Determination of muscularity and correlation with body weight in buffalo in the northeast of Argentina.
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Muscularity index corresponds to an equation used to determine in living animal and instantaneous real increased musculature and therefore higher yield performance, comparing the ribeye area by live weight of the animal. This is a very important tool to evaluate carcass characteristics necessary to identify the animal extensively raised for slaughter and at the age in which meat tenderness have conditions demanded by consumers. In the last years the number of buffalos in the northeast region of Argentina has been increased, especially in Corrientes province. The aim of this study was to perform the calculation of the index of muscularity and determine its relationship with the body weight. We worked with buffaloes of 250-710 kg in farms in the provinces of Corrientes and Formosa, identifying them individually recording each animal, plus: live weight, approximate age by teeth, high to the scapula, high at the rump, chest circumference and long body, then proceeded to collect information by ultrasound ribeye area (REA), rib eye thickness (AL), backfat thickness (EGD) and rump fat thickness (EGC or GC). Collected data was performed to calculate the index of muscularity dividing the ribeye area per body weight of each individual to give an index average of 0.11, then, use statistical software to perform a calculation InfoStat correlation between this index and the weight of individuals determined that there is a negative correlation between them. Rate of muscularity in buffalos (0.11) is lower than in cattle (0.15) and that it varies with the weight of animals.
Source: Buffalo Bulletin
Institution: National University of the Northeast
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2248604157