Development and evaluation of equations to predict body weight of Pelibuey ewes using heart girth

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate equations to predict body weight (BW) using heart girth (HG) in Pelibuey ewes. For model develop a data set composed by 366, 3-year-old, non-pregnant and non-lactating ewes; with a mean BW of 45.7±9.16 kg and HG of 87.55± 7.93 cm was used. A linear equation was fitted: BW= -47.97 (±2.01*) + 1.07 (±0.02**)×HG (R2 = 0.86, RMSE = 3.46, , y n = 366). A second data set composed by 67 animals, with similar characteristics (BW of 38.25± 8.62 kg and HG of 80.37± 7.03 cm) was used to evaluate the developed equations. For the evaluation, the relationship between observed and predicted values of BW by linear regression, the mean squared error of prediction (MSEP) and root MSEP (RMSEP), and concordance correlation coefficient analysis were used. The proposed equation was highly precise (r2 =0.913) and accurate (Cb=0.996) with a reproducibility index of 0.95. The MEF have indicates a higher efficiency of prediction with higher proportion of the total variance of the observed values been explained by the predicted data (0.91). The partition of the MSEP have indicated a very small mean bias (0.082). The systematic bias have shown that only 1.93% of the error of prediction was associated with the slope and most of the error was explained by the random component indicating small biases with the predictions. The proposed equation accurately and precisely estimated the BW of Pelibuey ewe using HG and therefore is recommended to be used

Relationship between body weight and body condition score with energy content in the carcass of Pelibuey ewes

The determination of energy content in the carcass and body of domestic animals by direct method involves very intensive work and it is costly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) with the energy content of muscular and adipose tissues of adult Pelibuey ewes. Twenty two adult non-pregnant, nonlactatingewes of 35.63 ± 5.03 kg BW and 2.47±0.55 BCS were used. The correlation coefficients (r) of BCS between muscle energy (ME), fat energy (FE) and total energy (TE) were all significant (P<0.01) with values of 0.64, 0.66 and 0.69, respectively, while for BW between ME, FE and TE they were all significant (P<0.001) with values of 0.90, 0.76 and 0.89, respectively. The regression equations had high determination coefficients (r2) ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 when BCS was used as predictor, while using the BW the r2 ranged from 0.59 to 0.83. The inclusion of both BW and BCS in multiple regressions improved the prediction from 2 to 7%; nonetheless, the inclusion of BCS only was significant in the equation for TE. The use of BCS and BW in Pelibuey ewes provides a good estimate of the ME, TE and FE of the carcass

Efectos del genotipo, tamaño de la camada y el sexo sobre las características de la canal y el perfil de ácidos grasos en corderos de pelo

The effect of the genotype (Pelibuey vs Katahdin), type of lambing (single vs. double) and sex (males vs. females) on the characteristics of the carcass and its cuts, in addition to the fatty acid profile of the loin were evaluated in 66 lambs slaughtered at weaning. The yield of the carcass and ribs were higher (P<0.05) in the Pelibuey breed. Slaughter weight, carcass weight and rib yield were higher (P<0.01) in single-born lambs, while the yield of shoulder and leg were lower (P<0.01) than in double-born lambs. The proportion of soft tissue of the different cuts was higher (P<0.05), but that of bone was lower (P< 0.05) in single-born lambs than in double-born lambs. Females had a higher (P<0.05) proportion of soft tissue and a lower proportion of bone (P<0.01) than males. The concentrations of C18:1n7 and C20:4n-6 were higher (P<0.05) in the Pelibuey breed than in the Katahdin breed, while the C22:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 were lower. The percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids was higher (P<0.05) in the meat of single-born lambs, while that of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-3 was higher (P<0.05) in double-born lambs. The characteristics of the carcass, the tissue composition of the commercial cuts and the fatty acid profile in hair sheep slaughtered at weaning varied more due to the type of lambing than due to the genotype or sex.El efecto del genotipo (Pelibuey vs Katahdin), tipo de parto (simple vs dobles) y sexo (machos vs. hembras) sobre las características de la canal y de sus cortes, además del perfil de ácidos grasos del lomo fueron evaluados en 66 corderos sacrificados al destete. El rendimiento de la canal y del costillar fue mayor (P<0.05) en la raza Pelibuey. El peso al sacrificio, peso de canal y rendimiento del costillar fue mayor (P<0.01) en crías de parto simple, mientras que el rendimiento de paleta y pierna fue menor (P< 0.01) que en crías de parto doble. La proporción del tejido blando de los diferentes cortes fue mayor (P<0.05), pero el de hueso fue menor (P< 0.05) en crías de parto simple que las de parto doble. Las hembras tuvieron mayor (P<0.05) proporción de tejido blando y menor proporción de hueso (P<0.01) que los machos. Las concentraciones de C18:1n7 y C20:4n-6 fueron mayores (P< 0.05) en la raza Pelibuey que, en la Katahdin, mientras que los C22:5n-3 y C22:6n-3 fueron menores. El porcentaje de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados fue mayor (P<0.05) en la carne de crías de partos simples, en tanto que el de los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados totales y n-3 fue mayor (P<0.05) en crías de partos dobles. Las características de la canal, la composición tisular de los cortes comerciales y el perfil de ácidos grasos en ovinos de pelo sacrificados al destete mostraron más cambios por el tipo de parto que por el genotipo o el sexo

