Changes in carcass composition and meat quality when selecting rabbits for growth rate

Pascual, M.; Pla, M.

doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2007.04.009

Cited by 49 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Long-term selection for growth rate may have influenced myofiber metabolism (Bianospino et al, 2008) and, consequently, meat color, increasing lightness and decreasing redness. Line differences with respect to meat color traits have been reported, especially when selection for fast growth was practiced (Ramírez et al, 2004;Pascual and Pla, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Differences in carcass and meat quality traits exist among genetic groups or strains (Lukefahr et al, 1983;Dalle Zotte and Ouhayoun, 1998;Gomé z et al, 1998) and have arisen as a consequence of intensive selection for growth rate (Piles et al, 2000;Ramírez et al, 2004;Pascual and Pla, 2007). Rearing systems (Dalle Zotte et al, 2009) and stress factors, such as duration of transport and stocking density during transport, (Lambertini et al, 2006;María et al, 2006) have also been related to changes in meat quality traits in rabbits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Carcass and meat quality traits of rabbits under heat stress

Zeferino

Komiyama

Fernandes

et al. 2013

Animal

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Rabbits are very sensitive to heat stress because they have difficulty eliminating excess body heat. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of heat stress on slaughter weight, dressing percentage and carcass and meat quality traits of rabbits from two genetic groups. Ninety-six weaned rabbits were used: half were from the Botucatu genetic group and half were crossbreds between New Zealand White sires and Botucatu does. They were assigned to a completely randomized design in a 2 3 3 factorial arrangement (two genetic groups and three ambient temperatures: 188C, 258C and 308C) and kept under controlled conditions in three environmental chambers from 5 to 10 weeks of age. Slaughter took place at 10 weeks, on 2 consecutive days. Meat quality measurements were made in the longissimus muscle. Actual average ambient temperature and relative humidity in the three chambers were 18.48C and 63.9%, 24.48C and 80.2% and 29.68C and 75.9%, respectively. Purebred rabbits were heavier at slaughter and had heavier commercial and reference carcasses than crossbreds at 308C; however, no differences between genetic groups for these traits were found at lower temperatures. No genetic group 3 ambient temperature interaction was detected for any other carcass or meat quality traits. The percentages of distal parts of legs, skin and carcass forepart were higher in crossbred rabbits, indicating a lower degree of maturity at slaughter in this group. The percentage of thoracic viscera was higher in the purebreds. Lightness of the longissimus muscle was higher in the purebreds, whereas redness was higher in the crossbreds. Slaughter, commercial and reference carcass weights and the percentages of thoracic viscera, liver and kidneys were negatively related with ambient temperature. Commercial and reference carcass yields, and the percentage of distal parts of legs, on the other hand, had a positive linear relationship with ambient temperature. Meat redness and yellowness diminished as ambient temperature increased, whereas cooking loss was linearly elevated with ambient temperature. Meat color traits revealed paler meat in the purebreds, but no differences in instrumental texture properties and water-holding capacity between genetic groups. Purebred rabbits were less susceptible to heat stress than the crossbreds. Heat stress resulted in lower slaughter and carcass weights and proportional reductions of organ weights, which contributed to a higher carcass yield. Moreover, it exerted a small, but negative, effect on meat quality traits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carcass and meat quality traits of rabbits under heat stress

Zeferino

Komiyama

Fernandes

et al. 2013

Animal

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“…In consequence, animals from these paternal lines selected for growth rate tend to show higher fatness level (Larzul et al, 2005;Pascual and Pla, 2007). Although there is evidence of the importance of body reserves for reproduction, excessive fatness has also been related to negative effects on reproduction .…”

Section: Selection For Growth Ratementioning

confidence: 99%

Resources allocation in reproductive rabbit does: a review of feeding and genetic strategies for suitable performance

Pascual

Savietto²,

Cervera

et al. 2013

World Rabbit Sci.

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This article reviews how frequent feeding and selection programmes can affect resource allocation in rabbit does during reproduction. The consequences of these programmes and the central role of body condition for suitable female performance are analysed considering genetic level, health and welfare. Future reproductive potential of reproductive rabbit females is decided before first partum. There is enough evidence of a possible threshold for the rabbit female birth weight to reach the beginning of reproductive life in a suitable body condition to maximise their future reproductive potential. The moment of first mating could be identified as the last of the 'pure' data on the animal, a sign of the animal soma that is probably related to its productive potential. An adequate feeding system during rearing and first pregnancy is relevant for the reproductive performance of rabbit females in the short and long term. The body condition of females changes during the reproductive cycle and throughout their reproductive life according to their genetically determined level. The problems arise when the animals are forced to diverge from this appropriate level, increasing susceptibility to disease, other stress factors and eventual failure. Negative energy balances detected during lactation do not seem to have the strength of those observed in late pregnancy. Genetic selection for litter size at weaning has increased prolificacy, but also the ability to obtain resources without compromising the survival of rabbit females. However, it could also have increased the susceptibility of animals to the environment, focusing more on the maternal investment in the future litter rather than on the current one under restricted conditions to maximise their fitness. Rabbit does selected for reproductive longevity have a greater soma, which enables them to better cope with the possible productive challenges. There is also evidence that they have greater plasticity in using their soma, making them more robust to overcome demanding situations. In addition, there is evidence of a possible improvement of immune system modulation in such robust animals.

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“…Commercial rabbit meat is usually produced by a three-way cross involving crossbred females mated to males from a sire line. The crossbred females are obtained by mating males and females from two female lines selected for litter size, while the sire lines are generally selected for growth rate, carcass yield, and meat quality (Baselga, 2004;Pascual and Pla, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%