title: Effect of genotype, housing system and hay supplementation on carcass traits and meat quality of growing rabbits.
abstract: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of genotype (Pannon Large × Pannon Ka/Large/or Hungarian Giant × Pannon Ka/Hung), housing system (Cage or small Pen) and hay supplementation (Pellet without or with Hay/P+Hay/) on carcass and meat (Longissimus dorsi/LD/ and hind leg/HL/) quality of growing rabbits. Large rabbits showed higher carcass weights, as well as higher fatness and meatiness compared to Hung rabbits. Caged rabbits were heavier, with higher prevalence of the mid part of the carcass, and showed higher fatness and lower meat toughness than Penned rabbits. Caged rabbits meat was richer in MUFA, but poorer in PUFA and Σ n-6 FA. Hay supplementation impaired carcass weight, carcass fatness, L* and a* color, and lipids content. P+Hay increased the HL meat content of C18:3 n-6 and C20:5 n-3 FA. Overall results offer further information on how alternative breeds, housing systems and feeding strategies can affect carcass traits and meat quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy. Electronic address: antonella.dallezotte@unipd.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalle Zotte
authors.affiliation: Kaposvár University, Faculty of Economic Sciences, 40., Guba Sándor Str., H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szendrő
authors.affiliation: Kaposvár University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 40., Guba Sándor Str., H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zs
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gerencsér
authors.affiliation: Kaposvár University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 40., Guba Sándor Str., H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary; Olivia Ltd, Mizse 94, 6050 Lajosmizse, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zs
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szendrő
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cullere
authors.affiliation: Olivia Ltd, Mizse 94, 6050 Lajosmizse, Hungary.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Odermatt
authors.affiliation: Kaposvár University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 40., Guba Sándor Str., H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Radnai
authors.affiliation: Kaposvár University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 40., Guba Sándor Str., H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary.
authors.forename: Zs
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Matics
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001947:Breeding; D003116:Color; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005838:Genotype; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D011817:Rabbits; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Breed; Carcass traits; Feeding; Housing; Meat quality; Rabbit