Body composition of Romney-Southdown cross and Merino sheep foetuses at a constant age and a constant body weight

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Abstract
1. Body shape and carcass composition have been measured in a dated series of Romney-Southdown cross and Australian Merino sheep foetuses. 2. Large differences in shape exist between the two breed groups and these result from growth rate differences in certain components of the bone and muscle tissue. 3. Carcass composition at any particular foetal weight, however, is more uniform. In relation to body weight, the Merino has a higher proportion of bone in the body but the proportion of muscle is the same in both breed groups. Nevertheless, the distribution of muscle tissue is changed as there s i a higher proportion of muscle in the hind limb of the Romney-Southdown cross.