Meta-analytical study of the effect of fibers in neutral detergent and acidic detergent in the diet of finishing pigs / Estudo meta-analítico do efeito das fibras em detergente neutro e detergente ácido na dieta de suínos em terminação

ABSTRACT: Performance and carcass traits of finishing pigs fed diets containing different levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were evaluated through meta-analysis. The database was constructed using information from 24 papers, 113 treatments, and 2507 animals. Correlation and variance analyze were performed. The weight gain of the pigs showed a negative correlation (P < 0.01) with the dietary NDF content and with NDF consumption. The feed conversion ratio showed a positive correlation (P < 0.01) with the inclusion of ADF in the test ingredient and with the consumption of NDF and ADF. The backfat thickness showed a negative correlation (P < 0.05) with the NDF content in the diets. The analysis of variance showed that the performance of finishing pigs was not influenced (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of ingredients with high NDF content. Likewise, the inclusion of ingredients with high ADF content did not alter (P > 0.05) feed intake and feed conversion ratio. However, the use of ingredients with a high ADF content reduced (P < 0.05) by 4% the weight gain of the pigs. The use of ingredients with high concentrations of NDF and ADF negatively affect the weight gain and feed conversion of finishing pigs; however, the ADF-related fraction has a positive relationship with the reduction of the backfat thickness.

RESUMO: O desempenho e as características de carcaça de suínos em terminação alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) foram avaliados por meio de meta-análise. O banco de dados foi construído com informações de 24 artigos, 113 tratamentos e 2.507 animais. Análises de correlação e variância foram realizadas. O ganho de peso dos suínos apresentou correlação negativa (P < 0,01) com o teor de FDN da dieta e com o consumo de FDN. A taxa de conversão alimentar apresentou correlação positiva (P < 0,01) com a inclusão de FDA presente nos ingredientes testados e com o consumo de FDN e FDA. A espessura do toucinho apresentou correlação negativa (P < 0,05) com o teor de FDN das dietas. A análise de variância mostrou que o desempenho dos suínos em terminação não foi influenciado (P > 0,05) pela inclusão de ingredientes com alto teor de FDN. Da mesma forma, a inclusão de ingredientes com alto teor de FDA não alterou (P > 0,05) o consumo de ração e a conversão alimentar. Porém, o uso de ingredientes com alto teor de FDA reduziu (P < 0,05) em 4% o ganho de peso dos suínos. O uso de ingredientes com altas concentrações de FDN e FDA afetam negativamente o ganho de peso e conversão alimentar de suínos em terminação, porém fração relacionada a FDA tem relação positiva com a redução da espessura de toucinho.

El cromo-levadura y la ractopamina afectan el perfil de ácidos grasos y la calidad de la carne en cerdos / Chromium-yeast and ractopamine affect the profile of fatty acids and quality of meat in pigs

RESUMEN Los consumidores de cerdo demandan productos bajos en grasa y sin aditivos que afecten la salud humana. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del cromo-levadura o ractopamina adicionadas a la dieta de cerdos, sobre el rendimiento, las características de la canal y la calidad de la carne. Se distribuyeron 20 cerdos de manera aleatoria en cuatro tratamientos: sin adición de cromo-levadura, ni ractopamina (T1); 10ppm de ractopamina (T2); 0,2ppm de cromo-levadura (T3) y 0,4ppm de cromo- levadura (T4). Se determinó el espesor de la grasa dorsal al inicio, al intermedio y al final del estudio. El rendimiento en canal caliente y fría se estimó en el frigorífico. Muestras de la cabeza del lomo fueron tomadas para evaluar pH, resistencia al corte, goteo, temperatura, retención de agua y contenido de ácidos grasos. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los datos y de Kruskal-Wallis, para determinar el efecto del tratamiento sobre las variables medidas. Ninguna suplementación afectó la ganancia de peso, peso final, conversión alimenticia, consumo alimento, rendimiento en canal caliente, rendimiento canal fría y grasa dorsal (P>0,05). La resistencia al corte aumentó con la ractopamina, pero disminuyó con el cromo-levadura. Las pérdidas por goteo fueron significativas con 0,2ppm de cromo-levadura, pero no lo fueron con 0,4ppm de cromo-levadura o ractopamina. No se encontró efecto de la ractopamina sobre los ácidos grasos, pero sí del cromo-levadura. Tanto el cromo-levadura como la ractopamina modifican características de la carne, como la dureza y el perfil de ácidos grasos.

