title: Effects of suckling length (45, 75 and 120 d) and rearing type on cortisol level, carcass and meat quality characteristics in Kivircik lambs.
abstract: Forty lambs were used to investigate effects of suckling length and rearing type (single and twin) on welfare parameters, carcass and meat quality characteristics. SC-45 and SC-75 lambs were weaned at 45-d and 75-d of age, respectively, whereas SC-120 lambs were not weaned until slaughter age of 120-d. The elevated cortisol concentration due to weaning stress returned to pre-weaning level at 2-d after weaning. SC-120 lambs had higher daily gain, plasma cortisol and glucose levels at exsanguination, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage and fatness score than weaned lambs. Suckling length did not influence instrumental meat quality characteristics, except shear force. SC-45 lambs had tougher meat than other groups according to instrumental and sensory analyses. SC-75 and SC-120 lambs had similar meat shear force value and sensory scores. Single lambs had higher daily gain, and greater scores for carcass characteristics and sensory evaluation, and lower pH(24) and shear force than twin lambs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Istanbul University, Veterinary Faculty, 34320 Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey. bekiz@istanbul.edu.tr
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ekiz
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ergul Ekiz
authors.forename: Hulya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yalcintan
authors.forename: Omur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kocak
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D004032:Diet; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood*; D013649:Taste; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006854:Hydrocortisone