Y. Abdullah

Effect of slaughter weight and aging time on the quality of meat from Awassi ram lambs

Thirty Awassi ram lambs were used to investigate the effects of live weight at slaughter (SW) and aging time (AT) on meat quality attributes of Mm. Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, Biceps femoris and Longissimus. Lambs were slaughtered at 20, 30 or 40kg live weight, and muscles of each lamb carcass were aged for either 24h or 7days. Warner-Bratzler shear force values increased (P<0.01) with increasing live weight and decreased (P<0.01) by increasing AT in both M. Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris. Lightness (L*) of the four muscles decreased (P<0.001) with increasing weight but was not affected by AT. Aging time increased (P<0.05) redness (a*) in Mm.Semitendinosus and Longissimus. Cooking loss was reduced (P<0.001) by increased AT in M. Longissimus and by increasing (P<0.001) live weight in M.Semitendinosus. Aging time had no effect on expressed juice of all muscles but it was improved (P<0.001) with increasing live weight in M. Semimembranosus. pH values were significantly influenced for Mm. Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris and values were higher for lighter weight and decreased with increasing weight. Aging time did not influenced pH. In conclusion, meat quality for lambs slaughtered up to 30kg was better than for lambs slaughtered at 40kg with quality being improved by increasing aging time.

Age at Puberty and Some Biological Parameters of Awassi and its First Crosses with Charollais and Romanov Rams

Abstract The aim of this experiment was to determine the age at puberty of both ram and ewe lambs of three genotypes: Awassi (A), Charollais x Awassi (CA), and Romanov x Awassi (RA) F1 crosses. Twenty, six-month old lambs (10 from each sex) from each genotype were used. Ram and ewe lambs were kept in separate groups from the beginning until the end of the experiment. Birth weight and weaning weight were recorded for all animals. Body weights and body condition scores were recorded at monthly intervals between 6.5 and 12 months of age. Blood samples were collected weekly from ewe lambs and fortnightly from ram lambs to monitor progesterone and testosterone profiles, respectively. Semen characteristics and scrotal circumferences (SC) were evaluated fortnightly. Weight at puberty in ewe and ram lambs were not significantly different among the three genotypes and ranged around 35 kg and 42 kg, respectively. In ewe lambs, age at puberty was significantly higher (P< 0.01) in A (280±11.5 d) than in RA (232±11 d) and CA (255±11.5 d). Age at puberty of ram lambs was also significantly different (P < 0.01) among the three genotypes being higher in A (243±5 d) than in CA (223±5 d) and RA (226±5 d) ram lambs. Semen parameters improved with age in all genotypes. The RA ram lambs had greater semen concentration and lower abnormal spermatozoa than the other two genotypes (P< 0.05). Results of the present study indicate that crossing Awassi ewes with either Charollais or Romanov sires tends to improve reproductive characteristics of the F1 crossbreds through advancing age at puberty in both ram and ewe lambs.

Small intestinal histology, production parameters, and meat quality as influenced by dietary supplementation of garlic ( Allium sativum) in broiler chicks

Four hundred day-old male hatchling chicks were obtained from the female line of Lohmman grandparent stock farms and fed rations supplemented with different levels (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.0%) of dried garlic powder. Each treatment consists of 5 pens. Feed and water were provided as ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Production parameters measured were body weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio. Final body weight and feed conversion ratio were not affected (P>0.05) by garlic supplementation. However, feed consumption was the lowest (P<0.05) at 0.5% and 1%. Small intestinal histological measurements were influenced (P<0.05) by garlic powder supplementation. In duodenum, villus length was the highest (P<0.05) in birds fed with diets containing 1% garlic powder, and villus and epithelial width were the highest (P<0.05) in chicks fed with diets containing 0.5 percentage of dried powder. In jejunum, the villus length was the highest (P<0.05) in birds fed with diets containing 0.25% and 1% garlic powder, while villus and epithelial width were the lowest (P<0.05) in chicks fed with diets containing 0.5% of dried powder. Carcass traits were not affected (P>0.05) by garlic supplementation. All meat quality parameters measured were not affected (P>0.05) by garlic powder supplementation (cooking loss percentage, shear force, lightness, redness and yellowness), except for juiciness percentage and pH, which were the lowest (P<0.05) at 1.0% and 0.25%, respectively. As a conclusion, this study shows that garlic at a 0.5% level might be of beneficial effect on intestinal morphymetry parameters, as well as on production parameters.

