Diet selection and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deposition in lambs as affected by restricted time at pasture.
Sci Rep
; 7(1): 15641, 2017 Nov 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29142278
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the effects of restricted grazing time on forage selectivity and meat fatty acid deposition of lambs compared to a traditional grazing system. Results showed that the animals preferred to graze pasture species that were more palatable and lower in fibre, while demonstrating a partial preference for species with high protein levels. Leymus chinensis was more preferentially selected by lambs grazing pasture for shorter periods than longer periods. Lambs that grazed for 4 h per day had a high LNA (α-linolenic acid) intake. The accumulation of LNA and its elongation products in tissue was closely related to the LNA level in diet. Therefore, allowing lambs to graze for at least 4 h per day resulted in a meat fatty acid profile that is richer in health-promoting fatty acids. In particular, the highest DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) was observed in meat from lambs which grazed pasture for 4-h versus 8- and 12-h. It can be concluded that, in grassland systems, a healthier meat fatty acid profile for humans and the potential for better pasture management is achieved by limiting the grazing of lambs to 4 h per day rather than grazing over longer time periods.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ovinos
/
Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3
/
Ração Animal
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Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Animal
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article