ABSTRACT The consumers of pork demand products low in fat and free of additives that affect the human health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chromium-yeast or ractopamine added to the diet of pigs on the performance, characteristics of the carcass and meat quality. Twenty pigs were randomized to four treatments: without the addition of chromium-yeast or ractopamine (T1); 10ppm of ractopamine (T2); 0.2ppm of chromium-yeast (T3) and 0.4ppm of chromium-yeast (T4). The backfat thickness was evaluated at the beginning, at the intermediate and at the end of the experiment. Hot carcass yield and cold carcass yield was evaluated in the slaughter house. Loin samples were taken to evaluate pH, shear force, drip loss, temperature, water retention and fatty acid composition. A descriptive analysis of the data and Kruskal-Wallis was carried out to determine the effect of the treatment on the measured variables. Any supplementation affected significantly weight gain, final weight, feed conversion, feed intake, hot carcass yield, cold carcass yield and backfat thinkness (P>0,05). Shear force increased with ractopamine, but decreased with chrome-yeast. Drip losses were significant at 0.2ppm chromium-yeast, but were not significant at 0.4ppm chromium-yeast or ractopamine. There was no effect of ractopamine on fatty acids, but with chromium-yeast was significant. Both chrome-yeast and ractopamine modify meat characteristics such as hardness and fatty acid profile.

Changes in adipose cells of Longissimus dorsi muscle in Iberian pigs raised under extensive conditions

ABSTRACT Twenty-four Iberian castrated male pigs were used to characterize and evaluate the effect of the duration of "Montanera" in the adipocytes size and its relation with the backfat thickness and intramuscular fat. The animals were fed under extensive conditions during 30, 60 and 90 days in the "Dehesa" before slaughtered. Carcass weight, percentage of intramuscular fat, thickness of backfat and its three layers and adipocytes size of the intramuscular fat were obtained. The group which expended 90 days on fattening obtained the highest adipocytes, with an area higher by a 50% than those that only expended 30 days. The differences in diameter and perimeter adipocyte were not as marked as area. A significant positive correlation between the diameter, area and perimeter of adipocyte with the backfat thickness were found. The fat cells in Iberian pig hypertrophy during the "montanera stage", being this increase significant from month to month in this period of fattening. Also, this adipocyte increase is correlated with the animal weight. The correlation between adipocyte size and inner layer of backfat shows that the inner layer obtained in live pig by ultrasound techniques could be a good marker of fat infiltration in pigs fattening in "montanera" system.

Genome-Wide Association Studies Associated with Backfat Thickness in Landrace and Yorkshire Pigs

Although pork quality traits are important commercially, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have not well considered Landrace and Yorkshire pigs worldwide. Landrace and Yorkshire pigs are important pork-providing breeds. Although quantitative trait loci of pigs are well-developed, significant genes in GWASs of pigs in Korea must be studied. Through a GWAS using the PLINK program, study of the significant genes in Korean pigs was performed. We conducted a GWAS and surveyed the gene ontology (GO) terms associated with the backfat thickness (BF) trait of these pigs. We included the breed information (Yorkshire and Landrace pigs) as a covariate. The significant genes after false discovery rate (<0.01) correction were AFG1L, SCAI, RIMS1, and SPDEF. The major GO terms for the top 5% of genes were related to neuronal genes, cell morphogenesis and actin cytoskeleton organization. The neuronal genes were previously reported as being associated with backfat thickness. However, the genes in our results were novel, and they included ZNF280D, BAIAP2, LRTM2, GABRA5, PCDH15, HERC1, DTNBP1, SLIT2, TRAPPC9, NGFR, APBB2, RBPJ, and ABL2. These novel genes might have roles in important cellular and physiological functions related to BF accumulation. The genes related to cell morphogenesis were NOX4, MKLN1, ZNF280D, BAIAP2, DNAAF1, LRTM2, PCDH15, NGFR, RBPJ, MYH9, APBB2, DTNBP1, TRIM62, and SLIT2. The genes that belonged to actin cytoskeleton organization were MKLN1, BAIAP2, PCDH15, BCAS3, MYH9, DTNBP1, ABL2, ADD2, and SLIT2.

