Search

Histological properties from the longissimus (LD) and semimembranosus (SM) muscles of 51 wether and ewe lambs from Hampshire rams and two ewe genetic types (SR, 1/2 Suffolk and 1/2 Rambouillet, and FS, 1/2 Finnish Landrace and 1/2 Southdown) and three slaughter live weights (32, 41 and 50 kg) were compared. Fibers in both muscles were classified as beta R (red), alpha R (intermediate) or alpha W (white). All LD muscle fiber types from FS ewe lambs increased in diameter from 32 to 41 kg, but decreased in diameter from 41 to 50 kg. Also, this quadratic effect with slaughter weight was found in alpha R and alpha W fibers from the SM muscle of FS wether and ewe lambs. However, diameters of alpha R and alpha W fibers from SR wether and ewe lambs and beta R fibers from SR ewe lambs increased linearly in the SM muscle with increasing slaughter weight. As slaughter weight increased, the proportion of alpha R fibers decreased in both the LD and SM muscles for SR wether and FS wether and ewe lambs. Concurrent with the increase in slaughter weight and decrease in alpha R fiber percentage, the proportion of alpha W fibers increased in the LD muscle of SR wether lambs, the SM muscle of SR ewe lambs and both muscles of FS wether and ewe lambs. Genetic type and sex groups, except SR ewe lambs, support the theory of transformation of alpha R to alpha W fibers with increasing slaughter weights. Fat-cell diameters increased in both muscles of SR wether and FS ewe lambs with increasing slaughter weights. Increases in fat traits of lamb carcasses were related to increases in red-fiber size. Alpha red fiber numbers were inversely related (P less than .05) to alpha W fiber numbers in both the LD and SM muscles (r = -.83 and -.79). The proportion of alpha R to alpha W fibers might be used as an indicator of physiological maturity for lambs.

Thirty-three wether and ewe lambs of two breed groups- Suffolk ram x Suffolk-Rambouillet ewe (Su x R) and Suffolk ram x Finnish Landrace-Southdown ewe (Su x F x So)-and two slaughter weight groups (32 and 41 kg) were studied. Carcass studies, including histological examinations of muscle fiber types, sarcomere lengths and fat cell, were made. The longissimus (LD) muscle at the 13th rib and a sample of the semimembranosus (SM) from the upper proximal location were used. Fibers in both muscles were classified as beta R, alpha R or alpha W. Su x F x So lambs had more alpha W fibers and fewer alphaR fibers in both muscles. Breed type appeared to cause a physiological shift from alpha R to alpha W fiber types. Furthermore, beta R fibers were larger in the SM of the Su x F x So lambs than in that of the Su x R lambs. beta Red fibers in the LD, and all three types fibers in the SM, increased in size with increased weight. Wethers had fewer alpha R fibers in the SM, while ewe lambs had larger alpha R and alpha W fibers in the SM. The more phasic LD muscle had fewer beta R fibers, more alpha W fibers and smaller alpha R and alpha W fibers than the more tonic SM. Su x F x So lambs were fatter, as indicated by larger fat cells in both muscles. In addition, as slaughter weight increased, there was a concurrent increase in fat cell diameters in both muscles. Fat cells were larger in the LD than in the SM. Sarcomere lengths were not affected by breed, slaughter weight or sex. However, sarcomeres were longer in the SM than in the LD. Fat cell size and beta Red cells size for the LD were positively correlated with carcass fat indices, while shear values were negatively correlated with fat cell diameters. There was also a positive relationship between sarcomere length and fat cell size in the SM.

The Barton-Kirton (B-K) method of lamb carcass analysis, using large samples, was compared with routine, AOAC analysis, using small samples. Correlations between the two methods were highly significant for moisture, fat, and protein but not for ash. Regression equations for predicting ash, based on fat content, were developed and appear to be more accurate for estimating ash than the B-K technique.

Physical and chemical composition and carcass measurements were determined on a total of 126 lamb carcasses from nine New Zealand export grades (seven wether and seven ewe carcasses per grade). In general, carcasses of the Down (Prime Down Cross) and Prime (Prime Crossbred) grades of comparable weight were similar in composition, while carcasses of the Y (Second or F.A.Q. — fair average quality) and Alpha grades contained more lean and bone and less fat and had more protein and moisture and less chemical fat than the carcasses in the Down and Prime grades. Ash patterns were not consistent. Mean external and internal measurements showed that angular carcasses of the Y grades were longer and generally narrower in the forequarter, and had smaller and shallower ribeyes than the blockier carcasses of the Down grades.

Pregnant ewes (large frame [LF] and small frame [SF]) were nutritionally stressed in early gestation (EGS), late gestation (LGS) or fed 100% of NRC requirements (unstressed, US) throughout gestation. Lambs (128) from these ewes were slaughtered at birth, weaning (18 kg), 41 kg or 55 kg. Sixty-four lambs received a 13% protein diet from weaning to either 41 or 55 kg. Lambs from SF ewes were fatter at 55 kg, had a higher numerical yield grade and a lower percentage of carcass protein. Lambs from US ewes were youngest at slaughter and had the most carcass weight and protein per day of age at 55 kg. The LGS lambs had the lowest percentage of lean and carcass protein at 41 and 55 kg. However, at birth these lambs had the highest concentration of RNA and DNA in muscle. The EGS lambs had the lowest quality grade, carcass weight per day of age and fat percentage. Muscle DNA and RNA at birth was lowest in EGS lambs. However, EGS lambs produced the highest lean percentage and highest percentage carcass protein at 41 and 55 kg. Shortest metacarpals and metatarsals were also found in these lambs at weaning and 41 kg. Although frame size had little effect on carcass characteristics, the effects of nutritional stress in the first 80 d of gestation were apparent in lambs slaughtered at 31 kg. Stress in the last 50 d of gestation had more effect on lambs slaughtered at 55 kg.