Adipose Tissue Growth in Cattle Representing Two Frame Sizes: Distribution among Depots

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Abstract
Adipose tissue growth was studied in 40 steers, progeny of Limousin, Maine Anjou and Simmental sires and crossbred cows. Cows were either two- or three-way crosses among Angus, Hereford, Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds. Steers were allotted into two growth groups of frame sizes (smaller and larger) according to their weights at 180 d of age and managed similarly. Steers within a size group were assigned at random into five slaughter groups. The left side of each carcass was separated into fat, lean, bone and connective tissue components. Omental and mesenteric adipose tissues also were weighed. Steers of both frame size followed a similar pattern of fat deposition, and no significant differences were observed in the rate of fattening with respect to muscle plus bone. Growth coefficients for the dissectible fat depots with respect to total fat in the body were homogeneous between frame sizes, Intra-muscular fat, however, was not a later developing depot. Kidney and omental fat increased at the same rate as total fat in the body. Consequently, they should not be considered as earlier developing tissues among fat depots. Because of their rate of growth, and because they contribute up to 30% of the total fat, visceral fats (omental, mesenteric and kidney) should be considered in any attempt to reduce the amount of excess fat deposited in cattle and to increase efficiency of beef production. This study indicates that the fat thickness at the 12-13th rib is a better estimator of subcutaneous fat content than of fat content of other depots. Copyright © 1982. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1982 by American Society of Animal Science

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