Effects of ovariectomy on body measurements, carcass composition, and meat quality of Huainan chickens

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of ovariectomy on body measurements, carcass composition, meat quality, and steroid hormone concentrations of Huainan female chickens. The left ovaries of healthy Huainan chickens were surgically or sham removed at 7 weeks of age. Two slaughters were performed at 14 and 23 weeks of age. In each slaughter, 15 control, sham-operated, and ovariectomised chickens were used, respectively. The ovariectomised group had higher (P < 0.05) body length, keel length, body depth, and weight gain than the other two groups at 14 weeks of age. Ovariectomy increased bodyweight at 14 and 23 weeks of age. However, dressing percentage, breast muscle yield, and leg muscle yield were not affected by ovariectomy. Compared with intact and sham-operated chickens, ovariectomised chickens had higher shear force values at 23 weeks of age and higher redness values (a*) at 14 and 23 weeks of age in breast meat. Moreover, ovariectomy decreased and increased serum concentrations of oestradiol and testosterone, respectively. Therefore, ovariectomy increased bodyweight, altered breast meat quality by increasing redness values, and increased body size and growth rates during the early stage, with no effects on carcass composition yield in female chickens.