title: Effect of intramuscular injections of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate on growth performance and extracellular matrix of growing lambs.
abstract: The effect of intramuscular injections of vitamin E on growth, carcass traits, intramuscular collagen (IMC) characteristics and decorin of growing lambs was studied. A total of 24 15-day-old Ile de France suckling male lambs were divided into two groups and weekly intramuscular injections of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate (control group, 0 IU; Vitamin E treatment, 150 IU) were given until the lambs were 64 days old. Lambs were individually weighted at 15, 29, 43, 57 days of age and at slaughter (71 days old). Dry matter intake and average daily weight gain were recorded. Hot and cold carcass weights were recorded and dressing percentages were calculated after dressing and chilling (2°C to 4°C for 24 h). Carcass shrink losses were calculated as well. Longissimus muscle (LM) pH and area were measured. The pelvic limb was removed and its percentage was calculated based on cold carcass weight. IMC and decorin analyses were assessed on LM and semimembranosus muscle (SM). DL-α-tocopheryl acetate treatment reduced (P<0.05) collagen maturity and increased (P<0.05) decorin in both LM and SM muscles of growing lambs, while it did not affect IMC content. In addition, vitamin E did not influence growth, carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass shrink losses and area of LM but decreased (P<0.05) the pelvic limb percentage. The LM pH values were higher (P<0.05) in vitamin group than in control group. Furthermore, different IMC characteristics between the muscles (P<0.01) were apparent. Multiple intramuscular injections of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate influence extracellular matrix in lambs, which could affect meat tenderness.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Agricultural,Environmental and Food Sciences,University of Molise,Via F. De Sanctis snc,86100 Campobasso,Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maiorano
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Agricultural,Environmental and Food Sciences,University of Molise,Via F. De Sanctis snc,86100 Campobasso,Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilkanowska
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Agricultural,Environmental and Food Sciences,University of Molise,Via F. De Sanctis snc,86100 Campobasso,Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavaniello
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Agricultural,Environmental and Food Sciences,University of Molise,Via F. De Sanctis snc,86100 Campobasso,Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Memmo
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Emergency and Organ Transplant (D.E.T.O.),Section of Clinical Veterinary and Animal Production,University of Bari Aldo Moro,Via G. Amendola 165/A,70126 Bari,Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Marzo
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Agricultural,Environmental and Food Sciences,University of Molise,Via F. De Sanctis snc,86100 Campobasso,Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gambacorta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development*; D015430:Weight Gain; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol
keywords: decorin; growth; intramuscular collagen; lambs; vitamin E