G. Bozzolo et al., EFFECT OF VITAMIN-E ADMINISTERED ORALLY BEFORE SLAUGHTER UPON EXTERNAL FAT CARCASS COLOR OF MALE LAMBS RAISED INDOORS, Annales de zootechnie, 42(1), 1993, pp. 67-73
The effect on the external fatty tissue colour from lambs of oral admi
nistration of DL alpha-tocopherol acetate (0.1 g kg-1 live weight), 4
days before slaughtering was investigated. Lacaune males (N = 240. 120
reference group, 120 treated group), weaned early and intensively fed
indoors (average daily gain: 312 g d-1; carcass weight 19.5 kg) and w
ith similar fat cover characteristics (subcutaneous fatty tissue depth
, development and firmness) were compared by colour score (7 grades sc
aled with Munsell's toner). Scoring was carried out- 18-h on chilled c
arcasses (4-degrees-C). Plasma vitamin E concentration tested in 15 la
mbs from each group, 3 d after administration, was increased with trea
tment (1.93 mug ml-1 vs 0. 70 mug ml-1: P < 0.001). The percentage of
creamy white carcasses was therefore higher (38% vs 19%; P < 0.001) an
d the percentage of reddish-bistre colour lower (27% vs 46%; P < 0. 00
2). The percentage of yellow tones was the same in both groups (34% on
average).