In vivo ultrasound and biometric measurements predict the empty body chemical composition in Nellore cattle

Abstract

Evaluation of the body chemical composition of beef cattle can only be measured postmortem and those data cannot be used in real production scenarios to adjust nutritional plans. The objective of this study was to develop multiple linear regression equations from in vivo measurements, such as ultrasound parameters [backfat thickness (uBFT, mm), rump fat thickness (uRF, mm), and ribeye area (uLMA, cm2)], shrunk body weight (SBW, kg), age (AG, d), hip height (HH, m), as well as from postmortem measurements (composition of the 9th to 11th rib section) to predict the empty body and carcass chemical composition for Nellore cattle. Thirty-three young bulls were used (339 ± 36.15 kg and 448 ± 17.78 d for initial weight and age, respectively). Empty body chemical composition (protein, fat, water, and ash in kg) was obtained by combining noncarcass and carcass components. Data were analyzed using the PROC REG procedure of SAS software. Mallows' Cp values were close to the ideal value of number of independent variables in the prediction equations plus one. Equations to predict chemical components of both empty body and carcass using in vivo measurements presented higher R2 values than those determined by postmortem measurements. Chemical composition of the empty body using in vivo measurements was predicted with R2 > 0.73. Equations to predict chemical composition of the carcass from in vivo measurements showed R2 lower (R2< 0.68) than observed for empty body, except for the water (R2 = 0.84). The independent variables SBW, uRF, and AG were sufficient to predict the fat, water, energy components of the empty body, whereas for estimation of protein content the uRF, HH, and SBW were satisfactory. For the calculation of the ash, the SBW variable in the equation was sufficient. Chemical compounds from components of the empty body of Nellore cattle can be calculated by the following equations: protein (kg) = 47.92 + 0.18 × SBW - 1.46 × uRF - 30.72 × HH (R2 = 0.94, RMSPE = 1.79); fat (kg) = 11.33 + 0.16 × SBW + 2.09 × uRF - 0.06 × AG (R2 = 0.74, RMSPE = 4.18); water (kg) = - 34.00 + 0.55 × SBW + 0.10 × AG - 2.34 × uRF (R2 = 0.96, RMSPE = 5.47). In conclusion, the coefficients of determination (for determining the chemical composition of the empty body) of the equations derived from in vivo measures were higher than those of the equations obtained from rib section measurements taken postmortem, and better than coefficients of determination of the equations to predict the chemical composition of the carcass.

Prediction of Carcass Traits of Hair Sheep Lambs Using Body Measurements

“…Notably, SBW accounted for a high proportion of the variation in the carcass traits evaluated in the present study (47% to 99%; Table 3). Previously, the importance of SBW as a predictor was reported for cattle [6]. Notably, the SBW accounted for 47% to 99% of the variation in the evaluated carcass traits (Table 2).…”

“…Indirect methods include the prediction of carcass and body composition based on parameters easily obtained [1] through ultrasound [4][5][6], computed tomography, dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), digital image analysis or body measurements [6][7][8][9]. Some of these methods, such as computerised tomography, magnetic resonance, and DEXA are limited to developed countries due to the cost of acquiring the necessary equipment and the need for specialised, professionally trained personnel; also, these methods can be time-consuming [3,[9][10][11].…”

Empty body chemical composition of Nellore steers estimated by indirect methods

“…The use of different methods to know the body composition of animals, mainly in the fattening phase (FONSECA et al, 2017;CASTILHOS et al, 2018), suggests a more appropriate choice for each intended objective (SCHOLZ et al, 2015), using direct or indirect methods.…”

“…For nutrition studies, which do not require knowledge of cut yield or proportion of edible tissues (BARBOSA et al, 2016;CUNNINGHAM et al, 2018), measuring water amount in the empty body may be sufficient to establish the other fractions (CASTILHOS et al, 2018).…”

Anatomic Features of the Spleen in Vertebrate Animals

“…Актуальними залишаються анатомічні дослідження селезінки, результати яких широко впроваджуються в медичну, зокрема, хірургічну, педіатричну практику [5]. Ультразвукове дослідження (УЗД) органу впроваджується у ветеринарну практику, зокрема, для продуктивних тварин [9,10].…”