Influence of selected factors on meat quality from farm-raised and wild fallow deer (Dama dama): a review

Abstract

Fallow deer meat (venison) is a new product acquired from farm-raised and wild animals. Nowadays, people are more concerned about their health, and therefore, they search for high quality, “healthy” products. Farming of fallow deer is ecological and friendly to the environment. Animals are kept in pasture conditions which resemble their natural environment. Venison is considered healthy meat, low in fat and cholesterol, and high in protein. The aim of this review was to gather and discuss the available literature on factors influencing the quality of venison such as sex, age, slaughter method and housing system, feeding, hanging method, animal condition, muscle type, and ageing of meat, considering both farm-raised and wild fallow deer.

Fatty Acids and Nutraceutical Properties of Lipids in Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Meat Produced in Organic and Conventional Farming Systems

“…Compared with other cervid species, fallow deer meat is regarded as a healthier product due to the higher content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) [17]. It is high in protein, heme iron, copper, zinc, and potassium and low in saturated fatty acids [17,18,[22][23][24][25]. The meat of cervids is also a good source of nutritionally important conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) [25].…”

“…It is high in protein, heme iron, copper, zinc, and potassium and low in saturated fatty acids [17,18,[22][23][24][25]. The meat of cervids is also a good source of nutritionally important conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) [25]. Due to the essential role of fat in the human diet, the quantity and quality of lipids in meat from various animal species are the focus of considerable research interest [7,[26][27][28][29][30][31].…”

Effects of Immunocastration and Amino Acid Supplementation on Yearling Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Testes Development

“…Overall, fallow deer are seen as easily manageable animals, as they adapt to different environments with low feeding and handling requirements [ 3 , 4 ]. The biggest challenge during their production is documented as they approach rut (late spring, early winter), which is marked by a drastic increase in testosterone production to support mating activities and fighting to establish hierarchies, thus endangering each other as well as handlers [ 2 ].…”