Artificial rearing and intramuscular fatty acid composition of unweaned lambs

摘要

The effect of artificial rearing on the fat quality (fatty acid composition and cholesterol content) of lambs raised on a farm converting from conventional to organic production was evaluated. Twenty Sarda male lambs were divided into two groups: artificially reared animals (AR), separated from their dams 2 days after birth and fed on reconstituted milk replacer and ewe-reared lambs (ER), left with their mothers to suckle until slaughter. Animals from both groups were slaughtered at 45 d of age. Fatty acid composition and cholesterol content were analysed on leg samples. Results showed that milk feeding is a major factor affecting the nutritional characteristics of lamb since the fatty acid profile of the meat reflected that of the corresponding milk source. Although the P/S ratio was lower (P<0.01) in meat from ER lambs, they had a better omega-6/omega-3 ratio, closer to the value recommended by current nutritional guidelines. Rearing system had no significant effect on trans-fatty acid and cholesterol contents.