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This study aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary concentrate-to-forage ratios on slaughter performance, meat quality, rumen fermentation, rumen microbiota and fecal microbiota in Tibetan sheep. A total of sixty male Tibetan sheep were equally allocated into three dietary groups based on concentrate-to-forage ratios, i.e., 30:70 (C30), 50:50 (C50), and 70:30 (C70). Compared with the C30 group, sheep fed the C70 diet resulted in a higher ( p < 0.05) slaughter live weight (SLW), hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage (DP), eye muscle area, average daily gain (ADG), and ruminal total volatile fatty acids concentration and propionate molar proportion and lower ( p < 0.05) shear force and cooking loss of meat, and ruminal acetate molar proportion and acetate:propionate ratio. Sheep in the C50 group exhibited a higher ( p < 0.05) SLW, HCW, ADG, and ruminal propionate molar proportion and lower ( p < 0.05) shear force and cooking loss of meat, and ruminal acetate molar proportion and acetate: propionate ratio compared with the C30 group. In rumen fluid, the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio was lower ( p = 0.031) in the C30 group, and that of Ruminococcus was higher ( p = 0.003) in the C70 group compared with the C50 group. In feces, genus Monoglobus and UCG&#95;002 were the most abundant in the C30 group ( p < 0.05), and the relative abundance of Prevotella was significantly higher in the C70 group than in other groups ( p = 0.013). Correlation analysis revealed possible links between slaughter performance and meat quality and altered microbiota composition in the rumen and feces of Tibetan sheep. Overall, feeding a C70 diet resulted in superior carcass characteristics and meat quality in Tibetan sheep, thus laying a theoretical basis for the application of short-term remote feeding during the cold season.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of carcasses, monitor their pH evolution during the first 24 h post-mortem, and determine the time required for the establishment and resolution of rigor mortis in different categories of Botucatu rabbits. Live weight at slaughter, carcass weight, and yield were higher in 12-month-old animals compared to 3-month-old rabbits, regardless of sex. There was an effect of muscle type, age, and sex on the kinetics of muscle acidification, with the Biceps femoris showing a significantly higher pH than the Longissimus lumborum from 4 h post-mortem onward. The establishment of rigor mortis occurred at 5 h post-mortem in young rabbits and bucks and at 6 h post-mortem in does, along with pH stabilization, while the resolution of rigor occurred at 18 h post-mortem for all types of carcasses evaluated. In conclusion, Botucatu rabbit carcasses should be chilled continuously at 4 °C for a minimum of 18 h to ensure efficient rigor mortis progression and muscle-to-meat transformation throughout the carcass.

This systematic review examines the impact of varying Spirulina ( Limnospira platensis ) intake levels on broiler chickens, focusing on growth performance, blood health markers and carcass traits. The data revealed cumulative Spirulina intakes from 3.13 g to 521 g per bird (total feed consumed multiplied by its proportion in the diet) establish a cubic relationship between dosage and growth outcomes. Initial benefits peak and diminish with increased intake, with the optimal threshold for growth performance identified at 45 g per bird. Lower intakes between 14 g and 29 g per bird enhance blood health markers, improving lipid profiles and antioxidant capacity. Similarly, cumulative intakes of 14 g to 37 g per bird optimise meat quality, resulting in better dressing percentages, breast and thigh yields and meat tenderness while minimizing undesirable traits like abdominal fat and cooking loss. These findings underscore the importance of precisely calibrated Spirulina supplementation strategies to maximise growth, health and meat quality benefits while avoiding adverse effects at higher doses. Future research should focus on identifying optimal dosage and duration, assessing long-term implications, elucidating mechanisms of action and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Comparative studies with other feed additives could further establish Spirulina's effectiveness and economic viability in poultry production.

This study evaluated the impact of supplementing ZH in combination with D3 on the growth performance, energy efficiency, carcass traits, and meat quality of feedlot lambs. Thirty-two Dorper × Katahdin cross lambs (37.3 ± 5.72 kg) were utilized in a 29 d experiment in a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial structure consisting of two levels of ZH for 26 d (0 and 0.20 mg/kg PV -1 ) and two levels of D3 for 7 d (0 and 1.5 × 10 6 IU/d -1 ). ZH improved ( p ≤ 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency by 9.9% and 17.8%, respectively, as well as hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing carcass by 4.3% and 2.6%, respectively. ( p ≤ 0.03). However, ZH increased ( p < 0.01) muscle pH and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) (2.5 and 23.0%, respectively). D3 supplementation negatively affected ( p ≤ 0.02) dry matter intake (DMI) (last 7 d) and ADG by 15.7% and 18.1%. On the other hand, D3 improved the pH of the longissimus thoracis muscle by 1.7% ( p = 0.03) without affecting WBSF. When D3 was supplemented in combination with ZH, it was observed that meat quality was improved by reducing muscle pH compared to lambs treated only with ZH. However, D3 did not improve the meat tenderness negatively affected by ZH supplementation.

The Italian pig sector requires heavy pigs (raised for at least nine months and slaughtered at >160 kg). In order to avoid boar taint and lower the impact on welfare, immunocastration provides an alternative to surgical castration. This study investigated the effects of immunocastration compared to surgical castration on the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of loins ( longissimus dorsi muscle) and adipose tissue in Italian heavy pigs raised for dry-cured ham. Twenty-four male pigs were subjected to surgical castration ( n = 12) or immunocastration ( n = 12). Carcass parameters were monitored at slaughter, and samples of longissimus dorsi muscle and subcutaneous fat were analysed. This study showed no significant differences in carcass characteristics and proximate composition of fresh meat. However, variations were observed in the fatty acid profiles of meat and adipose tissue between groups. Notably, saturated fatty acids, particularly stearic acid (18:0), were higher in the intramuscular fat (IMF) of the immunocastrated pigs compared to the surgically castrated pigs. Conversely, monounsaturated fatty acids, predominantly oleic acid (18:1n-9), were higher in the IMF from the surgically castrated pigs compared to the immunocastrated pigs. While immunocastration may offer benefits in terms of animal growth and carcass composition, it could lead to unfavourable lipid changes in fresh loin meat for Italian heavy pigs.

The aim of this study was to assess the carcass and meat quality of female Lidia cattle slaughtered at different ages, in order to deepen our understanding of the breed's unique characteristics. The effect of slaughter age on carcass traits and meat quality attributes of m. Longissimus was investigated in Lidia heifers ( n = 200) and cows ( n = 100) reared and finished in an extensive system. The animals were slaughtered at 24-36 months (Heifer I), 36-48 months (Heifer II) or >48 months (Cull cow). The carcasses (~120 kg) presented poor conformation (O, O+) and medium fatness (2, 2+). The dissection of the 6th rib yielded mean values of 58.6%, 14.3% and 24.8% for lean, fat and bone, respectively. The cows had a higher proportion of dissectible fat ( p < 0.05). Subcutaneous fat was classified as dark and yellowish, and meat (aged for 21 days) as dark (L* = 25.5), reddish (a* = 14.4) and moderately yellowish (b* = 12.9), with acceptable water-holding capacity (TL = 5.34%; DL = 0.97%; PL = 8.9%; CL = 22.1%) and intermediate tenderness (WBSF = 4.6 kg/cm 2 ). The b* value of meat was higher ( p < 0.05) in cull cows. The meat of cull cows was more yellowish ( p < 0.05) and obtained higher scores for flavor ( p < 0.05), juiciness p < 0.01), overall tenderness ( p < 0.001) and overall acceptance ( p < 0.001).

As an excellent chicken breed found in a high-altitude zone of northern China, Lindian chickens are characterized by good egg and meat production, strong adaptability, cold tolerance, rough feeding resistance, excellent egg quality, and delicious meat quality. To facilitate the exploitation of the unique qualities of the Lindian chicken, the varying patterns and correlations of various body size and carcass traits of 3-22-week-old Lindian chickens were analyzed in this study. The optimal growth model of these traits was determined by growth curve fitting analysis. The results showed that most traits of Lindian chickens increased steadily with increasing age, and most of them increased rapidly before 10 weeks of age. In addition, the inflection point age of each trait was predicted to be between 4 and 10 weeks. Furthermore, this study revealed that body size traits were closely related to carcass traits in Lindian chickens. In summary, Lindian chickens are in a rapid growth stage before the age of 10 weeks, and better slaughter performance can be achieved through good feeding management during this stage. The reproductive traits and muscles are the main developmental focus after the age of 19 weeks, so it is important to adequately meet their energy requirements for subsequent good breeding performance.

