title: Effects of oral vitamin D(3) supplementation and supplement withdrawal on the accumulation of magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D in the serum, liver, and muscle tissue and subsequent carcass and meat quality of Bos indicus influenced cattle.
abstract: Bos indicus crossbred cattle (n=79) were fed vitamin D(3) (0 or 3 million IU/hd/d) for 5d. Afterwards, half of each group was slaughtered immediately, while half was fed, without supplementation, for 7d before processing. Serum calcium concentration was increased (P<0.05) in cattle after supplement removal, but not immediately following supplementation. This also was observed in the M. longissimus lumborum and M. triceps brachii, but not in the M. semitendinosus. Liver biopsy vitamin D(3) concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in supplemented cattle immediately following supplementation, but were not different from controls after supplement removal. Vitamin D(3) did not affect tenderness at supplement removal day 0, but increased the tenderness of the M. longissimus lumborum and M. semitendinosus at supplement removal day 7. Vitamin D(3) supplementation improves muscle tenderness and may be more effective when supplementation is ceased 7d before slaughter, with minimum food safety concerns.
authors: Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, Meat Science Section, 2471 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA.
authors: N C
authors: NC
authors: Tipton
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: King
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Paschal
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Hale
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Savell