Acta Scientiarum: Animal Sciences (Oct 2007)
Desempenho, características de carcaça e composição química de diferentes cortes comerciais de novilhas mestiças não-gestantes ou gestantes terminadas em confinamento = Performance, carcass characteristics and chemical composition of nonpregnant or pregnant heifers finished in feedlot
Abstract
Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da gestação sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça e composição físico-química de cinco cortes de novilhas mestiças em confinamento. Utilizaram-secinco novilhas gestantes e cinco não-gestantes com 20 meses e peso corporal de 323 kg. Não houve diferença (p > 0,05) para peso final, ganho médio diário, consumo, conversão alimentar, peso de carcaça, rendimento de carcaça, área de olho de lombo e espessura de gordura de cobertura entre os tratamentos. O acém das novilhas gestantes teve maiores teores (p This work was carried out to study the effect of pregnancy on performance, carcass characteristics and chemical composition of crossbred heifers in comparison with nonpregnant heifers finished in feedlot. Five pregnant heifers and five nonpregnant heifers, 20 months old and with initial live weight of 327 kg were used. The initial live weight, final weight, average daily gain, intake, feed conversion, carcass weight, hot carcass dressing, Longissimus area and fat thickness (4.21 mm) did not differ (p > 0.05) between treatments. Pregnant heifers chuck showed higher levels (p < 0.05) of moisture and ash, and lower levels (p < 0.05) of total fat, than nonpregnant heifers. Pregnant heifers rump showed higher levels (p < 0.05) of moisture. Nonpregnant heifers striploin had the highest level (p < 0.05) of moisture. The fatty acid profile of pregnant heifers chuck had the highest levels (p < 0.05) of 14:0, 16:1n7 and 20:4n6, but showed the lowest level (p < 0.05) of 17:0. Nonpregnant heifers topside showed the highest levels (p < 0.05) of 18:1t11 and 18:2c9t1. Pregnant heifers chuck showed the highest level (p < 0.05) of PUFA. Nonpregnant heifers had higher levels of n-6 fatty acids than pregnant heifers. The striploin of pregnant heifers showed higher percentage (p < 0.05) of n-3.
