RT Journal T1 RELATIONSHIP OF ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENTS AND CARCASS TRAITS IN PELIBUEY EWES A1 E. Aguilar-Hernandez A1 A. J. Chay-Canul A1 A. Gomez-Vazquez A1 J. G. Magaña-Monforte A1 F. G. Ríos-Rincón A1 A. Cruz-Hernandez JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JO JAPS SN 1018-7081 VO 26 IS 2 SP 325 OP 330 YR 2016 FD 2016/04/01 DO DOI NA AB

Twenty Pelibuey ewes were used to assess the relationship between ultrasound measurements (USM) and carcass traits. Animals were slaughtered, and the left half of each carcass was divided into five cuts, and then each cut was dissected into muscle, fat and bone. The subcutaneous fat thickness and the Longissimus dorsi muscle area were determined 24 h pre-mortem using a ultrasound equipment, the USM were taken between the 12ª and 13ª thoracic vertebra (TF and TLD) and between 3ª and 4ª lumbar vertebra (LF and LLD). The relationships among USM and carcass traits were estimated by regression. The regression equations using only the USM have a R2 that ranged from 0.22 to 0.45. When including the BW in the equations, the R2 was from 0.52 to 0.55 for muscle, 0.51 to 0.53 for fat and 0.47 for bone. The best equations were: CM (kg) = 0.18(±0.03)×BW +0.38(±0.17)×TLDA; CF (kg)= -1.66(±0.79*)+ 0.09(±0.03**)×BW + 0.38(±0.19*)×TFT -0.11(±0.09ns)×TLDA and CB (kg)= 2.44(±0.49)***+ 0.06(±0.01***)×BW+ -0.23(±0.11*)×TFT. In conclusion, it is possible to predict the amount of muscle, fat and bone in the carcasses of adult Pelibuey ewes using USM and BW, nonetheless, other alternatives, should be considered to improve the accuracy of predictions.

K1 Pelibuey ewes, carcass composition; ultrasound measurements PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2016-JAPS-44