Muscle fiber type, fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), enzyme activities (citrate synthase (CS), 3-hydroxyacetyl Co A dehydrogenase (3HAD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and phosphofructokinase (PFK)) and glycogen content were analyzed in the M. iliotibialis cranialis (ITC), M. iliotibialis lateralis, M.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis preliminary study investigated the provision of shade on heat stress indicators of South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) and Dormer lambs shortly after birth, during the autumn 2017 and 2018 lambing seasons. Newborn lambs were assessed to determine whether welfare, as assessed by respiratory response and rectal temperature as heat stress indicators, survival and early growth benefitted from the provision of shade. Groups consisting of 4-17 pregnant SAMM and Dormer ewes were randomly allocated to 5-10 paddocks with natural shade from trees and 5-9 paddocks that were directly in the sun with no shade available.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe influence of varying dietary protein and energy levels on the relative growth of body components of ostriches was evaluated over a 244-day growth period. One hundred twenty 1-day-old ostrich chicks were randomly assigned to 15 pens. Three varying energy regimes (high, medium and low) and five protein levels (1-5) were supplied ad libitum to each pen.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study compared the carcass characteristics of ram and ewe lambs from South African wool, dual-purpose, meat, and fat-tailed sheep types, reared to produce premium lamb carcasses. The lambs were reared on a feedlot diet (10.41 MJ ME/kg feed and 19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInformation on feather and skin growth is important for the development of mathematical optimisation nutritional models for ostriches. Ostriches (n = 65) were subjected to a four-stage formulated growth diet programme (pre-starter, starter, grower and finisher), with declining protein and energy content. Nine birds were weighed, stunned, exsanguinated, defeathered, skinned and eviscerated at 1, 54, 84, 104, 115, 132 and 287 days of age.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe palatability and chemical composition of Longissimus lumborum muscles from 24 Boer goat castrates (eight goats per treatment), finished on diets varying in energy content (9.7, 10.2 and 10.
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