Ractopamine concentration on the lipid profile of swine fat and meat / Concentração da ractopamina sobre o perfil lipídico da gordura e carne suína

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ractopamine concentrations on swine fat and meat lipid profiles. Ninety finishing barrows, initially weighing 71.9±4.4kg, were distributed in a randomized block design in three ractopamine concentrations (0, 10 and 20ppm) with fifteen replicates of two animals in each. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the lipid profiles of backfat and meat. The inclusion of ractopamine in the diet changed (P<0.05) α-linolenic acid and eicosatrienoic acid concentrations in the backfat but did not affect (P>0.05) any of the other fatty acids or indexes evaluated. In the meat, a significant effect (P<0.05) was observed on nine fatty acids evaluated, with a decrease (P<0.05) in lauric, myristic, and palmitic fatty acids, and an increase (P<0.05) in linoleic, γ-linolenic, dihomo-γ-linolenic, and eicosapentaenoic acid. Ractopamine also affected (P<0.05) the concentration of α-linolenic and arachidonic acid in the meat (P<0.05). The indexes evaluated were also affected (P<0.05). Addition of 10ppm decreased the saturated fatty acid concentration, atherogenic index, thrombogenic index and omega 6: omega 3, while it increased unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids concentrations. Ractopamine addition had less effect on the backfat than on the meat, and the 10ppm level improved the meat lipid profile.

RESUMO: Este estudo foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito das concentrações de ractopamina no perfil lipídico da gordura e carne suína. Utilizou-se 90 machos castrados, pesando inicialmente 71,9±4,4kg, foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso em três concentrações de ractopamina (0, 10 e 20ppm), com quinze repetições e dois animais por unidade experimental. Foi utilizada cromatografia gasosa para analisar os perfis lipídicos da gordura subcutânea e da carne. A inclusão de ractopamina na dieta alterou (P<0,05) os níveis dos ácidos graxos α-linolênico e eicosatrienoico na gordura subcutânea e não afetou (P>0,05) nenhum dos outros ácidos graxos ou índices avaliados. Em relação à gordura da carne, houve efeito (P<0,05) sobre nove ácidos graxos avaliados, com redução (P<0,05) dos ácidos graxos láurico, mirístico e palmítico, e aumento (P<0,05) do linoleico, γ-linolênico, dihomo-γ-linolênico e eicosapentaenoico. A ractopamina também afetou (P<0,05) a concentração do linolênico e araquidônico na carne. Os índices avaliados também foram afetados (P<0,05). A inclusão de 10ppm diminuiu a concentração dos ácidos graxos saturados, índice aterogênico, índice trombogênico e ômega 6: ômega 3, e aumentou a concentração dos ácidos graxos insaturados e poli-insaturados. A inclusão de ractopamina teve menor efeito na gordura subcutânea do que na carne, sendo que o nível de 10ppm melhorou o perfil lipídico da carne.

Evaluation of Digestible lysine levels in diets with high energy density for finishing pigs / Evaluación de niveles de lisina digestible en dietas con alta densidad energética para cerdos en finalización

Objective. To evaluate the effects of different levels of digestible lysine in diets with high energy density on productive performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. Materials and Methods. Seventy crossbred barrows (initial body weight of 83.36 kg) were used and allotted in a randomized block design with five treatments, seven replications and two pigs per experimental unit. Pigs were fed ad libitum with diets containing 3.5 kcal/kg of ME and five levels of digestible lysine (0.46, 0.52, 0.58, 0.64 and 0.70%) during four weeks. Final live weight (FLW), daily feed intake (DFI), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion (FC), daily lysine intake (DLI), and the amount of lysine per body weight gain (DLI/DWG), were evaluated. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from each pig to determine urea nitrogen concentration (UN) in serum and slaughtered to evaluate quantitative and qualitative carcass characteristics. Results. The FLW increased linearly (p<0.05).There were no differences among treatments for DFI, DWG, FC, carcass characteristics and UN. The DLI and DLI/DWG varied significantly (p<0.001) and increased linearly (p<0.001) with each lysine level. Pigs that consumed the limiting diet in lysine (0.46%) showed less DLI and DLI/DWG (p<0.001) than pigs fed the other diets. Conclusions. The amount of DLI/DWG increased with the evaluated levels of digestible lysine in diets with high energy density, without effects on productive performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs.

