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Effect of Cattle Type and Energy Intake on Carcass Traits and Adipose Tissue Cellularity

University of California, Davis 95616

Abstract

One hundred forty-four Hereford and Charolais steers were fed at three levels of feed intake [ad libitum (AL), 70% (70 AL) and 85% ad libitum (80 AL)] and at three levels of protein (8.9, 11.0 and 12.9%) to evaluate effects of cattle type and diets on carcass traits and adipose cellularity. Charolais carcasses had thinner (P<.01) backfat, larger rib eye area, lower yield grade, higher percentage of water and protein and lower percentage fat. Though feed intake level did not significantly affect carcass traits except backfat thickness, the 70 AL group of both breeds had appreciably smaller rib eye area, lower quality grade, higher percentage water and protein and lower percentage fat. In adipose cellularity, Charolais steers had a larger (P<.01) number of adipose cells of smaller cell size. Charolais steers were less mature and adipocyte hypertrophy was not as great as Hereford steers. The 70 AL group of both breeds had a smaller (P<,05) cell size than either the AL or 85 AL group, with no difference in cell number. Adipocyte size was highly correlated with total adipose tissue, percentage fat, backfat thickness and quality and yield grade, indicating the major contribution of hypertrophy to the rapid adipose tissue increase. Dietary protein level did not affect either carcass traits or adipose cellularity.

¹ Dept. of Anim. Sci.