Diet selection and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deposition in lambs as affected by restricted time at pasture

作者：Zhang, X. Q.^*; Jin, Y. M.; Badgery, W. B.; Tana

来源：Scientific Reports, 2017, 7(1): 15641.

DOI：10.1038/s41598-017-15875-8

• GRAZING TIME
• MEAT QUALITY
• DAIRY-COWS
• BEHAVIOR
• PERFORMANCE
• PATTERNS
• DESERT
• GOATS
• RISK
• MILK

This study investigates the effects of restricted grazing time on forage selectivity and meat fatty acid deposition of lambs compared to a traditional grazing system. Results showed that the animals preferred to graze pasture species that were more palatable and lower in fibre, while demonstrating a partial preference for species with high protein levels. Leymus chinensis was more preferentially selected by lambs grazing pasture for shorter periods than longer periods. Lambs that grazed for 4 h per day had a high LNA (alpha-linolenic acid) intake. The accumulation of LNA and its elongation products in tissue was closely related to the LNA level in diet. Therefore, allowing lambs to graze for at least 4 h per day resulted in a meat fatty acid profile that is richer in health-promoting fatty acids. In particular, the highest DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) was observed in meat from lambs which grazed pasture for 4-h versus 8- and 12-h. It can be concluded that, in grassland systems, a healthier meat fatty acid profile for humans and the potential for better pasture management is achieved by limiting the grazing of lambs to 4 h per day rather than grazing over longer time periods.

• 出版日期2017-11-15
• 单位山东大学; 中国农业科学院