Objetivo. Evaluar los efectos de diferentes niveles de lisina digestible en dietas con alta densidad energética sobre el desempeño productivo y características de la canal de cerdos en finalización. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 70 cerdos (peso inicial de 83.36 kg) mestizos castrados, distribuidos en un diseño de bloques al azar con cinco tratamientos, siete repeticiones y dos cerdos por unidad experimental. Los cerdos fueron alimentados ad libitum con dietas que contenían 3.5 Mcal/kg de energía metabolizable y cinco niveles de lisina digestible (0.46, 0.52, 0.58, 0.64 y 0.70%) durante cuatro semanas. Se evaluaron: peso vivo final (PVF), consumo diario de alimento (CDA), ganancia diaria de peso (GDP), conversión de alimento (CA), consumo diario de lisina (CDLis) y la cantidad de lisina por peso ganado (CDLis/GDP). Al final de experimento, se extrajeron muestras de sangre de todos los cerdos para determinar la concentración de nitrógeno ureico (NU) en suero sanguíneo y luego se sacrificaron para evaluar las características cualitativas y cuantitativas de la canal. Resultados. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre tratamientos para CDA, GDP, CA, características de la canal y NU. El PVF incrementó linealmente (p<0.05). El CDLis y la CDLis/GDP variaron significativamente (p<0.001) e incrementaron linealmente (p<0.001) con cada nivel de lisina. Los cerdos que consumieron la dieta limitante en lisina (0.46%) mostraron menor consumo y CDLis/GDP (p<0.001) que los cerdos alimentados con las otras dietas. Conclusiones. Los niveles de lisina digestible evaluados en dietas con alta densidad energética aumentan la CDLis/GDP, sin efectos sobre el desempeño productivo y las características de la canal de los cerdos en finalización.

Inclusão de lisina digestível em dietas para leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade / Digestible lysine inclusion in diets for gilts from 60 to 100 days of age

Foi realizado um experimento utilizando-se 300 leitoas, com peso inicial de 25,00±0,54kg, para avaliar os efeitos da porcentagem de lisina digestível sobre o desempenho e a composição da carcaça de leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos 0,65; 0,75; 0,85; 0,95 e 1,05% de lisina digestível, cinco repetições e 12 animais por unidade experimental. Não se observou efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre o consumo de ração diário e o rendimento de carcaça das leitoas. A porcentagem de lisina da dieta influenciou o consumo de lisina digestível e o ganho de peso diário, que aumentaram de forma linear. O aumento na concentração de lisina digestível da dieta melhorou de forma linear a conversão alimentar e aumentou a quantidade de carne magra da carcaça. A porcentagem de lisina influenciou a espessura de toucinho das leitoas, que reduziu de forma quadrática até a porcentagem estimada de 0,87% de lisina digestível. A inclusão de 1,05% de lisina digestível na dieta, correspondente ao consumo de lisina digestível de 18,50g/dia, proporciona os melhores resultados de desempenho e quantidade de carne na carcaça de leitoas dos 60 aos 100 dias de idade.

The experiment was conducted with 300 gilts with initial weight of 25.00±0.54kg, from 60 to 100 days of age, to evaluate the effects of digestible lysine percentages on performance and carcass traits of the animals. The gilts were allotted in a randomized block design, with five treatments (percentages of digestible lysine), five replicates, and twelve animals per experimental unit. The treatments applied were 0.65; 0.75; 0.85; 0.95 and 1.05% of digestible lysine. No effects of treatments on the daily feed intake of the gilts were observed. A linear increase on digestible lysine intake as a result of increasing the concentration of digestible lysine in the diet was verified. The increase in dietary digestible lysine concentration resulted in a linear increase of daily weight gain. The increase of digestible lysine concentrations in the diet resulted in a linear improvement of feed conversion and in a linear increase in the amount of lean meat in the carcass. There was no effect of digestible lysine concentration on gilts' carcass traits. The amount of lean meat in the carcass of pigs increased linearly with the increase of the percentage of digestible lysine in the diets. The percentage of digestible lysine influenced the back fat thickness of the gilts which decreased quadratically up to 0.87% digestible lysine maximum response. The inclusion of 1.05% digestible lysine in the diet, corresponding to a daily intake of 18.5 g digestible lysine provides the greatest performance results and amount of lean meat in the carcass of gilts from 60 to 100 days of age.

