This experiment aimed at evaluating the effects of the supplementation of different vegetable oils at different levels to the diet of commercial layers on egg cholesterol levels and nutritional composition (proteins, total solids, lipids, and ashes) for 112 days. Birds were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design with 10 treatments (T1-control; T2-inclusion of 2.5% rapeseed oil; T3-inclusion of 2.5% canola oil; T4-inclusion of 2.5% soybean oil; T5-inclusion of 5% rapeseed oil; T6-inclusion of 5% canola oil; T7-inclusion of 5% soybean oil; T8-inclusion of 2.5% rapeseed oil + 2.5% soybean oil; T9-inclusion 2.5% canola oil + 2.5% soybean oil; T10-inclusion of 2.5% rapeseed oil + 2.5% canola oil) of six replicates of eight birds each, totaling 480 birds. Yolk cholesterol levels and nutritional composition were determined on days 20, 60 and 112 days of the experimental period. Data obtained during the experimental period were submitted to analysis of variance. Egg yolks produced by layer fed oils presented lower cholesterol levels after 20 days of inclusion in the experimental diets. On days 60 and 112, cholesterol levels were higher. It was concluded that supplementing layer diets with vegetable oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids does not change the nutritional composition of egg yolks. The supply of diets containing oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids does not reduce yolk cholesterol content.

This study aimed to assess and compare the growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of Pantaneiro sheep and their Texel and Santa Inês crossbreds. Ninety-six lambs, fifty-one males, and forty-five females, with a mean weaning weight of 15.21 ± 1.25 kg and 78 ± 13 days of age, were slaughtered at a 32-kg body weight. The results showed better production efficiency from males compared with females. Texel-crossed lambs had a better growth performance than the other genotypes. The Texel × Pantaneiro lambs were more efficient with a better feedlot performance, higher ribeye muscle area, and better carcass characteristics with an adequate amount of fat cover. Pantaneiro lambs and their crosses with meat breeds could be useful in meat production systems under Savanna environmental conditions.

This study configures a first report regarding the variability of meat quality of locally adapted Pantaneiro sheep depending on different physiological stages and breeding systems. Pantaneiro sheep are raised in Brazil under a tropical wetland ecosystem denominated Pantanal. Twenty-nine Pantaneiro sheep from different sex and physiological stages were sorted into three groups, simulating three of the most representative ovine meat products commercialized by South American industries: a) non castrated male lambs (n = 11); b) wethers (n = 9); c) cull ewes (n = 9). Animals from each physiological stage were submitted to different breeding systems, resembling farming strategies adopted in several developing countries of South America. The effect of physiological stages on the quality of meat was accessed using 16 variables measured in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LM) and the semimembranosus (SM) muscles. The variables were related to brightness, color, physical aspects, soluble and total collagen as well as chemical traits. The physiological stage was defined as a classification variable in order to proceed ANOVA tests and comparison of means (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis was used to identify patterns of similarity and differentiation between samples of different physiological stages (a, b, c). The results revealed that meat quality varies according to different physiological stages, especially between lambs (a) and cull ewes (c). As a consequence, the physiological stage at slaughter should be taken into consideration to cote the quality of meat from indigenous sheep raised in tropical regions. The results contribute towards sensorial evaluation and the characterization of potential food products derived from indigenous sheep bred under tropical climate in developing countries.

The aim of this study was to assess the meat quality of Pantaneiro lambs finished in confinement and slaughtered at different body weights (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 kg). Forty-five non-castrated male Pantaneiro lambs were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and nine replicates. The animals were housed in individual pens and slaughtered when they reached the target weights. For instrumental and centesimal analyses, the Semimembranosus, Longissimus lumborum, Gluteobiceps, and Triceps brachii muscles were used, whereas for fatty acid profile analysis only the Longissimus lumborum muscle was used. The different body weights influenced the final pH of the meat, but this still remained within the recommended values; however, the meat of heavier lambs had increased water-holding capacity (WHC), redness (a*), and fat content, making it the tenderest but least luminous and humid meat. Greater body weight led to a higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) content, reduction of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), higher hypercholesterolemic fatty acid content (H), and higher atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenicity indexes (TI). Therefore, it was concluded that the meat of lambs slaughtered at lower body weight presented better nutritional quality, making it more suitable for human consumption.

