Sex and slaughter weight on carcass traits and non-carcass components of horses

ABSTRACT: The study evaluated the effect of sex and slaughter weight on carcass traits and non-carcass components of 1,489 horses (739 geldings and 750 females, classified into eight groups according to their weight). Data were analyzed under a completely randomized design. Geldings had a higher (P < 0.05) hot carcass yield (HCY) and cold carcass yield (CCY) than females; however, fat yellowness values (b*) were greater (P < 0.05) in females. Slaughter weight (SW) affected the carcass characteristics. Hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), HCY, and CCY increased (P < 0.05) in accordance with slaughter weight, while cool loss percentage (CL%) was lower (P < 0.05) in horses weighing more than 300 kg. In addition, the non-carcass components decreased (P < 0.05) as the weight of the horses increased. In conclusion, sex and body weight are factors to consider in the production of equine meat since they affect carcass characteristics and non-carcass components.

摘要：本研究针对1489匹马匹（739匹骟马、750匹母马，按体重分为8组），探究性别与屠宰体重对其胴体性状及非胴体组分的影响。试验数据采用完全随机设计进行统计分析。骟马的热胴体出肉率（HCY）与冷胴体出肉率（CCY）均显著高于母马（P<0.05）；但母马的脂肪黄度值（b*）显著更高（P<0.05）。屠宰体重（SW）对胴体特性存在显著影响：热胴体重（HCW）、冷胴体重（CCW）、HCY及CCY均随屠宰体重增加而显著升高（P<0.05）；而体重超过300kg的马匹，其冷却损失率（CL%）显著更低（P<0.05）。此外，非胴体组分占比随马匹体重增加而显著降低（P<0.05）。综上，性别与体重是马肉生产中需考量的关键因素，因其会对胴体特性及非胴体组分产生显著影响。