Sexual behaviour of yearling Awassi, Charollais × Awassi and Romanov × Awassi rams exposed to oestrousAwassi ewes

This study was conducted to evaluate the sexual performance of 10-month-old, ram lambs of different breed groups. Eight ram lambs each of Awassi (A), F1 Charollais × Awassi (CA) and F1 Romanov × Awassi (RA) breed types were subjected to sexual performance tests by being individually exposed to two oestrous Awassi ewe lambs for four 20-min periods. Bouts of leg kicking and anogenital sniffing were similar among breed groups. Mounting frequency was greater (p < 0.05) in RA than in A and CA ram lambs. Tail-raising was greater (p < 0.05) and mating rate tended to be greater (p < 0.10) in A than in RA and CA ram lambs. The number of mounts per tail-raising (efficiency) was influenced by breed group and test day (p < 0.05). Awassi ram lambs maintained the best efficiency throughout the experiment. Efficiency in RA and CA ram lambs improved with each test day. Results of the present study indicate that RA ram lambs have greater mounting frequency than A and CA, while Awassi are more capable of mating with fat-tailed females than the CA and RA ram lambs.

Utilization of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) as a Smother Crop in Field Corn (Zea mays L.)

ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted at two locations in Jordan to investigate the effects of alfalfa grown as a smother crop on corn and weeds. The two locations were characterized by semi-arid conditions. Treatments were; (1) a mixture of alfalfa-corn with alfalfa clipped once; (2) a mixture of alfalfa-corn with alfalfa clipped twice; (3) a mixture of alfalfa-corn with alfalfa clipped three times; (4) a mixture of alfalfa-corn with alfalfa clipped four times; (5) weed-free corn; (6) weedy corn; (7) weed-free alfalfa; and (8) weedy alfalfa. Results indicated that alfalfa reduced corn grain yield more than total above ground dry biomass. Grain yield reductions ranged from 23 to 53% of amounts harvested in weed-free corn plots. Yields were comparable or greater than amounts harvested from weedy check plots, indicating that alfalfa imposed equivalent or less competition on corn than the prevailing weeds of the two sites. Alfalfa harvested from frequently clipped plots was 48 to 57% of quantities harvested from weed-free alfalfa plots. Effectiveness of alfalfa in suppressing weeds was not obvious and varied between locations and cutting frequencies. Results of these experiments encourage corn producers to replace polyethylene mulches with alfalfa smother crop to maximize their utilization of scarce water resources available for Mediterranean agriculture. Possible economic advantages arise from lowering the initial costs of polyethylene mulches and additional returns from producing a high-quality forage crop, thus compensating for any reductions in corn grain yields.

Sexual Performance of Rams Sequentially Exposed to Short‐tailed and Fat‐tailed Ewes

The objective of the study was to compare sexual performance of pure and crossbred rams, and to evaluate whether prior exposure of rams to short-tailed females would enhance their mating ability when later exposed to fat-tailed females. Twenty-two virgin, yearling Awassi (A; n = 7), F(1) Charollais x Awassi (CA; n = 7) and F(1) Romanov x Awassi (RA; n = 8) rams were subjected to sexual performance tests on six 20-min occasions. Each ram was individually exposed to two short-tailed oestrous ewes for three 20-min occasions on three consecutive days. Following 1 day of rest, the same 3-day procedure was repeated for each ram with fat-tailed ewes. Leg kicking bout frequency increased in CA and RA rams and decreased in A rams, when they were exposed to fat-tailed compared with short-tailed ewes. No differences in anogenital sniffing were observed among rams exposed to either short-tailed or fat-tailed ewes. However, greater (p < 0.001) anogenital sniffing bouts were recorded, when rams were exposed to short-tailed females. Upon exposure to fat-tailed ewes, CA and RA rams experienced a marked increase in mounting frequency compared with a slight increase in mounting of A rams (p < 0.001). The ability of Awassi rams to raise the fat tail of Awassi ewes was greater (p < 0.001) than CA and RA rams. Mating was improved in A while declining in CA and RA, when they were exposed to fat-tailed compared with short-tailed ewes (p < 0.001). Based on the results of the current study, it seems that all yearling rams were capable of mating with short-tailed ewes, whereas only Awassi rams managed to mate with fat-tailed ewes. It appears that brief exposures of yearling crossbred rams to short-tailed ewes do not improve their mating ability when later exposed to fat-tailed ewes.

Composition changes of Atriplex nummularia L. under a Mediterranean arid environment

Old man saltbush (A. nummularia L.) is an adapted introduced shrub used for rangeland reclamation in Mediterranean desert shrublands. It provides valuable fodder during the long dry season and during drought. The objective of this study was to determine the dry matter accumulation and chemical composition of leaves and twigs of A. nummularia in north-eastern Jordan. Leaves and twigs showed similar patterns in P, Ca, Ca:P ratio, Na, K, Mg, crude protein and dry matter content on all occasions. Leaves and twigs produced more dry matter during the period from June to October with a peak during August. The P content would not meet the nutritional requirements of ewes, whereas Na, K, and Mg content was high and exceeded the maximum amount required by sheep. Crude protein of leaves (17.7%) and twigs (21.3%) reached maximum levels in February. The crude protein composition of leaves and twigs dropped significantly during the period from June to December. Fibre content of leaves and twigs did not exceed 27.0%.

