Effects of free ferulic acid on productive performance, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics of feedlot finishing ewe lambs.
The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of free ferulic acid (FA) supplementation on productive performance, some blood metabolite concentrations, and carcass characteristics of ewe lambs finished in a feedlot. Dorper×Pelibuey ewe lambs (n=20; BW=28.5±0.5 kg; age=5 mo) were individually housed in pens and assigned under a randomized complete block design to the following dietary treatments (n=10): daily feeding without (control) or with 300 mg of FA/animal. The feedlot feeding period lasted 34 d and then all ewe lambs were slaughtered. Free FA did not affect (P≥0.16) BW gain, ADG, DMI, and G:F during the first 17 d, but BW gain (P=0.10) and ADG (P=0.10) tended to decrease for FA from d 17 to 34 and from d 1 to 34 without affecting (P≥0.16) DMI and G:F in ewe lambs. Serum concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, and urea were not affected (P>0.05) by FA at d 1, 17, and 34 of the feeding period. Carcass characteristics were not affected (P>0.05) by FA. Stomach percentage tended (P=0.08) to decrease and leg yields increased (P=0.02) for FA. Other noncarcass components and wholesale cut yields were not affected (P>0.10) by FA. In conclusion, FA supplementation did not improve productive performance, metabolic status, and carcass characteristics of ewe lambs receiving a feedlot finishing diet.
Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali B.C., México, 21705.
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Macías-Cruz
Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali B.C., México, 21705.
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Perard
Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali B.C., México, 21705.
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Vicente
Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali B.C., México, 21705.
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Álvarez
Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali B.C., México, 21705.
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Torrentera-Olivera
Centro de Investigación en Alimentos y Desarrollo A.C., Hermosillo Sonora, México, 83000.
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González-Ríos
Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces 88003.
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Soto-Navarro
UAEM Temascaltepec, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Estado de México, 51300.
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Rojo
Unidad Regional Universitaria de Zonas Áridas, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Durango, México, 35230.
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Meza-Herrera
Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali B.C., México, 21705 lar62@hotmail.com.
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Avendaño-Reyes
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D008460:Meat; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D011506:Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D014508:Urea; D002784:Cholesterol; C004999:ferulic acid
growth rate; hair breed; phenolic compounds; sheep; wholesale cut