Hormone-sensitive lipase ( HSL ) is involved in the breakdown of triacylglycerols in adipose tissue, which influences muscle tenderness and juiciness by affecting the intramuscular fat content (IMF). This study analyzed the association between different genotypes and haplotypes of the yak HSL gene and carcass and meat quality traits. We used hybridization pool sequencing to detect exon 2, exon 8, and intron 3 variants of the yak HSL gene and genotyped 525 Gannan yaks via KASP to analyze the effects of the HSL gene variants on the carcass and meat quality traits in yaks. According to the results, the HSL gene is highly expressed in yak adipose tissue. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, with 2 of them located in the coding region and one in the intron region. Variants in the 2 coding regions resulted in amino acid changes. The population had 3 genotypes of GG, AG, and AA, and individuals with the AA genotype had lower WBSF values ( p < 0.05). The H3H3 haplotype combinations could improve meat tenderness by reducing the WBSF values and the cooking loss rate (CLR) ( p < 0.05). H1H1 haplotype combinations were associated with the increased drip loss rate (DLR) ( p < 0.05). The presence of the H1 haplotype was associated the increased CLR in yaks, while that of the H2 haplotype was associated with the decreased DLR in yaks ( p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that the HSL gene may influence the meat quality traits in yaks by affecting the IMF content in muscle tissues. Consequently, the HSL gene can possibly be used as a biomarker for improving the meat quality traits in yaks in the future.

One hundred and twenty-eight boars and gilts of the Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire variety with an initial body weight (BW) of 52.49 ± 0.48 kg were used in a randomized complete block design for a 63-day experiment. The four treatment groups were: control diet (CON), CON + 0.2% soybean oligosaccharides (SBOS), CON + 0.4% SBOS, and CON + 0.8% SBOS. The results showed that the average daily weight gain (ADG) was significantly higher in the 0.8% SBOS group than in the CON group on days 0-63 ( p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, adding 0.8% SBOS to the diet significantly increased the carcass weight, dressing percentage, and carcass lean percentage, but decreased the average backfat depth of growing-finishing pigs ( p < 0.05). Adding different concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8%) of SBOS to the diet can significantly increase the concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate in feces ( p < 0.05). The activities of malic enzyme and fatty acid synthase in the 0.8% group were significantly lower than those in the 0.2% and CON groups ( p < 0.05). In summary, 0.8% SBOS supplementation to growing-finishing pigs' diets can reduce lipid deposition and increase ADG.

We assessed the effects of inhalation administration of lavender essential oil (LEO) either once (L1) or twice (L2) a day on animal welfare indicators, carcass and meat quality of Italian heavy pigs. Pigs ( n = 108) were allotted to three experimental groups (control -C-, L1 and L2) and lavender was administered, via a vaporizer device, to the treated groups during the entire fattening-finishing period (79-160 kg BW). Tail lesion severity was reduced in L1 at the end of the trial compared to the other groups ( p < 0.05). Body lesion counts, however, were higher in L2 than in C ( p < 0.05), resulting in a more severe overall damage classification ( p < 0.01). At slaughter, no differences were observed in carcass traits or blood stress indicators, only minor differences were observed in meat quality, and no LEO residual was found in fat or lean tissues, highlighting the preserved suitability of thighs for the dry curing process. While it was not possible to conclude on the ability to improve animal welfare of vaporized LEO in this production phase, the absence of adverse effects on meat quality and the discrepancies observed regarding the body lesions in L1 and L2 make further studies on behavioral aspects and the method of administration (route, frequency) of the product desirable.

In a 70-day study, 36 Jabbali and Sahrawi bucks, aged 11 months, were utilized to evaluate the effects of different levels of spirulina dietary supplement (SP) on carcass characteristics, fatty acid profile, and meat quality traits in Omani goat breeds. The goats were put into six groups of six bucks, each at random. The diet consisted of a conventional concentrate feed ration (CFR) without spirulina (CON), and the CFR diet supplemented with spirulina at the levels of 2 g/head daily (T1) and 4 g/head daily (T2). In general, Sahrawi bucks showed a highly significant response to SP feeding compared with Jabbali bucks. The treatment groups, especially T1, showed a significant increase in average daily gain and carcass traits (body length, leg length, and the rack weight) compared with the CON group of Sahrawi bucks. The weights of omental and kidney fat were also significantly higher in T1 compared with CON and T2 groups of Sahrawi goats, while they were significantly higher in T2 compared with CON and T1 groups of Jabbali goats. Carcass profile and meat quality, including ultimate ph and meat color lightness (L*) were increased significantly with dietary spirulina in both LD and SM muscles of Sahrawi goats. Most of the Sfa, Mufa, Pufa, Pufa n-6, Pufa n-3, and n-6/n-3 ratios of the LD showed significant differences in diets supplemented with SP compared with CON for Sahrawi bucks, while some of them were significant in Jabbali bucks. The LD muscle of Sahrawi goats fed diets supplemented with SP of the T1 group significantly decreased in the amounts of pentadecanoic and margaric acids compared with the T2 and CON groups. The study concluded that incorporating SP (2 g and 4 g/head daily) into the diet of Omani goats, especially Sahrawi goats, can increase growth performance, as well as improve fatty acid composition and meat quality.

This experiment aimed to study the effects of different proportions of Amaranthus hypochondriacus stem and leaf powder (AHSL) on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood biochemical parameters of broilers from day 1 to day 42. The experiment utilized a single-factor experimental design, with a total of 216 one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) randomly assigned to three dietary treatment groups (eight replicate cages of nine birds per cage). The dietary treatments included a control diet, a 3% AHSL diet and a 6% AHSL diet for days 0-21. Then, the 3% and 6% AHSL diets were changed to 5% and 10% AHSL for days 22-42. The results showed that the inclusion levels of AHSL did not affect growth performance, carcass traits, or meat quality on days 21 and 42 ( p > 0.05). However, the inclusion levels of AHSL decreased the apparent nutrient digestibility (AND) of dry matter (DM) ( p ˂ 0.001) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ( p ˂ 0.001) and increased the serum concentration of phosphorus ( p ˂ 0.001) on day 21. On day 42, the inclusion levels of AHSL decreased the AND of DM ( p = 0.025) and NDF content ( p ˂ 0.001), but increased the AND of crude protein (CP) ( p = 0.004). In particular, the diet containing 10% AHSL significantly increased the serum enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) ( p = 0.046) and the serum concentration of total protein (TP) ( p ˂ 0.001) on day 42. Overall, AHSL can be used as a new and effective feed ingredient in broiler diets. It can replace part of the corn-soybean meal diet without any adverse effects, which is beneficial for conserving feed resources. Additionally, AHSL can be included at a level of up to 10% during the broiler growth period.

This study aimed to identify genetic associations with carcass traits in Hanwoo cattle using a genome-wide association study. A total of 9302 phenotypes were analyzed, and all animals were genotyped using the Illumina Bovine 50K v.3 SNP chip. Heritabilities for carcass weight (CWT), eye muscle area (EMA), backfat thickness (BF), and marbling score (MS) were estimated as 0.42, 0.36, 0.36, and 0.47, respectively, using the GBLUP model, and 0.47, 0.37, 0.36, and 0.42, respectively, using the Bayes B model. We identified 129 common SNPs using DGEBV and 118 common SNPs using GEBV on BTA6, BTA13, and BTA14, suggesting their potential association with the traits of interest. No common SNPs were found between the GBLUP and Bayes B methods when using residuals as a response variable in GWAS. The most promising candidate genes for CWT included SLIT2 , PACRGL , KCNIP4 , RP1 , XKR4 , LYN , RPS20 , MOS , FAM110B , UBXN2B , CYP7A1 , SDCBP , NSMAF , TOX , CA8 , LAP3 , FAM184B , and NCAPG . For EMA, the genes IBSP , LAP3 , FAM184B , LCORL , NCAPG , SLC30A9 , and BEND4 demonstrated significance. Similarly, CYP7B1 , ARMC1 , PDE7A , and CRH were associated with BF, while CTSZ , GNAS , VAPB , and RAB22A were associated with MS. This finding offers valuable insights into genomic regions and molecular mechanisms influencing Hanwoo carcass traits, aiding efficient breeding strategies.