A B S T R A C TThe genetic diversity of the local breeds can contribute to the maintenance of traits that are economically important to the genetic improvement of sheep. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of genotype and sex on the fatty acid profile, shear force, and sensory traits of the longissimus lumborum muscle of lambs. Ninety-six lambs with a weaning weight of 15.21 ± 1.25 kg were finished in feedlot until they reached the slaughter weight of 32 kg. Lambs Pantaneiro male (uncastrated) and female, Texel × Pantaneiro, and Santa Inês × Pantaneiro were used in a completely randomized 2 × 3 factorial design. Pantaneiro lambs had a higher proportion of C14:0 than Texel × Pantaneiro and Santa Inês × Pantaneiro, while Texel × Pantaneiro had a higher proportion of C18:3ω6. Males had a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and ω3. Generally, the meat from all lambs showed high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). There was interaction between genotype and sex for C14:1 and C16:1. Santa Inês × Pantaneiro males had a higher proportion of C14:1than Pantaneiro females and Texel × Pantaneiro males and females. Pantaneiro males had a higher C16:1 than Texel × Pantaneiro males and females. The sex had an effect only for tenderness, with tender meat for females. Based on the fatty acid profile, the genotypes were discriminated with high accuracy, with 88.9%, 90.1% and 100% classified correctly for Pantaneiro, Santa Inês × Pantaneiro, and Texel × Pantaneiro, respectively. The use of Pantaneiro sheep for meat production provides the same fatty acids and sensory traits, and the crossbreeding shows a tendency to reduce the proportion of C14:0, C14:1, and C16:1, and to increase the proportion of C18:3ω6, highlighting the Texel × Pantaneiro lambs.⁎ Corresponding author at: Rodovia Dourados à Itahum, km 12,

-This study assessed the use of conformation and fatness scores of the EUROP sheep carcass grading system to predict weight and percentage of salable meat from Brazilian market lambs. Data were collected from in vivo, carcass, and retail production from 252 uncastrated lambs. Evaluated models included single regressions, two multivariate models, and one determined by the stepwise procedure. Conformation was moderately correlated with weight of salable meat. Fatness scores were correlated with rump perimeter, carcass width, and thoracic depth with coefficients of −0.33, −0.32, and −0.23, respectively. Body weight was the best single predictor for weight of salable meat and cold carcass yield for percentage of salable meat. All multivariate models for weight of salable meat prediction were significant. Stepwise regression with body weight, leg perimeter, thoracic depth, rump perimeter, and fatness scores predicted 98% of weight of salable meat variation. For percentage of salable meat prediction, stepwise regression with cold carcass yield, leg perimeter, and conformation score was significant. The EUROP conformation and fatness scores can be used in Brazil for the prediction of lamb meat production.

No abstract

RESUMOObjetivou-se avaliar o efeito da inclusão de glicerina bruta (GB) em substituição ao milho, na dieta de cordeiros Pantaneiros confinados, sobre as características da carcaça e qualidade da paleta e do pernil. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros machos, não castrados, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos (0, 2,5, 5,0 e 7,5% de GB em base da MS). Não houve efeito da inclusão de GB sobre os não componentes de carcaça. Houve efeito quadrático para peso de carcaça quente, com menor valor para 2,5% de GB. A composição regional e tecidual da carcaça não foi alterada pela substituição do milho pela GB. A composição tecidual da paleta e pernil e as características instrumentais da paleta não foram afetadas pelos teores de GB. Houve efeito quadrático para a intensidade de amarelo do pernil, com maior valor para 5,0% de GB. O teor de extrato etéreo da paleta apresentou efeito linear decrescente. Pode-se recomendar a utilização de 7,5% de GB, na matéria seca, em substituição ao milho, sem alteração das características da carcaça e qualidade da carne.Palavras-chave: área de olho de lombo, confinamento, coproduto, glicerol, nutrição, ovinos SUMMARYThe objective was to assess the effect of inclusion of crude glycerin (CG) replacing corn in the diet of feedlot Pantaneiro lambs on the non-carcass components, regional and tissue composition, and carcass traits. Were used 24 not castrated males, in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% of CG on DM basis). There was no effect of GB inclusion on non-carcass components. There was a quadratic effect for hot carcass weight, with lower value to 2.5% of CG. Regional and tissue composition of the carcass was not affected by the substitution of corn by CG. The tissue composition of shoulder and leg and instrumental traits of the shoulder were not affected by CG. There was a quadratic effect for the yellowness of the leg, with high value for 5.0% of GB. The ether extract content of shoulder showed decreased linear effect. The use of 7.5% of CG, in dry matter, can be recommend to replace corn of feedlot diets, without changing carcass traits and meat quality.