Use of serial ultrasound measures in the study of growth- and breed-related changes of ultrasonic measurements and relationship with carcass measurements in lean cattle breeds |
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Authors: | F Peña A Molina M Juárez F Requena C Avilés R Santos V Domenech A Horcada |
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Affiliation: | 1. Departamento de Producción Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Ctra. Madrid—Cádiz Km. 396-a, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;2. Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Ctra. Madrid—Cádiz Km. 396-a, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;3. Lacombe Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 6000 C&E Trail, T4L1W1 Lacombe, Alberta, Canada;4. Gen-ova Veterinaria Co. Córdoba, Spain;5. Cooperativa COVAP, C/Mayor, 56, 14400 Pozoblanco, Córdoba, Spain;6. Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Universidad de Sevilla, Ctra. Utrera km. 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain |
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Abstract: | The growth and breed-related changes of rib and rump characteristics in lean beef cattle and the ability of ultrasound to predict carcass traits were investigated. Three hundred bulls from three breeds were scanned monthly (6–7 times) using real-time ultrasound with final scans taken < 7 days prior to harvest. The rib and rump ultrasound measurements, except intramuscular fat content, increased (P < 0.05) with live weight. Breed affected most of traits. The 12th rib ultrasound measurements showed a weak to high positive correlation (0.131 to 0.976, P > 0.05 to P < 0.001) with 12th rib measurements in the carcass. Regression equations developed with the ultrasound measurements, explained 97% of the variation in longissimus muscle area, 88% of the variation in fat thickness and 57% of the variation in intramuscular fat content. When last ultrasound scan measurements were excluded from prediction equations, the R2 significantly decreased. Ultrasound measures “in vivo” are viable options for assessing carcass attributes of lean cattle. |
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Keywords: | Beef Gluteus medius depth Marbling Rib fat thickness Rump fat depth Ultrasonography |
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