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing different doses of a multienzyme (KZP) consisting of carbohydrases and a protease on growth performance, duodenal pH and morphology, and carcass traits in broilers fed diets with increasing reductions in energy. One thousand two hundred one-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments with eight replicates of 30 birds each: a positive control diet formulated to meet Arbor Acres' nutritional requirements (PC); a negative control diet reformulated to 80 kcal/kg less than the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of the PC (NC1); a negative control diet reformulated to 120 kcal/kg less than the AME of the PC (NC2); an NC1 diet supplemented with 300 g/t of KZP (NC1 + KZP300); and an NC2 supplemented with 500 g/t of KZP (NC2 + KZP500). Growth performance was measured throughout the study. At 35 days, 10 birds per treatment were randomly selected and euthanized for a carcass trait evaluation, and samples of the duodenum were collected for morphological examination and pH level determination. The final average body weight and feed conversion ratio were better ( p < 0.05) for the broilers in the NC1 + KZP300 group compared to those in NC1, NC2 and NC2 + KZP500 groups and were similar to those of the PC birds ( p > 0.05). Birds from the NC1 + KZP500 group showed a better ( p < 0.05) final body weight and feed efficiency compared to the NC1 and NC2 groups. The villus height was greater ( p < 0.05) for the PC and NC1 + KZP300 groups compared to the rest of the treatments. The crypt depth was longer ( p < 0.05) for the NC1 and NC2 groups compared to the NC1 + KZP300 group. The supplementation of KZP to both the NC1 and NC2 diets reduced ( p < 0.05) the abdominal fat %. This study demonstrates that supplementing energy-reduced diets with KZP improved performance in broiler chickens.

The effect of high level of barley, triticale, or rye as base of complete mixtures for growing-finishing pigs on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and fatty acid profile in meat and backfat was investigated. The 100-day experiment involved 72 pigs, assigned into three groups (24 animals each). Pigs of each group were kept in six pens (two gilts and two barrows per pen). Diets offered to pigs differed in the proportion of cereals as the leading ingredients in the mixture formulation: I-barley, II-triticale, III-rye. The results showed diversified grain influence on the production results and meat quality. Triticale- and barley-based diets ensured better weight gain and lower carcass fatness than rye ( p ≤ 0.05). The basic nutrients digestibility of mixtures containing triticale was comparable to that containing barley and higher than that of rye ( p ≤ 0.05). The meat and backfat of pigs receiving diet with triticale or barley was characterized by more favorable fatty acids profile in respect to the health-promoting indicators (atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes; hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio). The cholesterol level in various tissues was the lowest in pigs fed with rye diet, and their meat characterized by better water holding capacity and more SFA. Higher fat saturation indicate better resistance to oxidation during storage and longer meat shelf life. It seems that the supplementation of triticale to diet may improve the growth efficiency of pigs and the health-promoting value of meat, while the supplementation of rye may be better for the production of traditional or long-matured meat products.

The Iberian pig breed includes several well-differentiated strains. The present study evaluated carcass traits, fat deposition and muscle expression of important lipogenic genes ( SCD , ME1 , ACACA , FASN , EGR1 , ACOX and ACLY) using 65 male pigs of 3 Iberian strains (20 Lampiño, 23 Torbiscal, and 22 Retinto) finished either in a conventional, concentrate-based system (CF) or in montanera (MF), a traditional free-range system with acorn feeding. Torbiscal had the highest ham, Longissimus thoracis and prime cuts yields, and the thinnest subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Retinto had the highest monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and percentage of intramuscular fat (IMF), while Lampiño had the greatest content of saturated fatty acids (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indexes in SAT. Conventionally finished pigs had the highest ham, L. thoracis and prime cuts yields, and SFA. Montanera -finished animals had the highest PUFA and MUFA contents, and the lowest AI, TI and n6/n3 ratio in SAT. In relation to gene expression, Retinto had the greatest SCD , FASN and ACLY levels. Most studied genes were overexpressed in CF pigs. In conclusion, MF pigs had healthier fat than CF pigs, and Retinto had the healthiest fat and the greatest lipogenic trend in muscle, supported by IMF and lipogenic gene expression.

The study aimed to determine the effect of L-carnitine and Bio-Mos administration on selected production performance, slaughter parameters, elemental and mineral content of liver, breast and thigh muscles, and physical, morphometric, strength and bone mineral composition parameters of turkeys. The experiment was conducted on 360 six-week-old Big-6 turkey females, randomly divided into three groups of 120 birds each (six replicates of 20 birds). The turkeys of the control group were fed standard feed without additives; group II was fed with drinking water, a preparation containing L-carnitine at a dose of 0.83 mL/L, while group III was provided mixed feed with 0.5% Bio-Mos. The addition of L-carnitine and Bio-Mos increased body weight at 16 weeks ( p = 0.047) and reduced the proportion of fat in the breast muscle ( p = 0.029) and liver ( p = 0.027). It also modified the content of some minerals in breast muscle, thigh muscle, liver, and bone. Furthermore, the addition of L-carnitine and Bio-Mos increased bone mass and length and modified the value of selected morphometric and strength parameters. The results indicate a positive effect of the applied feed additives on selected rearing indices and carcass quality while improving the elasticity and fracture toughness of the femur. There is a need for further research to determine optimal doses of L-carnitine and Bio-Mos in poultry nutrition.

Sixty male Awassi lambs were used to investigate the effects of dietary Yucca schidgera extract (YS) on the production, fecal and urinary odor emissions, and carcass traits of growing lambs fed complete pellets. Lambs were fed either a complete pelleted diet without yucca (control) or supplemented with 300 or 600 mg YS/kg dry matter (DM) during the 84-day experiment. The weights and feed consumption of the lambs were measured weekly. Blood samples were taken on days 1, 28, 58, and 84, and ruminal fluid samples were collected on day 70. On day 90, the odor emissions from feces and urine were measured. On day 84, 12 lambs were slaughtered for the evaluation of carcass and meat quality. The final values for bodyweight, bodyweight gain, and feed efficiency of lambs fed the YS 300 diet were 3.40%, 6.64%, and 6.17%, respectively, higher ( p < 0.05) than those fed the YS 600 diet. Additionally, the percentage of dressing, myofibril fragmentation index, and ruminal isovalerate percentage of lambs treated with YS 600 were higher than those treated with YS 300 . Compared with the control, the addition of yucca reduced odor emissions from feces and urine. In conclusion, dietary YS 300 had no additional benefits on growth rate, feed efficiency, and carcass traits, while dietary YS 600 improved fecal and urinary odors.

Developing nonantibiotic livestock growth promoters attracts intensive interest in the post-antibiotic era. In this study, we investigated the growth-promoting efficacy of Zhenqi granules (ZQ) in pigs and further explored the possible mechanisms by transcriptomics analysis. Weaned piglets (52 days old with an average body weight of 17.92 kg) were fed with diets supplemented with different doses of ZQ (0 g/kg, 1 g/kg, and 2 g/kg) for 30 days and continued observations for an additional 32 days after removing ZQ from the diets. Compared with the control group, the average daily gain, carcass weight, average back fat thickness, and fat meat percentage of the group supplemented with 1 g/kg of ZQ showed a significant increase, and the feed/gain ratio was lower. The group supplemented with 2 g/kg of ZQ also showed a significant increase in average daily gain and average backfat thickness. A transcriptomics analysis revealed that the supplementation of ZQ at 1 g/kg upregulated the expression of genes related to collagen biosynthesis and lipid biosynthesis in skeletal muscle and liver. This effect was primarily through upregulating the mRNA levels of structural proteins and lipid-related enzymes. This study demonstrates the growth-promoting efficacy of ZQ and provides some insights of the mechanism of growth promotion.

