EFFECT OF EPHEDRINE ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF FAT-TAILED SHEEP

Document Type : Regular Paper

Authors

Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture Shiraz University, Shiraz, I. R. of Iran

Abstract

The effect of daily oral administration of ephedrine (0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 mg kg-1 W0.75) on carcass
characteristics of forty-four 2 yr old crossbred (Mehraban x Ghezel) fat-tailed ewes was studied. The
ewes were fed a fattening ration, and received ephedrine by using a drenching gun for either 50 or 70
days. There was a significant interaction (P<0.05) between the dose and duration of the ephedrine
treatment for crude protein and ether extract (crude fat) of the carcass meat (dry matter basis), leg meat
and Longissimus dorsi area at the 12th rib. On day 70, ephedrine at a dose of 8 mg kg-1 W 0.75, resulted in
an increase of 21.5% in crude protein, and a decrease of 16% in ether extract contents of the carcass
meat (dry matter basis) as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 70 days, all doses of
ephedrine significantly increased the cross sectional area of the Longissimus dorsi muscle, as compared
with the control ewes. The weight of leg meat as a percentage of slaughter weight was significantly
increased on day 70 at 8 mg kg-1 W0.75. The data showed that ephedrine increased the protein, and
decreased the fat content of the meat in crossbred fat-tailed ewe; a daily oral dose of 8 mg kg-1 W 0.75,
administered for 70 days, was effective in changing carcass chemical composition.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Science
Volume 29, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
January and February 2005
Pages 19-27

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