Sexual activity and puberty in pure Awassi and crosses and backcrosses with Charollais and Romanov sheep breeds

Abstract The aim of this experiment was to study sexual activity, scrotal circumference and the occurrence of puberty in five breed groups of ram lambs. Awassi (A, n = 8), F1 Charollais‐Awassi (CA, n = 5), backcrossed Awassi‐Charollais‐Awassi (ACA, n = 9), F1 Romanov‐Awassi (RA, n = 9) and backcrossed Awassi‐Romanov‐Awassi (ARA, n = 8) ram lambs were randomly selected at weaning to be used in this study. Sexual activity was observed weekly by introducing two oestrous ewes into each m ale group for a period of 20 min. At the time of first expressed sexual interest in females, body weights (BW) (P < 0.05) and scrotal circumferences (SC) (P < 0.001) differed among ram breed groups, while age and testosterone concentrations were similar. Weights at puberty were similar among the ram breed groups. Puberty, however, occurred earlier (P < 0.01) in CA, RA and ACA than in A and ARA ram lambs. At puberty, testosterone concentrations were similar while SC were greater (P < 0.01) in CA, ACA and RA than in ARA ram lambs. However, greater (P < 0.05) testosterone concentrations were observed in crossbred than in Awassi ram lambs throughout the study. Similarly, BW and SC were greater (P < 0.05) in CA, RA and ACA than in A and ARA ram lambs throughout the study. Results of the present study indicate that crossbreeding Awassi with Charollais and Romanov sheep breeds improved reproductive parameters in the F1 crosses and the backcrossed ACAmales compared with the ARA backcrosses and pure Awassi ram lambs. The fact that age differed among ram groups while BW at puberty did not, indicates that body weight is more important than age for puberty occurrence.

Histopathological effects of alternative feedstuffs (sesame hulls and Prosopis juliflora) on ruminal walls in black goat kids in Jordan

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the histopathological effects of alternative feedstuffs on ruminal walls and, subsequently, the impact on growth performance of black goat kids in Jordan. Male goat kids (n = 62, BW = 17.1 ± 2.0 kg, age = 120 ± 5 days) housed in individual pens were randomly assigned to one of seven diets for 84 days. Treatment diets were prepared by partially replacing barley in the control diet (CTL; n = 9) with different levels (10%, 15%, or 20%) of Prosopis juliflora pods (JP; n = 26) or partially replacing barley and soybean meal in the control diet with different levels of P. juliflora pods (10%, 15%, or 20%) plus sesame hulls (20%, 15%, or 10%; PJSH; n = 27). All kids were slaughtered and sections from ruminal walls were examined for vacuolar degeneration, dysplasia, hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, stunting, submucosal inflammation, submucosal oedema, erosions, lymphangiectasia, and ulcers. Dietary treatments had no effects on all studied histopathological changes. The growth rate of kids was negatively correlated (P ≤ .05) with submucosal oedema and inflammation. However, the severity of submucosal oedema and inflammation was not affected by dietary treatments. Alternative feedstuffs had no detrimental histopathological effects on ruminal walls of goat kids.

Performance and carcass characteristics of intact and castrated male Black goat kids fed diets of various energy levels

Thirty Black goat male kids were used in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement to evaluate the effects of three dietary energy levels (EL) and early castration (TRT) on growth performance, body and carcass characteristics. Upon weaning at 90 days of age, kids were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 10: five intact and five castrated) and assigned to one of the three dietary treatments containing 15% CP and different energy levels: low (LEL; 10.44 MJ ME/kg DM), medium (MEL; 11.60 MJ ME/kg DM) and high energy (HEL; 12.90 MJ ME/kg DM). Kids were individually fed on an ad libitum basis and were slaughtered at the end of the fattening period. Results showed no differences between castrated and intact kids in feed and nutrient intake. The level of dietary energy affected dry matter intake (P < 0.05), metabolisable energy intake (P < 0.01), crude protein intake (P < 0.05), neutral detergent fibre (P < 0.001) and acid detergent fibre intakes (P < 0.001). Dry matter intake was 280, 305 and 264 g/kg W0.75.day for kids receiving LEL, MEL and HEL diets, respectively. Metabolisable energy intake was the highest for kids receiving the MEL diet (0.90 Mcal/kg W0.75.day) compared with LEL (0.73 Mcal/ kg W0.75.day) and HEL (0.88 Mcal/kg W0.75.day) diets. Final liveweight and average daily gain (ADG) were greater (P < 0.01) in MEL diets. Kids fed MEL gained 133 g/day, while ADG values were 92 and 100 g/day for kids fed LEL and HEL diets, respectively. Total muscle percentage was greater (P < 0.05) for kids fed MEL diets (55.9%) compared with LEL (53.8%) and HEL (51.1%) diets. Castrated kids had lower (P < 0.01) carcass muscle percentage, but higher carcass (P < 0.01) and subcutaneous (P < 0.001) fat percentages than intact kids. It can be concluded that the best growth performance was observed in kids receiving the MEL with no differences between castrated and intact kids. Castration influenced accretion of fat in castrated kids.