The present study evaluated the effect of digestible energy (DE) and crude protein (CP) levels on growth, digestive efficiency, slaughter yield and meat quality in growing rabbits of two genotypes (Grimaud, G vs. Hyla, H). A total of 384 crossbred rabbits (192 G and 192 H), half males and half females, were divided into eight experimental groups according to a bi-factorial arrangement (2 genotypes × 4 diets; 48 animals/group) and reared in individual cages. From 33 to 64 days of age, rabbits were fed four diets obtained by combining two DE levels (high, HE—10.9 MJ/kg vs. low, LE—9.2 MJ/kg, on average) and two CP levels (high, HP—159 g/kg vs. low, LP—144 g/kg, on average). Then, all rabbits received the same fattening diet (10.7 MJ DE/kg; 156 g CP/kg) until slaughtering (77 days of age). Growth performance did not differ between genotypes for the entire trial (on average final live weight 3010 g; daily weight gain 50.5 g/d), but H rabbits showed a faster growth during the post-weaning period (p ≤ 0.01) compared to G rabbits, while exhibiting lower slaughter yield and lower carcass fatness (p ≤ 0.01). As DE level increased, feed intake decreased and feed conversion improved (p < 0.001), while caecal volatile fatty acid concentration increased and caecal pH and N-ammonia decreased (p ≤ 0.01). The reduction in the CP level did not affect performance and carcass traits. No significant interaction was detected between genotype and diet. In conclusion, G rabbits may have an advantage over H rabbits because of the higher slaughter yield. As for the nutritional characteristics of diets for high-producing crossbred rabbits, high energy levels are confirmed to enhance feed efficiency, whereas dietary CP can be reduced to 144 g/kg without negative effects on performance and carcass traits.

Hempseed meal (HSM) is the byproduct of hemp seeds and is rich in crude protein and fiber, making it an ideal candidate as a feedstuff for ruminants. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of HSM on the carcass traits of crossbred Boer goats. Forty castrated goat kids (approximately six months, 25.63 ± 0.33 kg) were assigned to one of four treatments (n = 10) in a completely randomized design. Goats were fed pelleted diets (50% forage and 50% concentrate) with additional supplementation of HSM: control with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of the total diets. Goats were harvested and processed after a 60-day feeding trial. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the mean values of dressing percentages, carcass weights, body wall thickness, and ribeye area among treatments. Marbling scores and percentages of moisture, fats, proteins, and collagen in the muscles showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) among the treatments. Results suggest that including up to 30% of HSM in the diet of growing meat goats does not affect their carcass traits.

The present trial was designed to assess the effect of phytase, multi-strain probiotic, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and fumaric acid on performance, nutrient digestibility, bone physical parameters and mineralization, blood constituents, bone and gut histomorphology, and duodenal phosphorus transporter genes of broiler chickens fed a decreased non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) diet for 5 weeks. A total of 480 broiler chickens were allotted to six dietary groups and eight replicates each: (1) positive control diet with recommended levels of nPP (PC; 0.48, 0.44, and 0.41% in the three feeding phases); (2) negative control diet with a decreased dietary nPP (NC; 0.28, 0.24, and 0.21% in the three feeding phases); (3) NC + 600 FTU/kg phytase (PHY); (4) NC + 0.05% multi-strain probiotic (PRO); (5) NC + 0.2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC); and (6) NC + 0.2% fumaric acid. Growth performance data were recorded weekly, and blood sampling was performed at days 21 and 35 of age. Bone quality traits, gut and tibia histology, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal gene expression analyses were conducted at the end of the trial (35 days of age). Final body weight and total gain at day 35 of age of the broiler chickens fed with the PHY, PRO, and SC diets were greater (p < 0.01) than in NC, where broilers fed with the PRO and PHY diets had higher values and were similar to that of PC. There was a non-significant variation in the cumulative feed intake among the treatment groups. The PHY and PRO groups had better FCR than the PC group (p < 0.05), and FA and SC had an FCR equivalent to that of PC. The PHY and PRO broilers had greater dressing % than the NC group (p < 0.05) and even better than PC. The PHY, PRO, SC, and FA broilers had higher relative weights of spleen and bursa of Fabricius (p < 0.01) than NC. In comparison to NC, the PHY, PRO, and SC groups improved (p < 0.05) CP, CF, Ca, and P digestibility. Greater tibia breaking strength of the low nPP-supplemented groups was shown to be associated with higher tibia ash, Ca, and P concentrations (p < 0.01) and increased (p < 0.001) tibia cortical area thickness. At days 21 and 35 of age, the dietary supplements to low nPP diets reduced (p < 0.05) serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, glucose, and alkaline phosphatase levels, while serum Ca and P concentrations were improved (p < 0.05) compared to NC. All supplements led to enhancement (p < 0.01) in villi height and width and villi absorptive surface area when compared with NC and were even comparable to that of PC. The mRNA expression of NaP-IIb was up-regulated (p < 0.001) in the duodenum of PRO and FA broilers at day 35 of age compared with NC, and their expression levels were similar to that of PC, indicating greater P availability. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of PHY, PRO, SC, and FA to a low nPP diet was advantageous and mitigated the negative impacts of P reduction on the growth performance, health, nutrient digestibility, and bone quality of broilers.

As an important part of the circadian rhythm, the circadian regulation factor 2 of cryptochrome (CRY2), regulates many physiological functions. Previous studies have reported that CRY2 is involved in growth and development. However, the relationship between CRY2 gene polymorphism and cattle carcass traits remains unclear. The aim of this study was to detect the possible variations of the CRY2 gene and elucidate the association between the CRY2 gene and carcass traits in the Shandong Black Cattle Genetic Resource (SDBCGR) population (n = 705). We identified a 24-bp deletion variation (CRY2-P6) and a 6-bp insertion variation (CRY2-P7) in the bovine CRY2 gene. The frequency of the homozygous II genotype is higher than the heterozygous ID genotype in both two loci. In addition, CRY2-P6 was consistent with HWE (p > 0.05). Importantly, the CRY2-P6 variant was significantly associated with 12 carcass traits, including gross weight, ribeye, high rib, thick flank, etc. and the II was the dominant genotype. The CRY2-P7 site was also significantly correlated with five traits (gross weight, beef-tongue, etc.). Collectively, these outcomes indicated that the two Indel loci in the CRY2 gene could be used for marker-assisted selection of cattle carcass traits.

Experiment was designed to analyze the effect of low caloric diets, supplemented with β-mannanase on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and other parameters in broilers. In this study, 400 broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatments (Cont: without β-mannanase; LM-30, MM-60, and HM-90: supplemented with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg β-mannanase, respectively). Dietary metabolizable energy (ME) in Cont was standard (starter diet 3100 kcal/kg; finisher diet 3200 kcal/kg) and reduced by 30, 60, and 90 kcal/kg, correspondingly in β-mannanase-supplemented treatments. The results exhibited that growth performance was not affected by reducing dietary energy levels with supplementation of β-mannanase. Ileal digestibility of DM and CF was improved (p < 0.01) by supplementation of β-mannanase at low dietary ME levels. Concerning carcass traits, the relative weight of breast meat, drumstick, and abdominal fat increased (p < 0.05) with β-mannanase supplementation in low-ME diets. Treatment HM-90 showed significantly (p < 0.05) better results regarding villus height and VH:CD. It could be concluded from the present results that supplementation of β-mannanase could improve the nutrient digestibility so that it is possible to reduce the dietary energy level without compromising production performance, carcass trails, and meat quality in broilers.

Cull dairy cows are important contributors to total beef production in the USA and in Europe. Hempseed cake is a by-product of oil production and it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (FA). This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding hempseed cake to the diet of Italian Simmental (IS) cull dairy cows on performances and meat quality. Twenty-six cull dairy cows were divided into three dietary groups: hay-based, corn silage-based and pasture-based diets. Within each group, the animals were equally divided into two treatments according to the protein source of the concentrate: hempseed cake (HEMP) or soybeans meal (SB). The trial lasted four months. HEMP showed similar in vivo performance and carcass characteristics, such as average daily gain (p > 0.05) and dressing percentage (p > 0.05), compared with SB. Meat characteristics, such as ether extract content and Warner−Bratzler shear force, were also similar between experimental groups (p > 0.05). Considering FA composition, HEMP showed similar saturated FA and polyunsaturated FA content (p > 0.05) but lower desirable fatty acids (p < 0.05) content and a tendentially lower hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (p < 0.10) than SFA. Hempseed cake can substitute soybean in the diet of cull dairy cows without effects on performance or meat quality.

