The relationship of ultrasound measurements taken from two different anatomical regions to carcass traits and chemical composition of the carcass in Karayaka lambs

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between carcass traits and chemical compositions. Using ultrasound scanning from two different anatomic regions, the study involved estimating carcass traits and chemical composition in male Karayaka lambs. Measurements were taken of skin thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, muscle depth, muscle width, and muscle area between the 12th and 13th thoracic vertebrae (12-13T) and 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae (3-4L) using real-time ultrasound in 15 six-month-old lambs. The lambs were slaughtered after the ultrasound measurements, and then their warm and cold carcass weights; dressing percentage; bone, meat, and fat amounts; and chemical composition in terms of crude protein, fat, dry matter, and ash ratios were determined. The subcutaneous fat thickness measured with ultrasound from both locations had a high correlation with live weight, warm and cold carcass weight, carcass bone (P < 0.01), and carcass meat (P < 0.05) weights. The adjusted R-2 in the regression equation determined to estimate carcass traits using ultrasound yielded values of 50%-94% at 12-13T and 49%-83% at 3-4L (P < 0.05). As a result, it was determined that carcass traits were related to ultrasound measurements and that it is possible to predict carcass traits using live weight and ultrasonic skin thickness, muscle width, and muscle area.