Davide Biagini

Fatty acid composition of meat and perirenal fat in rabbits from two different rearing systems

To evaluate the effect of different rearing systems and sex on the fatty acid composition of rabbit meat and perirenal fat, the fat content and fatty acid composition of Longissimus lumborum and perirenal fat were determined by gas chromatography on 40 rabbits (20 males and 20 females) of the Carmagnola Grey breed reared from 9 to 16weeks of age in individual California type cages (0.12m(2)) or in group ground pens (0.25m(2)/head). Ether extract percentage of muscle was significantly influenced by the housing system while, both sex and rearing method affected the fatty acid composition with a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and an increase in polyunsaturated ones (PUFA) in penned and male rabbits. The same trends were observed in the fatty acid composition of the perirenal fat, gender only had a significant affect on the saturated fatty acid (SFA) content in the perirenal fat. Indices relating to human health showed the PUFA/SFA ratio to be over the minimum recommendation for rabbits reared in pens and for males, while only the n6/n3 ratio was above the maximum recommendation for caged rabbits. Atherogenic index (AI) of perirenal fat was affected by gender, but no differences were observed in trombogenic index (TI) in either muscle or perirenal fat.

Different rearing systems for fattening rabbits: Performance and carcass characteristics

To evaluate the effect of different rearing systems and sex on productive performance and carcass composition and quality, 80 rabbits (40 males and 40 females) of Carmagnola breed were reared from 9 to 16 weeks of age in individual California type cages (0.12m(2)) or in group ground pens (0.25m(2)/head). The animals were kept in standard and uniform environmental conditions and fed the same ad libitum pellet feed. Data on live weight and feed intake were recorded. At the end of the fattening period 10 animals per group were slaughtered and data provided in the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA) standard method were collected, as well as pH and meat colour. Animals reared in ground pens showed lower productive performances, while, as to slaughtering performances, rabbits reared in cages showed the highest slaughtering weight and also the highest weights for most body parts. Gender slightly affected productive and slaughtering performances: females showed higher feed consumption and higher perirenal fat weight than males. Meat colour parameters showed significant differences in Longissimus lumborum and Biceps femoris due to housing systems and gender effects. In both muscle, rearing system affected pH only 24h after slaughter.

Effect of pre- and post-pubertal castration on Piemontese male cattle. II: Carcass measures and meat yield

The effect of different castration ages on carcass morphological characteristics, meat yield, commercial cuts and bones weight and measures was evaluated on Piemontese steers and bulls. Carcasses (24) obtained from early castrated (EC, 5th month of age), late castrated (LC, 13th month) and intact males (IM, control group) of similar age (about 18 months) and fattening degree, were weighed, measured and dissected following the local commercial method. Very few differences were found in carcass conformation and fatness as in carcass weight and measures. After data adjusting, few meat cuts were heavier in IM compared to EC and LC, and only one cut measure was different, whereas, almost no differences were found in bone measures and weight. IM produced carcasses with more edible meat than LC and more forequarter and 2nd quality meat than LC and EC. Significant differences were found also between total, hindquarter and perinephric fat.

A study on muscular hypertrophy in cattle: serum concentrations of IGF-1, cortisol, insulin and testosterone

To gain insight into the hormonal control of muscular hypertrophy, a trial was performed with 46 young bulls, some with muscular hypertrophy (H; 12 Piemontese, HP; 10 crossbred Piemontese×Friesian, HP×F) and some without (N; 12 Piemontese, NP; 12 Friesian, NF). The young bulls were reared under the same environmental conditions from 7 to 14 months of age. Blood samples were taken every month from the jugular vein and serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), cortisol, insulin and testosterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. Data were analysed by analysis of variance, using a mixed nested and factorial model. Significant differences were found between H and N cattle for IGF-1 (270 vs. 422 ng/ml; P<0.05) and insulin (14.3 vs. 20.7 μU/ml; P<0.01); between genetically different groups (HP vs. HP×F and NP vs. NF) for IGF-1 (243 vs. 298 and 370 vs. 474 ng/ml, respectively; P<0.01); and between different ages for IGF-1 (values increasing with age, with highest values at 12 and 14 months; P<0.01) and cortisol (highest values at 14 months; P<0.01). It appears from this study that the double muscling condition is accompanied by a lower concentration of insulin and IGF-1 in Piemontese and in crossbred HP×F bulls. The most interesting aspect is that IGF-1 concentrations, which are age dependent, show significant differences due to breed both in normal and double-muscled animals.

