Correlações entre parâmetros obtidos por meio de ultrassonografia e na carcaça de novilhos bubalinos terminados em confinamento

Abstract

In order to evaluate the correlations between measurements determined in vivo by ultrasound and in the carcass of feedlot-finished buffalo steers, the experiment was carried out in the Buffalo Culture Sector of the Animal Science Department of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. Twenty whole buffalo Murrah steers were used, with an initial average weight of 300 kg, collective in individual pens. Feeding was confirmed by sugarcane corrected with urea and small palm (Nopalea cochenillifera) with urea, replacing wheat bran, and ad libitum approval, at 06:00 and 18:00, allowing about 10% of the leftovers. After the 80 days, experimental measures were carried out with measurements of the ribeye area (AOLU) and subcutaneous fat thickness (EGSU) by ultrasound. Afterwards, the animals were introduced to fasting for 16 hours and slaughtered to obtain the carcass. In the cold carcass, between the 12th and 13th ribs, AOLC and EGSC were measured. The experimental design adopted was in randomized blocks with four treatments. Pearson's correlation was performed between measurements determined in vivo by ultrasound and in the carcass of Murrah steers, accepting up to a level of 5% precision. Ultrasound-measured AOLU was highly correlated with carcass-measured AOLC (0.96) and carcass compactness index (0.87) selected on carcass (P<0.001). Ultrasound-measured EGSU showed high correlation (P < 0.001) with carcass EGSC (0.94) and low but slight correlation (P < 0.05) with ICC (0.48) and AOLC (0.48) chose on the carcass. AOLU and EGSU measurements adjusted by ultrasonography can be used in the evaluation of these parameters in the carcass.