Fatty acid and conjugated linoleic acid content of Anatolian buffaloes at different muscle types and slaughter weight.

This research was performed to detect tissue fatty acid (FA) composition and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in Anatolian buffaloes at different muscle types (MTs) and slaughter weights (SWs). The research was carried out on a private commercial livestock farm in Tokat. The research's animal material comprised 20 Anatolian buffalo calves with approximately 100 kg body weights, weaned at about 150 days of age. Before the experiment started, the calves were randomly divided into two slaughter groups (SW) as low weight (LW=225 kg) and high weight (HW=325 kg). Ten calves from each of the two experimental groups, which were intensively fed, were slaughtered in two different weights. After the slaughtering, FA composition and CLA content of the Semimembranosus (SM), Semitendinosus (ST), and Triceps brachii (TB) muscle tissues of the animals were examined. The study determined that palmitoleic acid (C16:1) and stearic acid (C18:0) were affected by MTs and oleic acid (C18:1) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) were affected by SW (P < 0.05). The highest CLA was in the ST muscle type (0.298) and the LW group (0.289) of the SW groups (P > 0.05). With the increase of SW (in LW and HW groups), n-6/n3 (SM: 7.783 and 6.533; ST: 8.115 and 7.859; TB: 8.416 and 8.215) (P > 0.05) and PUFA ratio decreased (P < 0.05). The SW increase raised the SFA ratio in the SM muscle (P < 0.05) while lowering it in the TB muscle (P > 0.05). Again, with the increase in SW, AI and TI values increased in SM and ST muscles, while the same index values decreased in TB muscle (P > 0.05). In conclusion, when considering the PUFA/SFA ratio and the beneficial effects of CLAs on human health, ST in the MT and LW groups in SW, and thus ST and LW in MT and SW were prominent in Anatolian buffaloes.

The effect of different slaughter weights on some meat quality traits of musculus longissimus dorsi thoracis of male Anatolian buffaloes.

This research was performed to examine the effects of different slaughter weights (SWs) on some meat quality traits of Anatolian Buffaloes (n = 20). Weaned 5-month-old Anatolian Buffalo calves with an average live weight of 100 kg were used as the animal material of the study. Experimental calves were randomly divided into four different slaughter weight groups 200 kg (SW-1: n = 5), 250 kg (SW-2: n = 5), 300 kg (SW-3: n = 5), and 350 kg (SW-4: n = 5). Anatolian buffalo calves were fed with 30:70 roughage/concentrate feed ration. Meat quality attributes of musculus longissimus dorsi thoracis (LT) muscle of calves slaughtered at target slaughter weight were investigated. The quality traits included 45th minute pH (pH45min), 24th hour pH (pH24h), 1st and 24th hour color parameters (L* (lightness), a* (redness) and b* (yellowness), water holding capacity (WHC), drip loss (3rd day (DL-3) and 7th day (DL-7)), freeze-thaw loss (FTL), cooking loss (CL), chemical composition), fatty acid, and cholesterol profiles. The differences in LT muscle pH24h, 24th hour a* and b* color parameters and WHC values of SW groups were not found to be significant (P > 0.05). The lowest DL-3 was observed in SW-1 (6.89%) and the greatest in SW-2 (8.96%) groups. Ether extract (EE) ratios increased (P < 0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/saturated fatty acid (SFA) proportions decreased (P > 0.05) with increasing SWs. The differences in total cholesterol contents of SW groups were not detected to be significant (P > 0.05). Among the SW groups of Anatolian Buffaloes, SW-1 was found to be prominent with high WHC, CP, and PUFA/SFA ratio and the least DL-3 ratio.

Fatty acid profilies and some meat quality traits at different slaughter weights of Brown Swiss bulls.

This research was done to detect some meat quality traits and tissue fatty acid combination of the longissimus dorsi thoracis (LT) muscle of Brown Swiss bulls at the different slaughter weights (SW). The animal material of the study comprised 20 Brown Swiss bulls. In the study, Brown Swiss bulls were divided into two groups according to their SW as low (LSW (n = 10); 431-503 kg) and high (HSW (n = 10); 504-583 kg). In the study, the LSW group showed the lowest final pH value (pHF) (5.44) (P < 0.05). As the SW increase, the L* (lightness) value decreased in the LT muscle of Brown Swiss bulls (P > 0.05). In the research, the differences observed between the SW groups considering a* (redness) and C (chroma) values were found significant (P < 0.05). LT muscle water holding capacity (PL) decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing slaughter weight. In the study, the differences observed between SW groups in terms of drip losses (DL) after 3-day (DRP3) and 7-day (DRP7) storages and cooking losses (CL) determined were found insignificant (P > 0.05). Freeze-thaw loss (FL) and ether extract (PEE) were found 4.35% and 1.01% higher, respectively, in the HSW group than the LSW group (P < 0.05). Cholesterol content was determined as 66.15 and 70.68 mg 100 g-1 meat in LSW and HSW groups, respectively. The ratios of n-6/n-3 (P < 0.05) and PUFA/SFA (P > 0.05) in the LT muscle decreased with the increase of SW. As a result, when LSW and HSW slaughter weight groups were evaluated considering the water losses causing financial losses in meat and fatty acids having beneficial effects on human health, it was seen that the LSW group came to the fore.