Ácido linoléico conjugado, na nutrição de suínos, sobre desempenho zootécnico, características de carcaça e rendimento de cortes / Conjugated linoleic acid in swine nutrition on animal performance, carcass traits and cut yield

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da inclusão de ácido linoléico conjugado (CLA) em dietas de suínos dos 65kg de peso vivo até a fase de abate (100kg) sobre desempenho zootécnico, rendimento de corte e características de carcaça. Foram utilizados 200 suínos provenientes do cruzamento industrial JSR x PIC, em igual proporção de sexo. Os tratamentos foram compostos por dietas com (+CLA) e sem (-CLA) adição de CLA. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi completamente casualizado, sendo as características de carcaça avaliadas em esquema fatorial 2x2 (dieta x sexo). Os animais que consumiram CLA apresentaram melhor ganho de peso diário, redução da espessura de toucinho e maior rendimento de carne magra. A retenção de líquidos da carne não apresentou diferença em relação à dieta. Conclui-se, com base nos resultados, que é benéfica a inclusão de CLA na alimentação de suínos em terminação.

The proposal of this study was to evaluate the effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on swine diets, reared from 65kg body weight up to slaughter (100kg body weight) on animal performance, cut yields and carcass traits. Two hundred crossbred pigs (JSR x PIC) were used, half barrows and half gilts. The treatments were diets with (+CLA) and without (-CLA) supplementation of CLA. A completely randomly experimental design was used, and for the carcass traits and cut yield it was a 2x2 factorial design (diet and sex). Animals that consumed CLA presented a better average daily gain, decreased backfat thickness and a higher lean meat yield. Meat liquid retention capacity was not affected by diets. Based in these results it is beneficial the inclusion of CLA on finishing pigs feed.

Diferentes níveis de betaína sobre incidência de diarreia, desempenho, características de carcaça e parâmetros sanguíneos de suínos / Different levels of betaine on diarrhea incidence, performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of pigs

Foram utilizados 36 leitões desmamados aos 19 dias de idade, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, aonde foram avaliados os efeitos da adição de níveis crescentes de betaína (0,0%, 0,1%, 0,2% e 0,3%) na dieta sobre o desempenho na fase inicial, crescimento e terminação. Foram monitorados os índices de incidência de diarreia nos primeiros 14 dias da fase inicial e os parâmetros sanguíneos aos 20, 75 e 150 dias de idade, como também características de carcaça ao final do experimento. Não foi observado (P > 0,05) efeito da betaína sobre a incidência de diarreia. Foram verificadas diferenças significativas (P < 0,05) entre os tratamentos na fase de terminação, para ganho diário de peso e conversão alimentar. Foram observadas diferenças (P < 0,0001) entre os dias para os parâmetros sanguíneos analisados. Para espessura de toucinho (ET), foi verificada diferença significativa (P < 0,05) entre os tratamentos

Thirty six piglets weaned at 19 days of age were useddistributed in a randomized block design, were used to evaluate the effects of the addition of crescent levels of betaine (0,0%, 0,1%, 0,2% e 0,3%) in the diets on the performance in initial, growing and finishing phases. The indexes of diarrhea incidence were monitored in the first 14 days post–weaning; and the blood parameters at 20, 75, and 150 days of age, as well as the carcass characteristics at the end of the experiment. It was not observed (P > 0,05) effect of the betaine on the diarrhea incidence. Significative differences (P < 0.05) were verified among treatments in the finishing phase for daily weight gain and feed conversion. Differences (P < 0.0001) among the days to the blood parameters analysed were also observed. In regard to the backfat thickness, it was verified significative difference (P < 0.05) among the treatments.

Relación de medidas de composición corporal evaluadas invivo con ultrasonido con el peso de la canal en vacas Cebúde descarte / Relação das medidas de composição corporal avaliadas em vivo com ultra-som com opeso da carcaça em vaca zebu de descarte / Relationship of body composition measures assessed in vivo ultrasound with carcass weight in Zebu culling cows

