Relationship between body condition score and subcutaneous fat and muscle area measured by ultrasound in Pelibuey ewes

The body condition score (BCS) is the main measure used to determine nutritional and body status in the sheep industry, however, its evaluation is subjective and, both researchers and producers can easily fall into an overestimate or underestimate of this parameter. In consequence, this study aimed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Emirates journal of food and agriculture 2019-01, Vol.31 (1), p.53-58
Main Authors: Herrera, N. F. O. Robertos, A.J. Chay-Canul, R. A. Garcia, Cruz, Ulises Macias, Pérez, Ricardo Vicente, Villalvazo, Víctor M. Meza
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal lactation
Animals
Body composition
Body fat
Cattle
Hair
Independent variables
Mathematical analysis
Muscles
Pregnancy
Regression analysis
Sheep
Technicians
Thorax
Ultrasonic imaging
Ultrasound
Vertebrae
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Summary:The body condition score (BCS) is the main measure used to determine nutritional and body status in the sheep industry, however, its evaluation is subjective and, both researchers and producers can easily fall into an overestimate or underestimate of this parameter. In consequence, this study aimed to assess if back fat thickness (FT) and Longissimus dorsi area (LDA) measured by ultrasonography can be used to develop prediction equations for BCS in multiparous and non-pregnant Pelibuey ewes. Eighty ewes were used to carry out the experiment. Experienced technicians developed the evaluation of BCS using a 5 point scale, as well as the measurements of FT and LDA in the thoracic and lumbar regions with real-time ultrasound equipment. The FT in the thoracic and lumbar regions ranged from 0 to 5.50 mm and the thoracic and lumbar LDA varied from 2.96 to 13.00 cm2. BCS had a positive moderate correlation (P
ISSN:2079-052X
2079-0538
DOI:10.9755/ejfa.2019.v31.i1.1901