Some gastrointestinal tract characteristics of Karayaka ram lambs slaughtered at different weights.

Thirty-one Karayaka ram lambs were slaughtered at different body weights (30 (n = 7), 35 (n = 6), 40 (n = 7), 45 (n = 6), and 50 (n = 5) kg of body weight at fast) to evaluate the growth of their gastrointestinal tract (GIT) characteristics, to determine the relationship among slaughter body weight (SBW) and empty body weight (EBW), whole GIT and segments, and the influence of slaughter weight on the pH of rumen, jejunum, and cecal contents. The effects of the SBW on GIT weight (P < 0.05), stomach (P < 0.001), and intestine (P < 0.05), the body length (P < 0.001) and caecum (P < 0.05), and the relative weights of GIT (P < 0.05), stomach (P < 0.001), and intestine (P < 0.001) were linear whereas that for the length of intestine were quadratic. The effect of SBW were quadratic (P < 0.05) on ratios of stomach to GIT weight and intestine length to intestine weight and rumen pH while, for the intestine to GIT weight ratio (P < 0.001) and caecum pH (P < 0.05), this effect was linear. The results indicated that for all parameters studied, with the exception of intestinal length and cecal pH, linear relationships were observed with SBW indicating steady growth rates for these tissues.

Review of sheep breeding and genetic research in Türkiye.

The livestock industry in Türkiye is vital to the country's agricultural sector and economy. In particular, sheep products are an important source of income and livelihood for many Turkish smallholder farmers in semi-arid and highland areas. Türkiye is one of the largest sheep producers in the world and its sheep production system is heavily dependent on indigenous breeds. Given the importance of the sheep industry in Türkiye, a systematic literature review on sheep breeding and genetic improvement in the country is needed for the development and optimization of sheep breeding programs using modern approaches, such as genomic selection. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive literature review on the current characteristics of sheep populations and farms based on the most up-to-date census data and breeding and genetic studies obtained from scientific articles. The number of sheep has increased in recent years, mainly due to the state's policy of supporting livestock farming and the increase in consumer demand for sheep dairy products with high nutritional and health benefits. Most of the genetic studies on indigenous Turkish sheep have been limited to specific traits and breeds. The use of genomics was found to be incipient, with genomic analysis applied to only two major breeds for heritability or genome-wide association studies. The scope of heritability and genome-wide association studies should be expanded to include traits and breeds that have received little or no attention. It is also worth revisiting genetic diversity studies using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Although there was no report of genomic selection in Turkish sheep to date, genomics could contribute to overcoming the difficulties of implementing traditional pedigree-based breeding programs that require accurate pedigree recording. As indigenous sheep breeds are better adapted to the local environmental conditions, the proper use of breeding strategies will contribute to increased income, food security, and reduced environmental footprint in a sustainable manner.

The Effect of Birth Weight on Fattening Performance, Meat Quality, and Muscle Fibre Characteristics in Lambs of the Karayaka Native Breed.

This investigation aimed to assess the influence of birth weight on post-weaning fattening performance, meat quality, muscle fibre characteristics, and carcass traits in Karayaka lambs. The study categorized the lambs into three distinct groups based on birth weight: low birth weight (LBW), medium birth weight (MBW), and high birth weight (HBW). Throughout the fattening phase, the lambs were given ad libitum access to food and water, culminating in the slaughter at the end of the study. Following slaughter, warm and cold carcasses were weighted, and specific muscles (longissimus thoracis et lumborum [LTL], semitendinosus [ST], and semimembranosus [SM]) were isolated for the evaluation of muscle weights, muscle fibre types (Type I, Type IIA, and Type IIB), and muscle fibre numbers. Carcass characteristics were also determined, including eye muscle (LTL) fat, loin thickness, and meat quality characteristics, such as pH, colour, texture, cooking loss, and water-holding capacity. The statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences among the experimental groups concerning muscle weights and warm and cold carcass weights (p < 0.01), with the lambs in the HBW group exhibiting a notably higher carcass yield (in females: 45.65 ± 1.34% and in males: 46.18 ± 0.77%) and LTL, ST, and SM (except for female lambs) muscle weights than the lambs in LBW group (p < 0.01). However, apart from the texture of LTL and ST muscles, no significant differences in meat quality parameters were observed among the treatment groups (p > 0.05). Notably, the birth weight of lambs did not impart a discernible effect on the total number and metabolic activity of muscle fibres in LTL, ST, and SM muscles. Nonetheless, a noteworthy distinction in the fibre area of Type I fibres in the LTL muscle of male lambs (LBW: 30.4 ± 8.9, MBW: 29.1 ± 7.3 and HBW; 77.3 ± 15.4) and in the ST muscle of female lambs (LBW: 44.1 ± 8.1, MBW: 38.8 ± 7.7 and HBW: 36.9 ± 7.1) were evident among the birth weight groups (p < 0.05). The study also found that the mean fat thickness values of eye muscles in Karayaka lambs, as obtained by ultrasonic tests, were below the typical range for sheep. In synthesis, the outcomes of this study underscore the considerable impact of birth weight on slaughtered and carcass weights, emphasizing the positive association between higher birth weights and enhanced carcass yield. Remarkably, despite these pronounced effects on carcass traits, the birth weight did not demonstrate a statistically significant influence on meat quality or overall muscle fibre characteristics, except for the area of Type I fibres in the LTL muscle. This nuanced understanding contributes valuable insights into the intricate relationship between birth weight and various physiological and carcass parameters in Karayaka lambs undergoing post-weaning fattening.

