ABSTRACT
Cereals such as triticale may contain high levels of xylans and arabinoxylans, limiting its use in diets since they act as anti-nutritional factors. The objective was to evaluate the effects of the enzyme xylanase included in triticale-based diets on productive performance, digestibility, carcass traits and meat quality in growing-finishing rabbits. Eighty rabbits (New Zealand X California breed), 35 days old, with an average initial live weight of 821 ± 26 g, were used. Twenty animals for treatment were used in each one of the fourth experimental treatments: 0, 4000, 8000 and 12,000 XU/kg of xylanase inclusion (XilaBlend 6X). The rabbits were fed ad libitum and fecal excretion was collected on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 of the experimental period. At the end of the experimental period, the rabbits were slaughtered and carcass characteristics and meat quality were measured. A higher (P < 0.05) live weight was observed in rabbits fed diets with the addition of xylanase enzyme on days 4 and 7 of the experimental period. On the other hand, in the average total tract digestibility of organic matter, no significant difference was observed, similar to what occurred in the carcass traits and nutritional quality of the meat. The inclusion of 8000 XU/kg of xylanase enzyme provided the best values of apparent digestibility of total tract protein and dry matter on the finished stage of rabbits.
Subject(s)
Triticale , Animals , Rabbits , Plant Breeding , Diet/veterinary , Dietary Supplements , MeatABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to quantify the marketing margins of cold sheep carcass and barbacoa meat in the southern state of Mexico. Data were obtained from the production chain links (production, industrialization, and marketing) where the marketing margins were calculated along with the benefit/cost (B/C) ratio. In the absolute marketing margin of the final consumer price per kilogram of carcass meat, the producer obtained US$2.7/kg (47 %) of the utilities, while the intermediaries obtained US$3.1/kg (53 %). Considering the final cooked product in barbacoa (typical dish), the margin was US$6.3/kg (29 %) for the producer and US$15.2/kg (71 %) for the intermediaries. The B/C ratio was 1.0, 1.1, 2, and 1.3 for the producer, stocker, butcher, and barbacoa seller, respectively. It is concluded that the best marketing channel for the producer was the producer-stocker-processor (butcher and barbacoa seller). The highest marketing margin was for the intermediaries followed by the producer. The order of importance of the B/C kilogram ratio of meat was for the butcher first, then barbacoa seller, and lastly stocker and producer.
Subject(s)
Marketing , Meat/economics , Meat/standards , Animals , Body Composition , Commerce , Cooking , Mexico , Ovum , SheepABSTRACT
Importation of rams of high genetic value is a common practice in Mexico; nevertheless, reproductive variables of imported animals have not been followed along. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive function of Suffolk rams along their first reproductive season in Mexico (October to February). The behavior of values of scrotal circumference, sperm count and morphology, and circulating testosterone in Suffolk ram during its first reproductive season in Mexico are in line with the ones reported for Suffolk rams in other latitudes; however, in Mexico such changes are lower in magnitude. Neuroendocrine-reproductive changes induced by environmental stimuli such as changes in duration of light-dark cycles have been broadly documented and are accepted as inducers of seasonal changes in the ram's behavior. In this work, both testosterone concentration and sperm production were observed in December. These results show that Suffolk ram imported to Mexico maintain their cyclic testicular function, although it has a lower magnitude than in other latitudes. Causes of this condition are unknown, but they may be related to changes in the duration of the light-dark cycles prevailing in Mexico.
La importación de sementales de alto valor genético ha sido una estrategia común en México. Sin embargo, debido a que no se le ha dado seguimiento al desempeño reproductivo de tales sementales se llevó a cabo el presente trabajo para realizarlo en sementales Suffolk durante su primera época reproductiva en México (octubre a febrero). El comportamiento de los valores de la circunferencia escrotal, la cuenta y la morfología espermática, así como las concentraciones circulantes de testosterona de los sementales Suffolk durante su primera época reproductiva en México, coinciden con las que se notifican en la literatura para esos animales en otras latitudes, aunque en México son de menor magnitud. Los cambios neuroendocrinos-reproductivos derivados de los estímulos ambientales, como las variaciones en la duración de los ciclos luz-oscuridad, han sido ampliamente documentados y se aceptan como responsables de los cambios estacionales en el comportamiento reproductivo de los carneros. En este trabajo, la mayor concentración de testosterona, así como la mayor producción de espermatozoides se observó en diciembre. Estos resultados indican que los sementales Suffolk importados son capaces de mantener su función testicular cíclica, aunque ésta se manifiesta con menor magnitud que en otras latitudes. Se desconocen las causas de este comportamiento, aunque pueden estar relacionadas con los cambios en la duración de los ciclos luz-oscuridad que ocurren en México.