Gene single nucleotide polymorphisms can be used as auxiliary markers in molecular breeding and are an effective method to improve production performance. G0S2 is a key gene involved in regulating fat metabolism, but little research has been conducted on this gene regarding its role in poultry. In this study, the specialized commercial partridge chicken strain G0S2 gene was cloned and sequenced, and the relationship between the SNP sites on G0S2 and the carcass traits of chickens was investigated. The results showed that a total of seven SNPs were detected on G0S2 (g.102G > A, g.255G > A, g.349C > T, g.384A > G, g.386G > A, g.444G > A, g.556G > A). Two sites are located in the coding region and five sites are located in the 3′-UTR. SNPs located in the coding region are synonymous mutations. g.444G > A has a significant correlation with abdominal fat weight. The chickens with AG and GG genotypes have the highest abdominal fat weight, while the AA genotype is lower. The g.102G > A genotype has a significant correlation with live and abdominal fat weight. The live weight and abdominal fat weight of the chickens with AA and AG genotypes are at a higher level and have a larger gap than the GG genotype. Chickens with the AA genotype in g.556G > A had the lowest fat weight. The results of present study can provide practical information for molecular marker-assisted breeding of chicken carcass traits.

A total of 150 broiler chicks were used to determine the impact of dietary cinnamon bark powder (CBP; Cinnamomum verum ) on breast meat quality, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of birds under coccidiosis, as one of the protozoan parasitic diseases. A total of 5 replicates of birds received 1 of the following 6 groups for 34 days: control groups (1 and 2) received a basal diet without the addition of CBP or salinomycin; group 3 received a basal diet with 0.066 g salinomycin; groups 4-6 were given a basal diet supplemented with 2, 4, and 6 g CBP/kg feed, respectively. On day 21, 4 × 10 4 /100 µL of Eimeria tenella oocysts/bird were challenged, except for the negative control (NC). At the end of the experimental trial, five birds/group were sampled for carcass characteristics and breast attributes. Overall, emeriosis negatively affects slaughter body mass, carcass yield, and the majority of carcass characteristics in birds, and cinnamon can mitigate these effects. Cinnamon groups, particularly at the 2 g level, alleviated the negative effect on performance caused by coccidia infestation to the same or greater extent as the negative control and salinomycin treatment groups. Furthermore, when compared with the other experimental groups, the addition of cinnamon improved some physicochemical properties with some affecting meat quality, such as decreasing MFI and increasing toughness in cinnamon-treated groups. In summary, it can be concluded that CBP can enhance the shelf life, carcass, and quality of birds' meat by maximizing the productive performance efficiency and breast meat productivity of birds under coccidiosis infestation. Further research is required to investigate the use of cinnamon to optimize the quality of meat and the productivity of both healthy and diseased broilers.

This trial was performed to determine the effect of rice bran oil (RBO) inclusion in diets of broiler chickens on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, meat quality, antioxidant activity, liver lipid content, and liver histological structure. The 35-day feeding trial was conducted on 240 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens, allocated to four treatment groups with six replicates each. RBO was examined at different inclusion levels, 0% (control), 1% (RBO 1% ), 1.5% (RBO 1.5% ), and 2% (RBO 2% ) in a completely randomized design. The results showed that at the end of the trial (35 days) the RBO supplementation had positive effects ( p < 0.001) on the productivity parameters, but the feed intake was linearly decreased due to RBO inclusion. In addition, RBO supplementation linearly improved ( p < 0.05) the dressing percentage, breast yield, immune organs relative weights, and meat glutathione concentration, while it decreased ( p < 0.01) the abdominal fat yield and meat crude fat, triglycerides, cholesterol, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in broiler's meat. Moreover, serum total protein, globulin, and high-density lipoprotein contents improved noticeably ( p < 0.01) due to offering an RBO-supplemented diet, but serum total lipids, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations linearly reduced ( p < 0.01). The RBO supplementation augmented ( p < 0.05) the phagocytic index, phagocytic activity, and antibody titer compared to control. On the other hand, RBO inclusion had no effect on the breast, thigh, or abdominal fat color parameters. Moreover, RBO supplementation reduced ( p < 0.01) the content of total saturated FA (SFA), but increased ( p < 0.01) the content of total monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and polyunsaturated FA in both breast and thigh meat. Chemical analysis of the liver tissue samples revealed that the inclusion of RBO linearly reduced ( p < 0.05) hepatic cholesterol, triglyceride, and MDA contents. Histologically, the lipid percentage and number of lipid droplets ( p < 0.01) were markedly lessened in the RBO-supplemented groups. The histological structure of the liver asses by light and electron microscope were normal in all groups without any pathological lesions. It is concluded that RBO could be used as a valuable ingredient in broiler chickens' diets to stimulate the growing performance and immune status, enhance the antioxidant activity and blood lipid profile, augment liver function, and improve the nutritive value of the meat.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tea powder in diets on the growth performance, meat quality, muscular amino acid, fatty acid profile, and serum biochemical indices of pigs. A total of 120 local Chinese pigs (Tibetan × Bama miniature pigs) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, each with six pens and four pigs per pen. During a 60-day experiment, these groups of pigs were fed the normal diet and the diet supplemented with 1%, 2%, 4%, and 6% tea powder, respectively. The results showed that the supplementation of tea powder did not affect the growth performance of pigs. However, the dietary tea powder inclusion decreased ( p < 0.05) the average fat thickness, total fat, and abdominal fat, and increased ( p < 0.05) the total muscle as well. In addition, the dietary 2% tea powder decreased ( p < 0.05) the muscle lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*). Compared with the control group, the dietary supplementation with 1%, 2%, and 4% tea powder raised ( p < 0.05) the total amino acids (TAA) and essential amino acids (EAA), and dietary 4% and 6% tea powder increased ( p < 0.05) the C20:5n3 in the muscle tissue. Furthermore, the serum lipid metabolism-related biochemical indices and mRNA expression levels were improved with the addition of tea powder. These results indicated that dietary tea powder might improve the carcass traits and meat quality of the Chinese native finishing pigs, but it does not affect their growth performance. Tea powder could be fully developed and reasonably applied as a dietary supplement.

This study was carried out to estimate the variance components, heritability, and genetic correlations between the carcass traits and primal cut yields in Hanwoo cattle. Carcass traits comprising 5622 records included back fat thickness (BFT), carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), and marbling score (MS). The 10 primal cut yields from 3467 Hanwoo steers included the tenderloin (TLN), sirloin (SLN), striploin (STLN), chuck (CHK), brisket (BSK), top round (TRD), bottom round (BRD), rib (RB), shank (SK), and flank (FK). In addition, three composite traits were formed by combining primal cut yields as novel traits according to consumer preferences and market price: high-value cuts (HVC), medium-value cuts (MVC), and low-value cuts (LVC). Heritability estimates for the interest of traits were moderate to high, ranging from 0.21 ± 0.04 for CHK to 0.59 ± 0.05 for MS. Except genetic correlations between RB and other primal cut traits, favorable and moderate to high correlations were observed among the yields of primal cut that ranged from 0.38 ± 0.14 (CHK and FK) to 0.93 ± 0.01 (TRD and BRD). Moreover, the estimated genetic correlations of CW and EMA with primal cut yields and three composite traits were positive and moderate to strong, except for BFT, which was negative. These results indicate that genetic progress can be achieved for all traits, and selection to increase the yields of primal cuts can lead to considerable profitability in the Hanwoo beef industry.

It is widely known that the environment influences phenotypic expression and that its effects must be accounted for in genetic evaluation programs. The most used method to account for environmental effects is to add herd and contemporary group to the model. Although generally informative, the herd effect treats different farms as independent units. However, if two farms are located physically close to each other, they potentially share correlated environmental factors. We introduce a method to model herd effects that uses the physical distances between farms based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates as a proxy for the correlation matrix of these effects that aims to account for similarities and differences between farms due to environmental factors. A population of Hanwoo Korean cattle was used to evaluate the impact of modelling herd effects as correlated, in comparison to assuming the farms as completely independent units, on the variance components and genomic prediction. The main result was an increase in the reliabilities of the predicted genomic breeding values compared to reliabilities obtained with traditional models (across four traits evaluated, reliabilities of prediction presented increases that ranged from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 0.33 ± 0.03), suggesting that these models may overestimate heritabilities. Although little to no significant gain was obtained in phenotypic prediction, the increased reliability of the predicted genomic breeding values is of practical relevance for genetic evaluation programs.