Estimates of (co)variance components for direct and maternal effects on birth weight of Karayaka lambs.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for birth weight of Karayaka lambs by separating direct genetic, maternal genetic, and maternal permanent environmental effects. Records of 1013 Karayaka lambs born between 2005 and 2010 were analyzed. Six different animal models were examined, all including direct additive genetic variance and various combinations of genetic and environmental maternal effects. The most appropriate model was chosen based on log-likelihood ratio tests. Since model 1 had the smallest likelihood value, it was chosen as the best model in this study. Depending on the model, direct heritability varied from 0.37 to 0.55 and maternal heritability ranged from 0.08 to 0.20 for birth weight.

Fattening performance, slaughter, carcass and meat quality traits of Karayaka lambs.

In order to verify the fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics and to investigate the changes in some meat quality traits of Karayaka lambs weaned at 3 months of age, 39 lambs (23 males and 16 females) were used as experimental animals. The lambs were fed a concentrate mixture and alfalfa hay (120 and 168 g crude protein and 2,700 and 1,951 ME/kg, respectively) for a period of 60 days of fattening period. Male lambs were superior (p < 0.05) to female lambs in terms of daily weight gain (270.4 vs. 205.4 g; SEM = 9.46), hot and cold carcass weights (16.7 and 16.0 vs. 14.1 and 13.4 kg, respectively; SEM = 0.35), intra-muscular fat ratios (1.9% vs. 2.5%; SEM = 0.12) and dripping loss of semitendinosus muscle 3 days postmortem (8.1% vs. 10.2%; SEM = 0.36). The relative weights of some organs, the meat quality traits (pH, cooking loss, shear force, CIELab colour characteristics) and proximate analyses (dry matter, protein and ash) of longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscle samples from lambs were not affected by sex (p > 0.05). Dripping loss, pH and colour characteristics were affected by storage time (p < 0.05). These results provide a basic understanding of performance and meat quality of Karayaka sheep which may have potentials in improving sheep production using an indigenous sheep breed in Turkey.

Meat production characteristics of Turkish native breeds: II. meat quality, fatty acid, and cholesterol profile of lambs.

The study conducted a comparison of meat quality, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol amounts of longissimus dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles of male lambs born to Turkish indigenous sheep breeds raised under intensive conditions. A total of 36 singleton male lambs were used as experimental animals of the Akkaraman (A), Morkaraman (M), Awassi (IW), Karayaka (KR), Kivircik (KV), and Middle Anatolian Merino (MAM) pure breeds. All lambs were fed the same diet until they reached a target weight of 40 kg weight. After the feeding period, all lambs were slaughtered and LD and ST muscle samples were collected to determine meat quality traits, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol amounts. Although there were no significant differences between lambs in terms of the fatty acid profile of LD and ST muscles, KR lambs had a higher cholesterol content in both muscles in comparison with the lambs born to other breeds ( p < 0.05 ). While water-holding capacity, dripping loss, pH, color, dry matter, ash, and intramuscular fat values of ST muscles showed differences among breeds ( p < 0.05 ), dripping loss, pH, cooking loss, color, dry matter, ash, protein, and intramuscular fat values of LD muscles differed between breeds ( p < 0.05 ). The data of the current study indicated that meat quality characteristics and cholesterol contents of Turkish indigenous breeds showed differences, and these differences may be used for alternative lamb meat production for the consumer.

Introducing the Karayaka sheep breed with its traits and influencing factors.

This study was planned to express the detailed traits of Karayaka sheep reared in Tokat province, also influencing factors on the traits were evaluated. While year effect was significant on 8 weeks weight, scanning weight, fat depth and muscle area, all the evaluated traits including birth weight and muscle depth were significantly affected by season (p < 0.05). Dam age was significant on birth weight (p < 0.05). Birth weight and 8 week weight were significantly affected by sex and birth type. Sex effect has been appeared on muscle depth while birth type effect has been detected on scanning weight (p < 0.05). While the strongest phenotypic correlation coefficient was detected between muscle depth and muscle area, the weakest ones were found between birth weight and scanning traits.