Characterization of Accretive Rates for Growth Constituents in Male Suffolk Sheep

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Effects of accretive rates of carcass and offal lipid, protein and ash on growth rate and chemical composition were investigated by analyzing data collected on 58 Suffolk rams. Linear estimates of accretive traits during growth from 32 to 73 kg were calculated for individual rams fed common concentrate diets ad libitum. Weights of lipid, protein and ash at 32 kg were predicted, whereas weights of these components at 73 kg were measured directly by slaughtering each ram. Average accretive rates of carcass lipid, protein and ash were 78.4 ± 1.8, 26.8 ± .5 and 9.10 + .20 g/d, respectively. Corresponding traits for offal were 19.0 ± .5, 5.50 ± .20 and 1.52 ± .06 g/d, while growth rate averaged 370 ± 7 g/d. Coefficients of variation for offal accretive traits were greater than values for corresponding carcass accretive traits. Path coefficient analyses indicated that the six accretive traits jointly accounted for 78, 54, 77, 91, 68 and 87% of the variation in the proportion of carcass lipid, protein and ash and offal lipid, protein and ash at 73 kg of live weight, respectively. Accretive traits explained 80% of the variation in growth rate. Results indicated the major effect that accretive rate of offal protein exerted on growth rate and on chemical composition at 73 kg. It was hypothesized that effects of accretive rate of carcass lipid on growth rate and chemical composition were primarily mediated through accretive rate of offal protein. Copyright © 1985. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1985 by American Society of Animal Science

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: