used as an energy source to partially replace corn in the diet of growing pigs at a level of 3%, reduced the backfat thickness of the pig carcass and improved the serum concentration of the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase in pigs. M (LT study 6 2898 28 98 28.9 356 3 56 3.5 kg treatments experiments 11 4 experiment 679 67 9 67. 558 5 58 5.5 evaluated unit 5.80 580 80 (5.8 mm 8.90 890 8 90 (8.9 P 0.05. 005 0.05 . 0 05 0.05) gammaglutamyl gamma glutamyl GGT (GGT 67.10 6710 10 (67.1 IU/L IUL IU L 49.90 4990 49 (49.9 Moreover profile 289 2 28. 35 3. 1 55 5. 5.8 (5. 8.9 89 (8. 00 0.0 67.1 671 (67. 49.9 499 (49. (5 8. (8 0. (67 49. (49 ( (6 (4

Growth, slaughter performance, and blood metabolic markers were evaluated in Windsnyer (W), Large White (LW) × Landrace (LR), and three-way crossbred (W × LW × LR) pigs fed control (soybean cake), sprouted, or roasted iso-nutrient, cowpea, maize-based diets. Twelve male pigs of each genotype with initial live weights of 15 ± 2.3 kg, 37 ± 1.4 kg, and 39 ± 1.2 kg (10-11% degree of maturity) were used. The pigs were on the trial diets for eight weeks in a balanced factorial experiment replicated four times. The growth rates were W × LW × LR > LW × LR > W, and control > sprouted cowpeas > roasted cowpea diets. Scaled to pig metabolic (weight 0.75), feed intake was greatest in the control, followed by sprouted cowpeas and roasted cowpeas, and pig BW was W × LW × LR > LW × LR > W. The feed conversion was control < sprouted cowpeas < roasted cowpea diet. Pigs on the control diet recorded the highest back fat thickness, with the least backfat in LW × LR pigs. The LW × LR pigs had more backfat on roasted than on sprouted cowpeas, whereas W pigs had more backfat on roasted cowpeas. Scaled (% live weight) liver and kidney sizes were largest in W pigs, and the kidney size was larger on roasted cowpeas. Blood marker profiles were aligned to pig growth and slaughter performance, with low total protei n, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase activity in LW × LR pigs; sprouted cowpeas caused elevated plasma urea, albumin, and the alkaline phosphatase activity. The W pigs had low plasma creatinine and high cholesterol levels, with elevated cholesterol on sprouted cowpeas. The LW × LR and W × LW × LR genotypes had better growth and slaughter performance than the W pigs; cowpea was inferior to the control diet, with better efficiency on sprouted, rather than roasted, cowpeas. Pig responses to roasting or sprouting cowpeas were considered largely independent of the genotype.

One hundred and twelve cross- and purebred pasture-reared lambs were slaughtered at optimal backfat thickness (4 mm). Selected slaughter, carcass, and meat quality characteristics of these animals were assessed. Slaughter age, but not weight, was influenced by genotype, whereas rams were younger and heavier at slaughter than ewes. Throughout, the crossbred genotypes were younger at slaughter than their purebred contemporaries. Merinos had a lower dressing percentage (40.74%) than Dohne Merinos (43.89%), which in turn dressed out substantially lower than all crossbred combinations (~47%). Genotype did not influence the fat or bone percentage in the carcass, but differences existed for the meat percentage. Meat from all groups could be described as very tender (<32.96 N) and acceptable even to consumers not preferring pasture-produced lamb. The reduced slaughter age of crossbred lambs presents the possibility of shortening the production cycle of lamb while simultaneously increasing carcass yields.

The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of the dietary inclusion of liquid-fermented potato hash with or without exogenous enzyme on fermentation characteristics and carcass characteristics of pigs. Forty-two crossbred, male pigs (Large White × Landrace) aged 55 d with an average body weight of 25.5 ± 3 kg (mean ± standard deviation) were selected. Six pigs were randomly allocated to seven experimental dietary treatments. The dietary treatments included dry standard feed; liquid-fermented standard feed; liquid-fermented potato hash, 200 g/kg (as fed), with and without exogenous enzymes; and liquid-fermented potato hash, 400 g/kg (as fed), with and without exogenous enzymes. The back-slopping fermentation approach was followed to prepare experimental diets. Diets were formulated to provide 14 MJ/kg digestible energy (DE), 180 g crude protein (CP)/kg and 11.6 g lysine /kg. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae, yeast, moulds, and Escherichia coli in the liquid-fermented diet with or without potato hash were influenced by the addition of enzymes. An effect of diet and enzymes was observed on lactic acid and water-soluble carbohydrates. The low and high liquid-fermented potato hash diets without enzymes had a higher pH than the low and high liquid-fermented potato hash diets with enzymes after 8 and 24 hr. Fermented potato hash with or without enzymes led to high drip loss and lean percentage. Carcass traits improved in pigs fed less liquid-fermented potato hash with or without enzymes.

