Pregnancy's effect on the quality of meat of zebu females
Pregnant, nutrition, heifers.
The slaughter of females over the years has been altered according to several factors, among which, we can mention: the cattle cycle of price driven by the lower value of replacement of the calves; increase in industrial crossing products; lack of food planning in the dry season; and also the use of the higher speed of finishing of the carcasses of the females in relation to the uncastrated males. However, it is known that part of these animals, slaughtered in commercial slaughterhouses, are in a gestational state, most of the times initial and middle thirds. However, the reasons that lead producers to slaughter pregnant females remain unclear, and what the contribution of the females in terms of yield and quality of meat would really be. Thus, it is necessary to carry out a study that allows the understanding of the changes on the meat quality and carcass yield of pregnant females. The experiment was conducted according to a completely randomized design, with four treatments and twenty repetitions: (I) Non-pregnant heifers, (II) first trimester pregnant; (III) second trimester pregnant; (IV) third trimester pregnant. In the evaluation and comparison of the effects of the treatments, the yield and chemical composition of longissimus and qualitative parameters (pH, softness, losses and water retention capacity) were measured.