Effects of sex and farming system on carcass and meat quality of suckling lambs from Ojinegra breed

Effects of sex and farming system on carcass and meat quality of suckling lambs from Ojinegra breed The aim of this study was to characterize carcass and meat quality of suckling lambs from Ojinegra de Teruel sheep breed. Sixty-four suckling lambs, 32 from each gender, belonging to 4 different commercial farms were used. Slaughtering age, objective carcass measurements and instrumental fat colour and Rectus abdominis muscle colour were affected by the farm (P<0.05). These parameters were seldom affected by the suckling lamb gender. Farm and gender had no effect on chemical composition of meat. The farm had greater influence on intramuscular fatty acid profile than gender. Oleic acid, a-linolenic acid, linoleic conjugated acid (9c-11t), polyunsaturated fatty acid group n-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acid relation n-6/n-3 differed among farms (P<0.001). However, the gender had only effect on linoleic conjugated acid (P<0.05). In conclusion, meat and carcass quality of Ojinegra suckling lambs relies mainly on management and feeding system of the dam, instead of gender. It would be mandatory to establish technical production rules in order to obtain a homogeneous meat product.