Some Gastrointestinal Tract Characteristics of Karayaka Ram Lambs Slaughtered at Different Weights

Abstract

Thirty-one Karayaka ram lambs were slaughtered at different body weights (30n=7, 35n=6, 40n=7, 45n=6, and 50n=5 kg of body weight at fast) to evaluate the growth of their gastrointestinal tract (GIT) characteristics, to determine the relationship among slaughter body weight (SBW) and empty body weight (EBW), whole GIT and segments, and the influence of slaughter weight on the pH of rumen, jejunum, and cecal contents. The effects of the SBW on GIT weightP<0.05, stomachP<0.001, and intestineP<0.05, the body lengthP<0.001and caecumP<0.05, and the relative weights of GITP<0.05, stomachP<0.001, and intestineP<0.001were linear whereas that for the length of intestine were quadratic. The effect of SBW were quadraticP<0.05on ratios of stomach to GIT weight and intestine length to intestine weight and rumen pH while, for the intestine to GIT weight ratioP<0.001and caecum pHP<0.05, this effect was linear. The results indicated that for all parameters studied, with the exception of intestinal length and cecal pH, linear relationships were observed with SBW indicating steady growth rates for these tissues.