Efectividad del clorhidrato de zilpaterol en la finalización de corderos: Patente vs. Genérico

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of the patent vs. generic sources of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, primary cut yields, and meat quality of lambs finished in feedlot. Thirty (30) Dorper×Pelibuey male lambs were distributed into 10 blocks, each with three lambs of similar initial live weight which were randomly assigned to the following treatments: 1) without ZH (control), 2) with patent ZH (PZH), and 3) with generic ZH (GZH). Treatment means were compared through two orthogonal contrasts: control vs. ZH (PZH+GZH) and PZH vs. GZH. ZH did not affect (P≥0.15) the productive performance, carcass weight, backfat thickness, or fat percentages (kidney-pelvic-heart, mesenteric or omental), but increased (P≤0.05) Longissimus dorsi muscle area and yields of carcass, shoulder, leg, and plain loin. As for the meat quality, ZH did not affect (P≥0.24) pH and shear force, but reduced (P<0.05) redness, yellowness, and chroma color values at 24 h post mortem, as well as the redness value (P<0.01) at 14 days of aging. With exception of carcass yield which tended (P=0.07) to increase with PZH, all measured variables were similar (P³0.14) between PZH and GZH. It has been concluded that both types of ZH at a dose of 0.10 mg per kg of live weight promote muscular hypertrophy in finishing lambs; however, this dosage is not sufficient to result in a better productive performance or carcass weight.El objetivo del estudio fue comparar el efecto de la fuente del clorhidrato de zilpaterol (CZ;  patente vs genérico) sobre el comportamiento productivo, características de la canal, rendimientos de cortes primarios y calidad de la carne de corderos finalizados en corral. Se distribuyeron 30 corderos Dorper ×Pelibuey en 10 bloques donde cada bloque tenía tres corderos de similar peso vivo inicial, los cuales se asignaron aleatoriamente a los siguientes tratamientos: 1) sin CZ (testigo), 2) con CZ de patente (CZP), y 3) con CZ genérico (CZG). Las medias de tratamientos se compararon a través de dos contrastes ortogonales: testigo vs. CZ (CZP+CZG) y CZP vs. CZG. El CZ no afectó (P≥0.15) el comportamiento productivo, peso de la canal, espesor de grasa dorsal, ni los porcentajes de grasa (riñón-corazón-pelvis, mesentérica u omental), pero aumentó (P≤0.05) el área del músculo Longissimus dorsi y los rendimientos de canal, paleta, pierna y lomo plano. En calidad de la carne, el CZ no afectó (P≥0.24) el pH y esfuerzo al corte, pero redujo (P<0.05) los valores de color rojizo, amarillento y chroma a las 24 h post mortem, y también los valores de rojizo (P<0.01) a los 14 días de maduración. Con excepción del rendimiento en canal que tendió (P=0.07) a ser mayor con CZP, todas las variables medidas fueron similares (P³0.14) entre CZP y CZG. Se concluye que ambos tipos de CZ a una dosis de 0.10 mg/kg de peso vivo promueven hipertrofia muscular en corderos de finalización, pero no es suficiente para reflejarse en mejor comportamiento productivo y peso de la canal

Effects of the inclusion of ground Pouteria sapota kernel on intake, digestibility, and growth performance in lambs