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare the effect of the patent vs. generic sources of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, primary cut yields, and meat quality of lambs finished in feedlot. Thirty (30) Dorper×Pelibuey male lambs were distributed into 10 blocks, each with three lambs of similar initial live weight which were randomly assigned to the following treatments: 1) without ZH (control), 2) with patent ZH (PZH), and 3) with generic ZH (GZH). Treatment means were compared through two orthogonal contrasts: control vs. ZH (PZH+GZH) and PZH vs. GZH. ZH did not affect (P≥0.15) the productive performance, carcass weight, backfat thickness, or fat percentages (kidney-pelvic-heart, mesenteric or omental), but increased (P≤0.05) Longissimus dorsi muscle area and yields of carcass, shoulder, leg, and plain loin. As for the meat quality, ZH did not affect (P≥0.24) pH and shear force, but reduced (P<0.05) redness, yellowness, and chroma color values at 24 h post mortem, as well as the redness value (P<0.01) at 14 days of aging. With exception of carcass yield which tended (P=0.07) to increase with PZH, all measured variables were similar (P≥0.14) between PZH and GZH. It has been concluded that both types of ZH at a dose of 0.10 mg per kg of live weight promote muscular hypertrophy in finishing lambs; however, this dosage is not sufficient to result in a better productive performance or carcass weight.

Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el efecto de la fuente del clorhidrato de zilpaterol (CZ; patente vs genérico) sobre el comportamiento productivo, características de la canal, rendimientos de cortes primarios y calidad de la carne de corderos finalizados en corral. Se distribuyeron 30 corderos Dorper ×Pelibuey en 10 bloques donde cada bloque tenía tres corderos de similar peso vivo inicial, los cuales se asignaron aleatoriamente a los siguientes tratamientos: 1) sin CZ (testigo), 2) con CZ de patente (CZP), y 3) con CZ genérico (CZG). Las medias de tratamientos se compararon a través de dos contrastes ortogonales: testigo vs. CZ (CZP+CZG) y CZP vs. CZG. El CZ no afectó (P≥0.15) el comportamiento productivo, peso de la canal, espesor de grasa dorsal, ni los porcentajes de grasa (riñón-corazón-pelvis, mesentérica u omental), pero aumentó (P≤0.05) el área del músculo Longissimus dorsi y los rendimientos de canal, paleta, pierna y lomo plano. En calidad de la carne, el CZ no afectó (P≥0.24) el pH y esfuerzo al corte, pero redujo (P<0.05) los valores de color rojizo, amarillento y chroma a las 24 h post mortem, y también los valores de rojizo (P<0.01) a los 14 días de maduración. Con excepción del rendimiento en canal que tendió (P=0.07) a ser mayor con CZP, todas las variables medidas fueron similares (P≥0.14) entre CZP y CZG. Se concluye que ambos tipos de CZ a una dosis de 0.10 mg/kg de peso vivo promueven hipertrofia muscular en corderos de finalización, pero no es suficiente para reflejarse en mejor comportamiento productivo y peso de la canal.

Abstract In order to describe the effects of origin (Mexico and United States of America), sex, age at slaughter (AS, 4 categories), body condition score (BCS, 5 categories) and slaughter weight (SW, 4 categories) on carcass characteristics of culled quarter horses, data from 235 horses sacrificed in the same slaughter facility within a 150 days period were analyzed. Overall, 74.5% were from the US, 80% were < 15 years of age and had BCS ≤ 4, and sex proportion was similar (51.5% female vs 48.5% males). Horses from USA had heavier SW (27%), leg circumference (4%), carcass weight (4.2%) and carcass yield (2.9%). Sex did not affect any characteristics evaluated. Horses from 3 to 8 years had greater rib eye area (REA) and backfat thickness. Except for leg length, as BCS and SW improved, all carcass characteristics linearly increased as BCS and SW increased. It is concluded that origin, sex, and age, explained very little on the carcass characteristics. The slaughter weight mainly explained changes in linear measures, carcass weight, and compact index, while BCS mainly explained carcass yield and REA.

Resumen Para describir los efectos de origen (México y Estados Unidos de América), sexo, edad al sacrificio (AS, 4 categorías), puntaje de condición corporal (BCS, 5 categorías) y peso de faena (SW, 4 categorías) se utilizaron datos de 235 caballos cuartos de milla sacrificados en una misma instalación durante un período de 150 días. Del total, el 74.5 % provenían de EUA, el 80 % fue <15 años y una BCS ≤ 4, la proporción de sexos fue similar (51.5 % hembras vs 48.5 % machos). Los caballos EUA presentaron mayor SW (27 %), circunferencia de pierna (4 %), peso en canal (4.2 %) y rendimiento en canal (2.9 %). El sexo no afectó ninguna característica evaluada. Los caballos de 3 a 8 años presentaron mayor área del ojo de la costilla (REA) y grasa dorsal. Exceptuando la longitud de pierna, las características de la canal aumentaron linealmente a medida que aumentaron BCS y SW. Se concluye que origen, sexo y edad explican poco sobre las características de la canal. El peso al sacrifico explicó principalmente los cambios en las medidas lineales, peso de la canal e índice compacto, mientras que BCS explicó principalmente el rendimiento de la canal y REA.

