Evaluation of ultrasound for prediction of carcass fat thickness and longissimus muscle area in feedlot steers

Four hundred fifty-two yearling steers from two experiments were measured for subcutaneous fat thickness and longissimus muscle area between the 12th and 13th ribs using realtime linear array ultrasound equipment. Ultrasonic predictions were compared to corresponding carcass measurements to determin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of animal science Vol. 70; no. 1; p. 29
Main Authors Smith, M.T. (National Cattlemen's Assoc., Englewood, CO), Oltjen, J.W, Dolezal, H.G, Gill, D.R, Behrens, B.D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.1992
Subjects
Adipose Tissue - anatomy & histology
Adipose Tissue - diagnostic imaging
Animals
Body Composition
BOEUF
BUEY
Cattle - anatomy & histology
COMPOSICION DE LA CANAL
COMPOSITION DE LA CARCASSE
Evaluation Studies as Topic
INSTRUMENT DE MESURE
INSTRUMENTOS DE MEDICION
Male
MEDICION DEL CUERPO
MENSURATION CORPORELLE
MUSCLE
Muscles - anatomy & histology
Muscles - diagnostic imaging
MUSCULOS
TEJIDO ADIPOSO
TISSU ADIPEUX
ULTRASON
ULTRASONIDO
Ultrasonography
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Summary:Four hundred fifty-two yearling steers from two experiments were measured for subcutaneous fat thickness and longissimus muscle area between the 12th and 13th ribs using realtime linear array ultrasound equipment. Ultrasonic predictions were compared to corresponding carcass measurements to determine accuracy of ultrasound measurements. In Exp. 1, 74% of the ultrasonic estimates of fat thickness were within 2.54 mm of carcass values (r = 0.81) and muscle area was predicted within 6.45 cm(2) for 47% of all carcasses (r = 0.43). Although similar correlation coefficients between ultrasonic and carcass fat thickness were obtained in Exp. 2 (r = 0.82.), estimates were more biased; only 62% of ultrasound estimates were within 2.54 mm of carcass measurements. Improvement in longissimus muscle area estimates was noted in Exp. 2, in which 54% of ultrasonic estimates were within 6.45 cm(2) of carcass values (r = 0.63). The extremes for each trait proved most difficult to predict; fat thickness was underestimated on fatter cattle and muscle area was underpredicted on more heavily muscled steers. Ultrasonic measurements of fat thickness are precise and accurate in determining carcass fat thickness, but muscle area estimates are inconsistent and warrant further investigation
Bibliography:9174393
L01
ISSN:0021-8812
1525-3163
DOI:10.2527/1992.70129x