Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (10): 5039-5049.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.10.024

• Animal Nutrition and Feeds • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation in Lactating Tan Lambs on Growth Performance and Meat Quality

ZHENG Mengxin1,2(), CHEN Xiaodong1,*(), ZHANG Jianhao1,2, ZHANG Guijie1,2   

  1. 1. School of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
    2. Ningxia Grassland and Animal Husbandry Engineering Technology Research Center, Yinchuan 750021, China
  • Received:2024-11-11 Online:2025-10-23 Published:2025-11-01
  • Contact: CHEN Xiaodong E-mail:zhengmx79@163.com;isxiaodong@163.com

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin A supplementation during lactation in Tan lambs on production performance, fat deposition, muscle antioxidant capacity and meat quality. Forty-five healthy Tan lambs with body weight (4.38±0.23) kg were randomly divided into three groups of three replicates of five lambs each. The control group (CON group) was given normal milk intake, and the experimental groups were received 30 000 IU vitamin A (L group) and 60 000 IU vitamin A (H group) on the 1st day and the 1st month of age. All sheep were weaned on 70th day. After that, all animals were fed a basal diet for a fatten period of 120 days. The results indicated that: Compared with the control group, 1) the body weight of Tan lambs in groups L and H on the 1st day, 30th day and 60th day during the fattening period were significantly increased (P < 0.05), average daily gain was not significantly different (P>0.05). 2) Muscle catalase content of Tan lambs in L group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Marbling score, meat color a45 min* and the pH at 24 h after slaughter were significantly increased (P < 0.05), intramuscular fat content tended to increase (0.05 < P < 0.1), and the muscle shear force was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). 3) The expressions of genes related to adipose deposition such as ZFP423, WNT10B, FABP4 and ACACA in the muscle of Tan lambs in groups L and H were significantly unregulated (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing moderate amounts of vitamin A to lactating Tan lambs affects production performance during the fattening period, enhances content of intramuscular fat, improves the antioxidant capacity of the longest dorsal muscle, as well as enhances meat quality.

Key words: lactation period, intramuscular fat deposition, vitamin A, fattening period, Tan sheep

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