Abstract: The aim was to evaluate the effect of dietary addition of a polyherbal phytogenic (Animunin) on the productive performance and blood biochemistry in finishing lambs. Forty Hampshire × Suffolk males lambs (initial body weight 26.52 ± 2.13 kg) were allocated according to a completely randomized design in four treatments. Treatments consisted of dietary inclusion of the Animunin at 0, 1, 2, and 3 g kg-1 dry matter (DM). Animunin addition was not modified (p > 0.05) the productive performance, DM intake, backfat thickness, chop area, energy and protein metabolites, or liver enzymes. While hematocrit, hemoglobin and erythrocytes showed a quadratic response (p ≤ 0.05) with Animunin. The polyherbal phytogenic evaluated did not improve lamb’s productive performance and metabolites related with immune response.

Resumen: El objetivo fue evaluar el efecto de la adición dietaría de un fitogénico poliherbal (Animunin) sobre el comportamiento productivo y la bioquímica sanguínea en corderos. Se utilizaron 40 corderos machos Hampshire × Suffolk con peso vivo inicial de 26.52 ± 2.13 kg, distribuidos en un diseño completamente al azar en cuatro tratamientos. Los tratamientos fueron la inclusión de Animunin a 0, 1, 2 y 3 g kg-1 de materia seca (MS). La adición de Animunin no modifico (p > 0.05) el comportamiento productivo, el consumo de MS, el espesor de grasa dorsal, el área de la chuleta, los metabolitos energéticos y proteicos, o las enzimas hepáticas. Mientras que el hematocrito, la hemoglobina y los eritrocitos mostraron una respuesta cuadrática (p ≤ 0.05) a la adición de Animunin. El fitogénico poliherbal no mejoró el comportamiento productivo ni los metabolitos relacionados con la respuesta inmune de corderos.

ABSTRACT We aimed to estimate genetic parameters for growth, reproductive, and carcass traits in Tabapuã cattle. Phenotypic data were collected between 1990 and 2019 in 1,218 farms, and the pedigree file had 340,868 animals. The traits evaluated were body weight at 120 (W120), 210 (W210), 365 (W365), and 550 (W550) days of age; age at first calving (AFC), scrotal circumference at 365 days of age (SC365), ribeye area (REA), backfat thickness (BF), and rump fat thickness (RF). The (co)variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method, considering single and two-traits animal models. For all traits, the models considered fixed, direct additive genetic, and residual random effects. In addition, for W120 and W210, the maternal additive genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects were also included. Heritabilities for W120, W210, W365, W550, SC365, REA, BF, and RF were of moderate magnitude (0.15, 0.16, 0.23, 0.19, 0.22, 0.36, 0.31, and 0.27, respectively). Low heritability was observed for AFC (0.07). The genetic correlations between growth traits were higher than 0.90, while AFC and SC365 presented negative moderate correlation (−0.66). The REA showed low genetic correlations with BF (0.07) and RF (0.07), whereas BF and RF were highly correlated (0.77). Considering the heritability estimates, selection for AFC would result in limited genetic gain, while for the other traits, it would be satisfactory. Based on the high genetic correlations between growth traits, selection of Tabapuã animals can be performed at younger ages. Additionally, animals can be indirectly selected for AFC through SC365, and only one fat thickness trait may be used in the selection process considering the high genetic correlation and similar heritability values for BF and RF.

Abstract The aim was to evaluate the association between growth, carcass and visual scores traits with precocious calving in Nellore cattle. Birth weight (BW), weight at 120, 210, 365 and 450 days of age, pre and post-weaning average daily gain, rib eye area, backfat thickness (BF), rump fat thickness and visual scores obtained at 18 months were used for the analysis. Records from 700 females born between 2009 and 2015, exposed to mating starting at 11 months of age were analyzed. Discriminant analyzes were performed with the software Statistica. BW and BF showed the highest (P>0.01) discrimination value for early heifer pregnancy (EP). Extreme intrauterine growth retardation can result in slower growth, which reflects in the worst reproductive performance, confirmed by the variation in BW between precocious and conventional heifers. The results also demonstrate that the level of body fat affects begin of puberty. Bone structure, musculature, depth, tail insertion and rump scores presented the highest discrimination value for EP. These traits can be used as selection tools to improve sexual precocity in female Nellore cattle. The results obtained in this study would support farmers to guide the heifer management and decisions in order to enhance the EP.