Simple Summary: The concept of sustainable diets that are profitable, ethical, socioculturally acceptable, and environmentally beneficial is emerging as one of the key solutions to ensure the efficiency of livestock production systems. In this regard, agro-industrial by-products obtained from fruit processing have emerged as an alternative. Mamey pulp generates residual biomass from which the kernel is the main by-product that, due to its composition, can be used as ruminant feed. This study determined the effects of the inclusion of ground mamey kernel on intake, digestibility, and growth performance in lambs. No effects on nutrient intake or productive performance were observed. However, protein and fiber digestibility were reduced by ground mamey kernel inclusion. These findings suggest that mamey kernels can be included in ruminant diets. Abstract: This study determined the effect of replacing ground corn and soybean meal with ground Pouteria sapota kernel (PSSM) in lamb diets on nutrient intake and digestibility, performance, and carcass traits. Twenty-one male hair sheep lambs with an average body weight of 22 ± 3.5 kg were randomly assigned to three treatment diets containing PSSM at 0, 10, and 20% of the total dry matter (DM) inclusion. The study lasted 60 days, which included 15 days for adaption and 45 days for sample collection. The PSSM inclusion did not affect intake or performance (p > 0.05). However, ether extract (EE) digestibility linearly increased (p < 0.0001), while crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) linearly decreased. Final body weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, feeding efficiency, and carcass traits were not affected by PSSM inclusion. In conclusion, these results suggest that PSSM can replace up to 200 g/kg DM of ground corn and soybean meal without affecting intake or animal performance

Predicción de las características de la canal en ovejas Pelibuey de desecho por medio de ultrasonido

The objective of present study was to predict the carcass characteristics of 28 discarded Pelibuey ewes (41.01 ± 8.43 kg) using ultrasonography. The ultrasonic measurements of fat thickness (FT), area, (LDA), depth (DLD) and width (WLD) of the Longissimus dorsi, between the 12th and 13th thoracic vertebra and between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebra, were performed 24 h before slaughter. At the slaughter, hot carcass, internal organs and internal fat were weighed. The carcasses were divided in two half, refrigerated (1 °C; 24 h) and the chilled carcass were weighed. Then were dissected and weighed in the main tissues. With the data it was calculated the correlation coefficients between the variables and their relationships were estimated using regression models. It was observed that the ultrasonic measurements of thoracic and lumbar backfat thickness had a positive r2 that ranged from 0.51 to 0.66 (P<0.001) for prediction of the carcass weights; and an r2 from 0.44 to 0.57 (P<0.001) to predict the carcass muscle quantity. It is possible to use the measurements of ultrasound as a tool for the evaluation of carcass characteristics in discarded Pelibuey ewes and it is possible to predict the carcass weights and edible tissues.El objetivo fue predecir mediante ultrasonografía las características de la canal de 28 ovejas Pelibuey (41.01 ± 8.43 kg) de desecho alimentadas en sistema intensivo, clínicamente sanas, no gestantes y no lactantes. Las mediciones ultrasónicas de espesor de grasa dorsal (EGD), área, (ALD), profundidad (PLD) y ancho (ALD) del músculo Longissimus dorsi, entre la 12.a y 13.a vertebra torácica y entre la 3.a y 4.a vértebra lumbar, se realizaron 24 h antes del sacrificio. Al sacrificio se pesó la canal caliente, así como los órganos internos y la grasa interna. Las canales se dividieron a la mitad, se refrigeraron (1°C; 24 h) y se pesaron en canal frío. Luego fueron diseccionadas y pesadas en sus principales componentes. Con los datos se calcularon los coeficientes de correlación entre variables y las relaciones se estimaron mediante modelos de regresión. Se observó que las mediciones ultrasónicas de grasa dorsal, torácica y lumbar tuvieron un r2 positiva de entre 0.51 y 0.66 (P<0.001) en la predicción de los pesos de la canal; y un r2 de entre 0.44 a 0.57 (P<0.001) para predecir el tejido muscular en la canal. Es posible utilizar las mediciones de ultrasonido como una herramienta para la evaluación de características de la canal de ovejas Pelibuey de desecho, y es posible predecir el peso de la canal y los tejidos comestibles

Relationships between body mass index, ultrasound measurements and, internal body fat depots in pelibuey sheep

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), ultrasound measurements (USM), and internal fat (IF) in hair sheep. The BMI and USM were determined 24 hours before laughter in 35 animals finished in intensive fattening. At slaughter, the IF (inner adipose tissue) was dissected, weighed, and grouped as mesenteric, omental, or perirenal fat; these three depots were summed to obtain their total weight. The relationship of the variables was evaluated through Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) using the CORR procedure and by regression models using the REG procedure of SAS ver. 9.3. The IF and BMI presented r= 0.75 (P 0.05). The regression equation between IF and BMI had a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.67 (P <.0001). The inclusion of the subcutaneous fat thickness together with the BMI improved the r2 with a range of 0.77. The BMI and the subcutaneous fat thickness could be used to predict the weight of the internal fat in hair sheep

effect of adding extra virgin olive oil to hair sheep lambs’ diets on productive performance, ruminal fermentation kinetics and rumen ciliate protozoa