Effect of castration age on slaughtering performance of Piemontese male cattle

Riassunto Effetto dell’età di castrazione sui rilievi alla macellazione di bovini maschi di razza Piemontese. Per completare la caratterizzazione del manzo di razza Piemontese sono stati indagati gli effetti della diversa età di castrazione sulle performance di macellazione di 24 soggetti (8 manzi castrati in età pre-pubere, 8 manzi castrati in età post-pubere e 8 maschi interi), macellati alla stessa età e stato di ingrassamento. I risultati ottenuti evidenziano solo lievi differenze tra i manzi castrati precocemente e tardivamente e gli interi (peso testa, stinchi, pelle, intestini, corata, mezzena destra). Sulla base dei dati ottenuti alla macellazione non si riscontrano vantaggi particolari nel posticipare l’epoca di castrazione, tradizionalmente fatta in età pre-pubere.

Consumer Attitudes to Food Quality Products of Animal Origin in Italy

Food quality is the characteristics of food that is acceptable to consumers, identifiable through labelling, marketing and quality rules. According to the different kind of consumers, a lot of different product characteristics affected their choices. Nowadays consumers expect their food to be safe, wholesome, tasty, and typical (linked to tradition and land). The latest requirement has a special feeling in Southern European and in Italy, where the tradition for typical products is higher than in the Central and Northern European Countries. In fact, Italy has 22.9% of registered PDO, PGI and TSG products in EU (fresh meat 2.6%, meat products 32.7%, cheeses 21.7%, other animal products 7.4%, fishery 10.0%), and the remaining Southern European Countries (France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus) 54.9%, leaving only 22.2% to the other 19 EU Countries. Moreover, other typical labels are widely spread in Italy, as Organic Farming (8.7% of Italian agricultural surface) and Slow Food Presidia (58.0% of world list). The consumption trend of animal food products is a good indicator of consumers’ attitudes and in Italy in the last years we have been facing ups and downs. For instance, from 2000 to 2009 the consumption of fresh meat decreased to 86.4% (beef decreased to 86.4%, but the PGI Vitellone Bianco dell’Appennino Centrale raised to 154.2%), that of processed meat products to 89.7% (and the PDO products to 92.3%, even if the Prosciutto di Parma to 98.5%), that of fresh milk raised to 102.2%, that of cheese decreased to 90.5% (and PDO products to 95.3%, and Parmigiano Reggiano to 78.7%).

Male pre- and post-pubertal castration effect on live weight, components of empty body weight, estimated nitrogen excretion and efficiency in Piemontese hypertrofic cattle

To evaluate the effect of sexual neutering and age of castration on empty body weight (EBW) components and estimated nitrogen excretion and efficiency, a trial was carried out on 3 groups of double-muscled Piemontese calves: early castrated (EC, 5th month of age), late castrated (LC, 12th month of age) and intact males (IM, control group). Animals were fed at the same energy and protein level and slaughtered at 18th month of age. Live and slaughtering performances and EBW components were recorded, whereas N excretion was calculated by difference between diet and weight gain N content. In live and slaughtering performances, IM showed higher final, carcass and total meat weight than EC and LC (P<0.01). In EBW components, IM showed higher blood and head weight than EC and LC (P<0.01 and 0.05 respectively), and differences were found between EC and LC for head weights (P<0.01). IM showed higher body crude protein (BCP) than EC and LC (P<0.01 and 0.05 respectively), but BCP/EBW ratio was higher only in IM than EC (P<0.05). Estimated N daily gain was higher in IM than EC and LC (P<0.01). Only LC showed higher excretion than IM (P<0.05), and N efficiency was higher in IM than EC and LC (P<0.05 and 0.01 respectively). In conclusion, for the Piemontese hypertrophied cattle castration significantly increases N excretion (+7%) and reduces N efficiency (−15%), leading to a lower level of sustainability.

Effect of castration age on weight and size of some muscles in Piemontese male cattle

Abstract Effect of pre- and post-pubertal castration on bone weight and measurements has been studied in 3 groups of Piemontese male cattle (EC - early castrated, LC - late castrated, IM - intact) reared in the same environmental conditions and slaughtered at about 18 month of age, at about 550 kg of l.w., and at the same commercial fattening degree. At side commercial dissection all separated bones were weighted, and on the main ones (scapula, humerus, radius, femur, and tibia) linear measures were recorded and then some conformation ratios were calculated (weight/length, length/width, and length/circumference). Data were analysed by GLM ANCOVA procedure, correcting data on side weight to avoid bias due to differences in carcass weight. No differences were found in side bone weight (23.58 ± 2.61 kg), so as in single bone weight, measures and ratios.