The use of inexpensive nonconventional feed materials, such as rapeseed meal (RSM), could help alleviate the shortage of feed materials in the poultry industry. This study was to investigate the effects of dietary double-low RSM on growth performance, carcass traits, serum parameters, and intestinal development of geese. A total of 270 healthy 35-day-old male Jiangnan White geese were randomly divided into five treatments, with six replicate pens of nine geese each. The geese were fed five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% RSM replacing dietary soybean meal for 35 days. At 35, 49, and 70 d, the BW and feed intake were recorded. All Samples were collected at 70 d of age. The results showed that dietary RSM up to 16% did not affect the BW, ADFI, ADG, and feed/gain ratio (F/G) during 35 to 49 d, 49 to 70 d, and 35 to 70 d periods ( p > 0.05). At 70 d, no difference was observed in carcass yield or serum biochemical parameters among groups ( p > 0.05). Dietary 12% and 16% RSM significantly increased the concentration of serum GH compared with 0%, 4%, 8% groups ( p < 0.01), but serum TSH, T3 and T4 were unaffected ( p > 0.05). The relative weights of heart, liver, spleen, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine were similar among groups ( p > 0.05). However, the geese fed dietary 16% RSM had greater bursa of Fabricius than geese in the 8% group ( p < 0.05). Intestinal morphology was unaffected by treatments ( p > 0.05). According to the findings, dietary RSM up to 16% can be used in geese diets without impact on production performance.

Genetic parameters have a significant role in designing a breeding program and are required to evaluate economically important traits. The objective of this study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlation between yearling ultrasound measurements, such as backfat thickness (UBFT), eye muscle area (UEMA), intramuscular fat content (UIMF), and carcass traits, such as backfat thickness (BFT), carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), marbling score (MS) at approximately 24 months of age, as well as yearling weight (YW) in Hanwoo bulls (15,796) and steers (5682). The (co) variance components were estimated using a multi-trait animal model. Moderate to high heritability estimates were obtained and were 0.42, 0.50, 0.56, and 0.59 for CW, EMA, BFT, and MS, respectively. Heritability estimates for yearling measurements of YW, UEMA, UBFT, and UIMF were 0.31, 0.32, 0.30, and 0.19, respectively. Favorable and strong genetic correlations were observed between UIMF and MS (0.78), UBFT and BFT (0.63), and UEMA and EMA (0.65). Moreover, the estimated genetic correlation between YW and CW was high (0.84) and relatively moderate between YW and EMA (0.43). These results suggest that genetic improvement can be achieved for carcass traits when using yearling ultrasound measurements as selection criteria in ongoing Hanwoo breeding programs.

Grazing Swan geese ( Anser cygnoides ) have good meat quality but grow slowly. This study aimed to study whether supplemental feeding could improve growth performance of grazing Swan geese and investigate a suitable dietary metabolizable energy (ME) level of supplemental diet for grazing Swan geese. Naturalized healthy male Swan geese ( n = 144; 42 ± 2.0 days and 1.21 ± 0.17 kg) were randomly allocated into 4 groups and grazed on pasture alone (control, CON) or offered supplemental diets with ME of 9.5, 11.5, or 13.5 MJ/kg of DM after grazing. Growth performance and body-size measurements (including bone development) were lower ( p < 0.05) in CON versus supplemented geese, as well as slaughter measurements on days 28 and 56. The DM intake linearly decreased ( p < 0.01) with increasing dietary ME from day 29 to 56. Slaughter, semi-eviscerated, eviscerated, and thigh muscle yield linearly ( p < 0.01) decreased with increasing dietary ME on day 56. Lightness ( L* ) and yellowness ( b* ) for breast and thigh muscle on days 28 and 56, and breast muscle shear force on day 56, were lower ( p < 0.01) in supplemented versus CON geese. In conclusion, supplemental feeding improved growth performance and carcass characteristics of grazing Swan geese, and supplemental feed with ME of 9.5 MJ/kg of DM could be offered to improve growth and meat quality of grazing Swan geese.

The effects that maternal dietary methionine have on progeny have been reported on broilers. However, the paternal effects are not known, so the current study was conducted to explore the influences of paternal dietary methionine (Met) have on progeny carcass traits, meat quality, and related gene expressions. A total of 192 hens and 24 roosters from Ross parent stock at 36 weeks of age were selected. From week 37 to 46, the roosters were allocated to two groups with three replicates of 4 cocks each, (control, 0.28% Met), and methionine group (MET group, 0.28% Met + 0.1% coated Met). The results revealed that, although the heavier live body weight in progeny at day 49 of control group compared to MET group ( p < 0.05), the relative eviscerated yield and relative thigh muscle yield were higher in MET group ( p < 0.05); but the relative abdominal fat was lower ( p < 0.05). In thigh and breast muscles, a positive response of pH 24 h value, shear force (g) and drip loss (%) were observed in MET group ( p < 0.05). The lightness (L) and redness (a) were increased ( p < 0.05) in breast muscles of MET group, while only the redness (a* 24 h ) and yellowness (b* 24 h ) were increased ( p < 0.05) in thigh muscles of MET group. The gender has a significant ( p < 0.05) effect on carcass traits and muscle redness (a*), where these traits improved in males, and no interaction between treatments and gender were observed for these results. The expression levels of PRKAG2 and PRDX4 supported the changes in muscle pH, with these up-regulated in thigh and breast muscles of MET group, the PPP1R3A gene supported the changes in pH value being down-regulated ( p < 0.01) in these same muscles. The BCO1 gene expression was consistent with the changes in meat color and was up-regulated ( p < 0.01) in thigh muscles of MET group, consistent with the changes in b* color values. Finally, it was concluded that the supplementation of 0.1% Met to rooster diets could improve carcass characteristics and meat quality of progeny.

Soybean meal (SBM) is high in antinutritional factors (ANFs), which is not conducive to the starter growth of broilers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of soy protein concentrate (SPC) in starter diet on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, immune organ indices and blood biochemical indices of broilers. A total of 384 1-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) male broilers (46.05 ± 0.37 g) with similar body weight were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates in each group and 12 broilers in each replicate. The experiment was divided into three phases: in starter phase (1-10 d), birds were fed a corn-SBM-based basal mash diet (control) and the basal diet was supplemented with SPC at 4% (SPC4), 8% (SPC8), 12% (SPC12). In the grower phase (11-21 d) and the finisher phase (22-42 d), the birds in all four treatment groups were fed the same diets. The results showed that the body weight was significantly increased in the SPC8 and SPC12 groups of broilers at 10 d and 42 d ( p < 0.05). The average daily gain was significantly increased in the SPC12 group of broilers at 1-10 d and 1-42 d ( p < 0.05). The average daily feed intake was significantly increased in the SPC8 and SPC12 groups of broilers at 1-10 d ( p < 0.05). The feed conversion rates at 1-42 d ( p = 0.055) tended to decline in the SPC12 group. The carcass yield and the thymus indices were significantly increased in the SPC12 group of broilers at 42 d ( p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/ aspartate aminotransferase (AST) tended to decline in SPC12 group at 10 d ( p = 0.055) and total protein (TP) tended to increase in the SPC12 group at 42 d ( p = 0.080). The contents of total cholesterol (T-CHO) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were significantly elevated in the SPC12 group of broilers at 42 d ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 12% SPC as a starter diet can be recommended due to the positive effects on broilers.

The aim of the research was to investigate the influence of terminal sire line (TSL) and male category (MC) on carcass and meat quality of commercial fatteners. The study was performed on 180 pigs originating from three terminal sire lines: A (Pietrain × Large White), B (pure Pietrain), and C (Pietrain × Duroc × Large White), being assigned to three groups according to MC: immunocastrates (IC, n = 60), surgical castrates (SC, n = 60) and entire males (EM, n = 60). TSL affected most of the carcass and meat quality traits, together with the androstenone concentration. At the same time, MC had a significant effect on fat thickness, ham circumference, drip loss, cooking loss and androstenone and skatole concentrations. A significant interaction effect was observed for carcass length and ham circumference, as well as for most of the measured meat quality traits (except cooking loss, CIE L*, CIE b*, and Warner Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF)). Among the three investigated sire lines, immunocastration was shown to be most beneficial for fatteners sired by the TSL C. However, if deciding to raise EM, fatteners from the TSL B are recommended in terms of carcass and meat quality, although strategies for avoiding boar taint in their carcasses must be taken into consideration.