Simple Summary: The use of added lipids in the diets of ruminants has been found to have beneficial effects. In this study, the effects of different doses of extra virgin olive oil on the productive traits and ruminal fermentation parameters in lambs were evaluated. The relationship between nutrient intake and digestibility was optimal with 2% oil inclusion. The concentration of propionic acid increased with 2 and 4% DM of olive oil, while butyric acid decreased. The intake of olive oil did not affect the population of protozoa or animal performance. The inclusion of olive oil in low concentrations (2% of DM) positively influences feed intake and nutrient digestibility in hair sheep lambs. Abstract: This study determined productive performance, ruminal fermentation kinetics and rumen ciliate protozoa in hair sheep lambs fed different levels of olive oil. Twenty-four growing lambs were used, with an initial live weight of 10.5 ± 2.9 kg, and randomly assigned into four treatments (six animals per treatment) containing increasing levels of extra virgin olive oil (0, 2, 4 and 6% of dry matter). Animals were fed for 80 days, and sampling was carried out weekly. Intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and metabolizable energy (ME) differed between treatments (p < 0.05), with a linear and cubic tendency to decrease when oil concentrations were increased. Digestibility coefficients of OM, CP and NDF were not affected; however, the relationship between total intake and nutrient digestibility (DM, OM, NDF, ADF) increased with 2% DM olive oil. Compared with all treatments, the concentration of propionic acid increased by 16% with 4% olive oil. The intake of olive oil did not affect the protozoa population and live weight gain. Overall, the inclusion of olive oil in low concentrations (2% of DM) positively influences feed intake and nutrient digestibility in hair sheep lambs

Effect of different dietary inclusion levels of whole plant green tomato (Physalis philadelphica) silage on nutrient intake and digestibility, and in vitro rumen fermentation kinetics in sheep

Mexico has many agricultural by-products that can be used for animal feed, and green tomatoes are produced throughout the country and can be an alternative to overcome the high prices of cereal-based feeds. This study determined in vitro fermentation kinetics, production performance, nutrient intake, digestibility, and nitrogen balance from sheep supplemented with whole plant green tomato (GT) on corn silage (CS) based diets. For 21 days, eighteen Suffolk lambs (38 ± 4 kg of live weight) were grouped into three dietary GT inclusion levels to replace CS: a control diet based on 100% CS (GT0, 570 g /kg dry matter, DM), while 100 g/kg DM (GT100) and 200 g/kg DM (GT200) of GT were included as a replacement for CS. A completely randomized design was used to measure in vitro gas production, in vitro rumen fermentation, chemical composition, and in vivo parameters. In vitro gas production, “A” (ml/g DM), fermentation rates “B,” (h−1), and “C” (h−½), were lower for GT200, while DM disappearance (mg/100mg) was lower for GT100 compared with GT0. Compared to GT0, GT100 and GT200 did not affect (P > 0.05) DM and organic matter (OM) intake (g/kgLW0.75). Ether extract intake was higher for GT0 and GT100 (P < 0.001) compared to GT200. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was higher (P < 0.05) for GT200 compared with GT0. Intake of lignin was higher (P < 0.001) for GT200 than that of GT0 and GT100. Digestibility coefficients for DM, OM, NDF, and Acid detergent fiber (ADF) were lower (P < 0.05) in GT100 than in the rest of the treatments. Nitrogen intake and N excreted in feces and urine were lower (P < 0.001) for GT0. N balance was negative for all treatments, being higher for GT200 (P < 0.05). Overall, the addition of GT at 100 or 200 g/kg DM in sheep diets negatively affects nutrient digestibility and N balance, so their dietary inclusion is not recommended

Intake of Spineless Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica During Late Pregnancy Improves Progeny Performance in Underfed Sheep

13 Pág.The present study tested whether feeding ewes during the last third of pregnancy with cladodes of Opuntia (untreated or protein-enriched), as an alternative to alfalfa hay, would improve milk yield as well as the pre- and post-natal growth of their lambs. Sixty mature Rambouillet ewes and their progeny were randomly allocated among three nutritional treatments: (i) Control, fed alfalfa; (ii) Opuntia, fed untreated cladodes; (iii) E-Opuntia, fed protein-enriched cladodes (pre-treated with urea and ammonium sulphate). Birth weight did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05) but Control ewes produced more milk than both groups of Opuntia-fed ewes (p 0.05) because lambs from E-Opuntia-fed ewes grew faster (p < 0.01) and were heavier at weaning (p < 0.05) than lambs from the other two groups. We conclude that Opuntia (with or without protein enrichment) can be used as an alternative to alfalfa hay for feeding ewes during the last third of pregnancy and therefore reduce production costs under extensive conditions in arid and semiarid regions. Moreover, protein-enriched Opuntia appears to improve postnatal lamb growth.The present study was funded by the National Institute for Research in Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock (INIFAP/project-10561934075).Peer reviewe