Effects of Maternal Undernutrition during Mid-Gestation on the Yield, Quality and Composition of Kid Meat Under an Extensive Management System

Abstract

Nutritional status during mid-gestation is often ignored under extensive husbandry. This study aimed to examine the effect of maternal undernutrition during mid-gestation on kid meat production under an extensive system. Twenty-seven goats (45 ± 3 d of gestation) were randomly assigned to an unrestricted group (100% of nutrient requirements), or a restricted group (60% of nutrient requirements from 45 to 100 d of gestation, and then re-alimented to 100%). Among the offspring, 16 eligible kids (eight per treatment) were selected, based on birth type and survival, and were harvested to evaluate the meat yield, quality, and composition at 90 d after birth. Maternal undernutrition reduced the body weight and size, average daily gain and hot carcass weight of the kids (p < 0.05). The lightness of the meat at 45 min postmortem was increased (p = 0.029) in the restricted kids. Apart from an increase in tyrosine concentration (p = 0.046), the proximate composition and the amino acid and fatty acid profiles were unaffected in the restricted kids (p > 0.05). Overall, maternal undernutrition during mid-gestation decreased the yield of kid meat, but did not significantly modify the quality and composition. These results highlight the importance of nutrient status during mid-gestation in the meat production of small ruminants under an extensive regime.

Sustainable Rearing for Kid Meat Production in Southern Italy Marginal Areas: A Comparison among Three Genotypes

“…Meat from Maltese kids had overall intermediate values, in particular as for myristic acid (C 14:0 ) that was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in comparison with the Derivata di Siria breed while higher (p < 0.05) respect to Garganica kids. No effect of genotype was recorded for the oleic acid concentration (C 18:1 n9 c9 ), which is the most representative fatty acid among MUFAs, in agreement with previous studies [15,31,50], while the trans-oleic fatty acid concentration, i.e., elaidic acid (C 18:1n9t9 ), was highest in meat from Garganica kids, in comparison with both Derivata di Siria (p < 0.05) and Maltese (p < 0.01). The main trans-monoenoic acids in ruminants are elaidic and vaccenic acid.…”

“…The fatty acid composition of the longissimus lumborum intramuscular fat is shown in Table 7. Among the SFAs, the main fatty acids identified were palmitic, stearic and myristic, in agreement with several studies carried out on kid and goat meat [15,31,49,50]. In particular, meat from Garganica kids showed a significantly lower (p < 0.05) amount of total SFAs than the Derivata di Siria breed and a lower concentration of several individual fatty acids such as C 10:0 (p < 0.05), C 14:0 (p < 0.01) and C 17:0 (p < 0.05).…”

“…Garganica meat showed the lowest concentration of α-linolenic acid, with a significant difference than Maltese (p < 0.05) and Derivata di Siria (p < 0.01) breeds. In the present study, the average C 18:3 n3 (α-linolenic) concentration was similar [15,49], lower [31] or greater [50] compared to the findings reported by other authors, thus confirming the wide variability of the fatty acid profile of meat due to animal genotype and slaughter age [55]. α-linolenic acid is converted into its longer chain homologs of which the most important for their nutritional interest are C 20:5 n3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and C 22:6 n3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) since they are important components of animal cell membranes [56].…”

Maternal Intake Restriction Programs the PKA-CREB Pathway to Regulate Energy Metabolism, CLOCK and mTOR Signals in the Skeletal Muscles of Goat Offspring

“…After complete weaning at 60 d of age, the diet containing milk replacer and fresh grass was given until 90 d of age. The management measures and diet composition for kids were described previously (28). At 90 d of age, sixteen kids (8 of each group) were slaughtered and samples were collected.…”

“…Previously, we have noticed an association of an elevated glucagon level in mother goats caused by maternal intake restriction during midgestation with a programed liver energy metabolism in the offspring (27) and a reduction in the muscle mass in the kid goats (28). Glucagon in uences tissue metabolism through the classical cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway in peripheral tissues (29), and CREB is a key regulator in energy metabolism (30), protein synthesis and circadian control (31,32).…”