The beef aging process is essential for compliance with certain major requisites, such as sensory characteristics for cooking and meat processing. Meat quality analysis of Yunling cattle, a new hybrid beef cattle bred by Chinese researchers, during the aging process, represents a major research gap. To explore Yunling beef initially, indicators associated with meat quality during the aging process of Yunling, Simmental, and Wenshan cattle were measured. In addition, some important economic traits were detected in the three breeds, including growth performance and carcass characteristics. The results showed that the growth performance, carcass traits, pH, and water holding capacity of Yunling and Simmental cattle were basically the same and better, respectively, than those of Wenshan cattle. The proportions of individual fatty acids in Yunling beef were healthier than in the other two breeds. Aging time did not affect the fatty acid profiles of the beef ( p > 0.05). The contents of certain fatty acids in the three beef types displayed some differences in terms of days of aging ( p < 0.05). The tenderness and meat color were better in the Yunling beef as the aging time increased, indicating that Yunling beef aged for 7 days was more suitable for cooking, exhibiting better sensory characteristics. Thus, a 7-day short-term aging process is very effective in improving the quality of Yunling beef. Our study attempted to fill a gap in the Yunling beef quality analysis during aging, providing further evidence for Yunling beef improvement.

As the byproduct of finger millet, millet straw is a new forage resource of ruminants. The effect of the combined utilization of millet straw with corn straw on fattening lamb production is seldom reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different proportions of millet straw instead of corn straw on the growth performance, blood metabolites, immune response, meat yield, and quality of fattening lamb. Sixty-three-month-old healthy Small-Tailed Han sheep crossbred rams with an average initial weight of 19.28 ± 2.95 kg were randomly divided into four groups, with three replicates in each group and five lambs in each replicate. The replacement ratio of millet straw of each group (Group I, II, III, IV) was 0%, 25%, 35%, 50% at the first stage (the first two months) and 0%, 20%, 28%, 40% in the second period (final two months), respectively. The experiment lasted 4 months 10 days of the pre-feeding period. The results indicated that the body weight gain and average daily gain of group Ⅱ were significantly higher than those of group Ⅰ and group Ⅳ ( p < 0.05). The concentration of total protein in group Ⅳ was significantly increased compared to those of the other three groups at the second stage ( p < 0.05), which proved that the protein synthesis metabolism capacity was improved with the addition of millet straw. The concentration of the plasma glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase of lambs was significantly decreased in group Ⅱ ( p < 0.05). The combination of millet straw and corn straw had no impact on the glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides metabolism ( p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the pre-slaughter weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin-eye area, and GR value among the four groups ( p > 0.05). Furthermore, the immune response and meat quality were not impacted by the different proportions of millet and corn forage diets. The results showed that the combined utilization of millet straw with corn straw could improve the blood biochemistry metabolism capability of fattening lambs. The replacement of 50% of corn straw with millet straw could improve the growth performance and be an application in fattening lamb production.

The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the body measurements (BMs) and carcass characteristics of hair sheep lambs. Twenty hours before slaughter, the shrunk body weight (SBW) and BMs were recorded. The BMs involved were height at withers (HW), rib depth (RD), body diagonal length (BDL), body length (BL), pelvic girdle length (PGL), rump depth (RuD), rump height (RH), pin-bone width (PBW), hook-bone width (HBW), abdomen width (AW), girth (GC), and abdomen circumference (AC). After slaughter, the carcasses were weighed and chilled for 24 h at 1 °C, and then were split by the dorsal midline. The left-half was dissected into total soft tissues (muscle + fat; TST) and bone (BON), which were weighed separately. The weights of viscera and organs (VIS), internal fat (IF), and offals (OFF-skin, head, feet, tail, and blood) were also recorded. The equations obtained for predicting SBW, HCW, and CCW had an r 2 ranging from 0.89 to 0.99, and those for predicting the TST and BON had an r 2 ranging from 0.74 to 0.91, demonstrating satisfactory accuracy. Our results indicated that use of BMs could accurately and precisely be used as a useful tool for predicting carcass characteristics of hair sheep lambs., Competing Interests: Funding: This research was funded bythe Programa de Fomento a la Investigación through the project ‘Eficiencia energética madre/cría en ovinos de pelo’ (PFI: UJAT-DACA-2015-IA-02).

Dietary partially destoned olive cake supplementation on performance, carcass traits and meat quality of intensively finished bulls was evaluated. Forty-five Limousin bulls, divided into three homogenous groups, received a diet with no supplementation (Control-CTR), 7.5% (Low Olive Cake-LOC), and 15.0% of olive cake supplementation (High Olive Cake-HOC). The trial was realized for 150 days; all bulls were individually weighed at the beginning, middle, and end of the trial, to calculate the individual average daily gain (ADG). At slaughtering, on each carcass, hot weight was recorded and, after 7 days, the pH and temperature were measured. On Longissimus lumborum muscle, color, cooking loss, and shear force of the cooked sample were determined. The chemical composition and the fatty acid content of muscle were determined. Olive cake inclusions (7.5% and 15.0%) increased ( p < 0.05) the body weight, ADG, slaughter traits and intramuscular fat content and influenced ( p < 0.05) the quality indices. The 15.0% of the inclusion reduced ( p < 0.05) the cooking loss and shear force, and increased the unsaturated fatty acid content. The olive cake can be considered as a functional component in beef production and, in substitution to a quote of cereals into the diet of bulls, could be an opportunity to improve agriculture sustainability.

Dietary protein is a critical nutrient that directly influences the health and production of livestock. Recent studies showed that protein supplements could enhance the growth performance of Tibetan sheep. However, there is a lack of information regarding the influence of dietary protein levels on carcass traits and meat composition. This study investigated the effects of dietary protein levels on growth performance, carcass traits, serum metabolites, and meat composition in Tibetan sheep during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A total of eighteen 1-year-old, healthy, castrated Tibetan sheep with similar initial body weights (31.7 ± 0.72 kg) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with different dietary protein level (low protein (LP, 10.1%); medium protein (MP, 12.1%); high protein (HP, 14.1%)) diets. The results indicated that the Tibetan sheep fed with the MP and HP diets had greater final body weights (BWs), average daily gains (ADGs), and average daily feed intakes (ADFIs) ( p < 0.05). The MP and HP diets also improved the hot carcass weight, net meat (including the fat) weight, and bone weight of the sheep significantly ( p < 0.05). Besides, the dietary protein levels could significantly affect the serum concentrations of growth hormone ( p < 0.05). The diameter of muscle fibers in the MP group was significantly greater than that in the LP group ( p < 0.05), while the density of muscle fibers showed the opposite trend. The dietary protein levels only significantly ( p < 0.05) influenced the ether extract content and profile content of the longissimus dorsi muscle but had no effect on other parameters of meat composition. In summary, our results indicate that dietary protein levels affect growth performance, carcass traits, and meat composition and that diets containing 12.1% and 14.1% protein are recommended to obtain better production performance and meat products in Tibetan sheep, rather than a diet containing 10.1% protein, during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

The faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) is a native protein crop and considered a promising alternative to soybeans. Due to its anti-nutritive substances such as vicin and convicin (VC) its use in animal nutrition has been restricted. In the present study, two consecutive experiments were conducted to analyse the effects of feeding 20% faba beans, which differ in their VC content on fattening performance and slaughter traits of different chicken genotypes. In a first trial, purebred male chickens of the local breeds Bresse Gauloise and Vorwerkhuhn as well as of a high-performance White Rock line were tested. In a second trial, crossbreds of them were evaluated: Vorwerkhuhn x Bresse Gauloise, Vorwerkhuhn x White Rock, Bresse Gauloise x White Rock. Daily weight gain and feed intake were recorded until slaughter at approximately 2100 g. At slaughter the final live weight, carcass yield and the weights of the valuable parts (breasts and legs) were measured. For the genotypes studied, no adverse or undesirable effects of both VC-rich and VC-poor faba beans in the feedstuff were detected regarding body weight development, carcass quality, and fattening parameters. Furthermore, there was no indication that the birds' health was impaired.

