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Prediction of carcass composition in meat breeds of sheep using computer tomography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

M.J. Young ,
R.M. Lewis ,
K.A. McLean ,
N.A.A. Robson ,
J. Fraser ,
J. Fitzsimons ,
J. Donbavand  and
G. Simm
M.J. Young
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland
R.M. Lewis
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland
K.A. McLean
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland
N.A.A. Robson
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland
J. Fraser
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland
J. Fitzsimons
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland
J. Donbavand
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland
G. Simm
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, Scotland
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Extract

Ultrasound imaging has proved a very useful tool for the modern animal breeder wishing to improve carcass composition. However, more accurate imaging technologies, such as X-ray Computer Tomography (CT), could accelerate genetic improvement of carcass composition, and widen the range of traits assessed (e.g. by considering deeper tissues). Carcass quality is assuming more importance for breeders but quality traits are difficult to assess objectively and accurately in live sheep. The present study was designed to identify a few CT scan positions from which accurate prediction of dissected tissue weights could be made in meat sheep.

One hundred Suffolk lambs (50 of each sex) were CT scanned and slaughtered at 14, 18, 22 or 26 weeks of age (59±16kg LW, range 20-96kg). Each animal was scanned at seven sites; three in the gigot (ISC, caudal ischium; FEM, mid-shaft of femur; HIP, hip joint), two in the loin (LV5 and LV2, 5th and 2nd lumbar vertebrae) and two in the chest/ shoulder (TV8 and TV6, 8th and 6th thoracic vertebrae).

Type
Programme
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1999 , 1999 , pp. 43
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1999

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References

Simm, G.; Amer, P.R.; Pryce, J.E. 1997. Returns from genetic improvement of sheep and beef cattle in Britain. Animal Science Research report, SAC, 1997. pp12–16.Google Scholar
Simm, G.; Dingwall, W.S. 1989. Selection indices for lean meat production in sheep. Livestock production science 21: 223–233.Google Scholar