Articles | Volume 65, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-65-113-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-65-113-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original study
| 
11 Mar 2022
Original study |
| 11 Mar 2022
| 11 Mar 2022
Effects of green oak acorn (Quercus ilex) intake on nutrient digestibility, lamb growth, and carcass and non-carcass characteristics
Ilyes Mekki
Animal and Forage Productions Laboratory, University of Carthage, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, rue Hédi Karray 2049, Ariana, Tunisia
Samir Smeti
Animal and Forage Productions Laboratory, University of Carthage, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, rue Hédi Karray 2049, Ariana, Tunisia
Hadhami Hajji
Livestock and Wildlife Laboratory, Arid Regions Institute (IRA), University of Gabes, 4119 Médenine, Tunisia
Mokhtar Mahouachi
Laboratoire Appui à la Durabilité des Systèmes de Production Agricole dans la Région du Nord-Ouest, ESAK, Le Kef, Tunisia, University of Jendouba, 7100 Jendouba, Tunisia
Naziha Atti
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Animal and Forage Productions Laboratory, University of Carthage, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, rue Hédi Karray 2049, Ariana, Tunisia
Related authors
Hadhami Hajji, Samir Smeti, Ilyes Mekki, and Naziha Atti
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 57–66, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-57-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-57-2025, 2025
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The study evaluated the effects of crude protein levels (high: 16 %, low: 11 %) on meat traits and fatty acid (FA) profiles of three sheep breeds. Only the breed type affected the FA profile: palmitic acid (C16:0) was higher in Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QFO), while stearic acid (C18:0) was higher in Barbarin (BB) and Noire de Thibar (NT). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and PUFA/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio were higher in BB. Health indices were favorable in BB and NT.
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This study explores the potential of using cull ewe meat to enhance the value of traditional sheep meat products, focusing on the Tunisian dried meat "kaddid". Two local sheep breeds, i.e. Noire de Thibar (NT) and Barbarine (BR), were evaluated at two slaughter ages (3 months and 5 years). Results showed that BR raw meat had more antioxidants (α-tocopherols) and healthy fats; however, kaddid from NT ewes had higher tocopherol levels, with favourable polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profiles.
Hadhami Hajji, Samir Smeti, Ilyes Mekki, and Naziha Atti
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 57–66, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-57-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-57-2025, 2025
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The study evaluated the effects of crude protein levels (high: 16 %, low: 11 %) on meat traits and fatty acid (FA) profiles of three sheep breeds. Only the breed type affected the FA profile: palmitic acid (C16:0) was higher in Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QFO), while stearic acid (C18:0) was higher in Barbarin (BB) and Noire de Thibar (NT). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and PUFA/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio were higher in BB. Health indices were favorable in BB and NT.
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Rosemary essential oils could be recommended for dairy ewes fed silage to improve the nutritional quality of their milk for human consumption.
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Short summary
Oak acorn diets fed to lambs during the pre-weaning period did not negatively affect their future growth performance. Replacing barley grain with oak acorn in concentrate during the post-weaning period had no effects on a lamb’s growth performance, health and viability. Oak acorn can replace up to 40 % of barley grain in finishing feedlot lamb diets. The substitution of oak acorn for barley has no effects on carcass traits.
Oak acorn diets fed to lambs during the pre-weaning period did not negatively affect their...
