Effects of different slaughter weights on meat quality parameters and gene expression related to fat metabolism in muscles, liver, and gluteal fat in Lalahan lambs

The study examined the meat quality characteristics and expression levels of 3 genes (SREBP-1c, PPARγ, and FASN) affecting fatty acid composition in Lalahan lambs at different slaughter weights. Thirty-six male lambs were randomly divided into three groups and fed intensively. Six lambs from each group were slaughtered at average slaughter weights of 35 (Gr35), 40 (Gr40), and 45 kg (Gr45), respectively. Slaughter weight had a significant effect (P<0.05) on pH and a∗ index from color parameters at 24 h post-mortem, but there was no significant effect on ΣPUFA/ΣSFA, ΣUFA/ΣSFA, ω6/ω3, AI, and TI values. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of the expression of SREBP-1c and PPARγ genes in either liver or Musculus longissimus dorsi lumbalis (MLD) tissues, whereas the difference in expression was significant for the FASN gene in liver and MLD (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of the expression of the three genes in gluteal adipose tissue. The findings indicate that Lalahan lambs exhibit favorable meat quality traits and lipid metabolism gene expression patterns under intensive feeding conditions. Comparisons with previously published studies suggest that these characteristics may be somewhat better than those reported for Kivircik sheep (Lalahan sheep are a breed derived from Kivircik sheep); however, studies conducted under the same experimental conditions are needed to make direct comparisons among breeds. In short, high-quality meat can be produced from lambs of the Lalahan sheep genotype.