Microstructure of muscle tissue and its connection with slaughter and meat qualities of young rams of different genotype

Abstract

Abstract The successful development of the world sheep breeding is due to its meat productivity. In this regard, dorper meat breed gained its popularity, which has good meat qualities. The aim of the paper was to study the histological structure of the longissimus muscle of back of young rams of Kalmyk fat-tailed breeds and hybrids (1/2 Kalmyk fat-tailed + ½ dorper), as well as to establish a correlation between histological indicators of muscle tissue and slaughter and meat qualities. The work was carried out in LLC “Agrofirma Aduchi”, Republic of Kalmykia in 2016-2017. It was found that the muscle tissue of crossbred young rams was characterized by a large number of muscle fibers per unit area, a smaller diameter of muscle fiber, a higher rating of “marbling”. The content of connective tissue was greater in purebred rams than in crossbred ones. The area of the “muscle eye” was larger in crossbred animals of the second group. In the animals of Kalmyk fat-tailed breed, the coefficient of variation in the number of muscle fibers per mm2 was high and made up of 7.36% for the overall assessment of “marbling” to 10.59%, the content of connective tissue – 5.94%, which is higher compared to crossbred animals. Muscle tissue of crossbreed young rams is characterized by significantly more muscle fibers per unit area, smaller diameter of muscle fiber, and a higher rating of “marbling”.