Veinte vacas cebú comerciales de descarte con edades entre 42 y 72 meses, procedentes del PiedemonteLlanero se utilizaron para realizar un estudio de predicción del peso de la canal utilizando ultrasonidoen tiempo real (UTR). Las vacas cebadas en pastoreo, fueron pesadas y enviadas al frigorífico para sufaenado. Doce horas pre-sacrificio, a cada vaca se tomaron por ecografía las medidas de: área de ojo delomo (AOL), espesor de grasa dorsal (EGD) a nivel de la 12-13 costilla, espesor de glúteo medio (EGM)y espesor de grasa a nivel del anca (GA). Además, se tomaron, el puntaje de condición corporal (PC) yel puntaje de temperamento (PT). Posterior al sacrificio, se recolectó la información de peso de la canalcaliente y fría (PCC y PCF). El análisis estadístico incluyó: estadística descriptiva, correlaciones dePearson, análisis de regresión múltiple entre medidas in vivo, posmortem y para la predicción del pesode la canal. Las vacas tuvieron un promedio de peso vivo (PV) de 408.70 kg. Los promedios de AOL,EGD, EGM, GA, de las vacas fueron 48.87 cm2, 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm y 7.60 mm, respectivamente. El PCpromedio fue de 5.5. Las medidas de PCC y PCF promediaron 208.19 kg y 198.55 kg, respectivamente. Seencontraron correlaciones moderadas (p<0.05) entre AOL y PC y postmortem entre AOL y PCC, lo cualpodría ser indicador cuantitativo para producción. Las medidas de AOL y EG a nivel de la costilla nopresentaron correlación con el peso de la canal. También se encontró una correlación moderada (p<0.05)entre el PC y PCC, que podría ser una herramienta visual útil para estimar el espesor de grasa en vacas antes del faenado. Medidas como AOL y el PV podrían ser usados para predecir aceptablemente el PCCen vacas Cebú de descarte.

Twenty Zebu culling commercial cows aged between 42 and 72 months, from Piedemonte Llanero usedfor a study of prediction of carcass weight using realtime ultrasound (RTU). Cows fattened on pasture,were weighed and sent to the slaugtherhouse for dressing. Twelve hours of pre-slaughter each cow weretaken by ultrasound measures: rib eye area (REA), back fat thickness (BFT) at the 12-13 rib site, depthof gluteus medius (DGM) and thickness fat at the rump (TFR). Furthermore, it was the body conditionscore (BCS) and temperament scores (TS). Post-slaughter, the information was collected from the weightof hot and cold carcasses (WHC and WCC). Statistical analysis included: descriptive statistics, Pearsoncorrelations, multiple regression analysis between measurements in vivo and postmortem for the predictionof carcass weight. The cows had an average weight live (WL) of 408.70 kg. REA, BFT, DGM and TFRaverages for the cows were 48.87 cm2, 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm and 7.60 mm, respectively. BCS average was5.5. WHC and WCC averages were 208.19 kg and 198.55 kg, respectively. We found moderate correlations(p<0.05) between REA with BCS and REA with PCC postmortem, which could be quantitative indicatorfor production. REA and EG measures at the rib site showed no correlation with the carcass weight. Wealso found a moderate correlation (p <0.05) between the BSC and WHC, which could be a useful visualtool to estimate the fat thickness in cows before dressing. Measures such as REA and WL could be used toreasonably predict the WHC Zebu cows culling.

Vinte vacas Zebu comercial de descarte com idade entre 42 e 72 meses, provenientes do “PiedemonteLlanero” foram utilizadas para um estudo de predição do peso da carcaça com ultra-som em tempo real(RTU). Doze horas de pré-abate, foram tomadas as mensurações por ultra-som: área de olho de lombo(LOA), espessura de gordura dorsal (EGD) na costela 12/13, profundidade de glúteo medius (PGM) eespessura gordura na garupa (EGG). Também foram tomadas as mensurações: escore de condiçãocorporal (ECC) e temperamento (PT). Pós-abate, a informação foi recolhida a partir da peso de carcaçaquente e fria (PCQ e PCF). A análise estatística incluiu: estatística descritiva, correlações Pearson, análisede regressão múltipla entre as medições in vivo e depois da morte para a predição de peso de carcaça. Asvacas apresentaram uma média de peso vivo (PV) de 408.70 kg. A média de LOA, EGD, PGM, EGG foram48.87 cm2, 4.16 mm, 69.86 mm e 7.60 mm, respectivamente. A média foi de 5.5 ECC. As medidas do PCQe PCF média 208.19 kg e 198.55 kg, respectivamente. Encontro-se correlações moderada (p <0.05) entreLOA e ECC postmortem e entre LOA e PCQ, o que poderia ser indicador quantitativo para a produção.As medidas de LOA e EGD na costela mostrou nenhuma correlação com o peso da carcaça. Encontramostambém uma correlação moderada (p <0.05) entre o ECC e o PCQ, o que poderia ser uma útil ferramentavisual para estimar a espessura de gordura de vacas antes do abate. Medidas como LOA e PV poderiam serusadas para prever razoavelmente o PCQ vacas Zebu.