The effects of slaughter age on carcass and meat quality of Fabrianese lambs

Abstract The effects of two different slaughter age (2 vs 5 months) on carcass traits and on meat quality obtained from muscle longissimus thoracis taken from 28 Fabrianese lambs were studied. Carcass weight and dressing percentage were significantly higher ( P   0.05) in older animals. Slaughter age affected average daily gain, that was reduced in older lambs. Lamb meat from older animals showed a significant higher content of fat and protein, while cholesterol content and the ratio between Ʃ n-6/Ʃ n-3fatty acids were not statistically different. Rumenic acid (CLA) content was significantly (P