This study looks at the influence of time and/or frequency of multienzymes application on productivity, carcass characteristics, metabolic profile, and red blood cell characteristics of broiler chickens. Two hundred and eighty, one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler male chicks were randomly distributed into seven treatment groups. Each group consisted of eight replicates of five unsexed birds. The same basal diet was fed in a crumble form to all experimental groups: group one was the unsupplemented control that did not receive multienzymes supplementation. Additionally, multienzymes in water were supplemented in six groups in a factorial arrangement, including three times of application (starter time only which included days 1-21 of age, grower time only which included days 22-37 of age, and starter and grower time which included days 1-37 of age) and two application frequencies (continuously or intermittently). In the continuous application, the multienzymes were added to water over 24 h in a day, while in the intermittent frequency multienzymes were added to water for one day followed by a day off according to the time of application. Regardless of time and frequency of application, enzymes supplementation significantly increased growth rate, feed intake, European Production Index (EPI), protein digestibility, serum albumin, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Intermittent multienzymes application during days 1-21 of age or days 22-37 of age resulted in significantly greater growth, better feed conversion rate (FCR), and higher EPI of broilers during the whole rearing period than those under continuous multienzymes during different growth periods. Besides, intermittent multienzymes addition during days 1-37 of age improved FCR of broiler chicks compared to constant application. The intermittent addition of multienzymes during days 1-21 of age or 22-37 days of age and days 1-37 of age caused a significant increase in dry matter (DM) digestibility than the continuous application. The intermittent addition of multienzymes during days 1-21 of age significantly increased the digestibility of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and crude fiber (CF) compared to continuous application. A similar trend was shown in the digestibility of CP and EE due to intermittent use during days 22-37 of age. Intermittent enzymes addition significantly increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) of groups receiving enzymes during days 22-37 of age compared to continuous application of enzymes. In conclusion, the use of multienzymes intermittently during days 1-21 of age and 22-37 days of age significantly increased growth, improved FCR, and raised EPI. Intermittent use can replace continuous multienzyme applications which can save 68.6% of the cost, even though further research is need from the cost-saving edge.

The study was carried out to evaluate the influence of polysaccharides from Camellia oleifera cake (CCP) in Lingnan yellow broilers diet from 1 to 50 days. Growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, blood profile, and caecum microorganisms were characterized by three different levels of 0, 200 and 800 mg/kg CCP supplementation. Dietary treatment did not affect the productive trait from 1 to 50 days of age, except that average daily feed intake decreased at 42 days of age ( p < 0.05). Additionally, the effects of CCP on various organs were different. The weight ( p < 0.01) and index ( p < 0.05) of bursa of Fabricius gradually decreased with the higher CCP supplementation at 21 days of the broilers diet. The gizzard weights were all higher when the broilers were fed with higher CCP concentration at 21, 42, and 50 days, respectively ( p < 0.05). The weight and index of the spleen increased most with low CCP concentration (200 mg/kg) at 42 and 50 days. Moreover, CCP addition had no significant effect on meat quality except cooking loss ( P < 0.05) and yellowness of meat color ( p < 0.05). In the study of blood metabolism at 50 days of broilers, the concentration of calcium ( p < 0.01), total cholesterol ( p < 0.05) and uric acid ( p < 0.01) decreased with higher CCP supplementation. CCP increased the albumin concentration ( p < 0.001) that was highest at 200 mg/kg CCP supplementation. The addition of CCP increased the number of Lactobacillus and Enterococcus faecalis ( p < 0.01) in the caecum of broilers, and had the potential to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli ( p = 0.11). Results showed that CCP played a role in improving intestinal flora and the immunity of yellow broilers., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Hanwoo breed is preferred in South Korea because of the high standards in marbling and the palatability of its meat. Numerous studies have been conducted and are ongoing to increase the meat production and quality in this beef population. The aim of this study was to estimate and compare genetic parameters for carcass traits using BLUPF90 software. Four models were constructed, single trait pedigree model (STPM), single-trait genomic model (STGM), multi-trait pedigree model (MTPM), and multi-trait genomic model (MTGM), using the pedigree, phenotype, and genomic information of 7991 Hanwoo cattle. Four carcass traits were evaluated: Back fat thickness (BFT), carcass weight (CWT), eye muscle area (EMA), and marbling score (MS). Heritability estimates of 0.40 and 0.41 for BFT, 0.33 and 0.34 for CWT, 0.36 and 0.37 for EMA, and 0.35 and 0.38 for MS were obtained for the single-trait pedigree model and the multi-trait pedigree model, respectively, in Hanwoo. Further, the genomic model showed more improved results compared to the pedigree model, with heritability of 0.39 (CWT), 0.39 (EMA), and 0.46 (MS), except for 0.39 (BFT), which may be due to random events. Utilization of genomic information in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has allowed more capturing of the variance from the traits improving the variance components.

This study considers the impact of dried distillers' grain with solubles (DDGS) in diets of lambs. Randomly; 27 lambs were distributed to one of three diets. Diets were: a control diet (CON; n = 9), a 125 (DDGS125; n = 9) or a 250 g/kg DDGS (DDGS250; n = 9) of dietary dry matter (DM). The lambs were fed using these diets for 91 days. To assess carcass traits; five lambs were randomly selected at the end of the study. No significant differences were detected in intake and digestibility of DM; crude protein and fiber. Average daily gain did not differ among diets. Carcass characteristics did not differ among diets. With the exception of shear force and redness, which were greater in DDGS250 than in DDGS125 and CON diets, meat quality parameters were unaffected. Eye muscle area decreased in DDGS125 than in DDGS250 and CON diet. These results demonstrate that the feeding of lambs on DDGS at 125 or 250 g/kg DM did not have any impact on growth. These diets only had a simple effect on the characteristics of carcass and meat quality. These results suggest that it would be suitable to introduce these feeds into sheep nutrition in the future.

Inulin is one of the commercially feasible dietary fibers that has been implicated in regulating the gut health and metabolism of animals. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary inulin supplementation on growth performance and meat quality in growing-finishing pigs. Thirty-six Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire White growing barrows (22.0 ± 1.0 kg) were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments consisting of a basal control diet (CON) or basal diet supplemented with 0.5% inulin (INU). Results showed that inulin supplementation tended to increase the average daily gain (ADG) at the fattening stage (0.05 < p < 0.10). Inulin significantly increased the dressing percentage ( p < 0.05) and tended to increase the loin-eye area. The serum concentrations of insulin and IGF-I were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in the INU group than in the CON group. Moreover, inulin supplementation significantly elevated the expression level of myosin heavy chain II b ( MyHC IIb ) in the longissimus dorsi ( p < 0.05). Inulin significantly upregulated the expression of mammalian rapamycin target protein ( mTOR ) but decreased ( p < 0.05) the expression level of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase MuRF-1 . These results show the beneficial effect of inulin supplementation on the growth performance and carcass traits in growing-finishing pigs, and will also facilitate the application of inulin in swine production.

This study aimed to determine effects of weaning ages on growth, rumen development, and carcass characteristics and meat quality of Hu lambs. Thirty male Hu lambs were randomly divided into two weaning age groups: Weaned at 30 (W30) or 45 (W45) d of age. Blood samples were collected on the day of weaning before lambs ( n = 5) were slaughtered, and then rumen sample was collected immediately after they were slaughtered. The intake of all feeds increased with age ( p < 0.05), but were not affected by weaning age ( p > 0.05). Oxidative stress indicators and immune variables, the plasma biochemical parameters did not differ between the two different weaning ages ( p > 0.05). The two weaning age groups also had similar ( p > 0.05) concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acid. The two weaning age groups did not differ in body weight, carcass characteristics, or meat quality ( p > 0.05) at d 120. These results indicate that weaning half a month earlier than the typical weaning age does not significantly affect the growth, ruminal development, or carcass characteristics of Hu lambs, and they can be weaned at 30 d of age to improve production efficiency.