Abstract:

Thirty six female lambs were selected to study the effects of energy level on water holding capacity, pH values and shear force in the experiment. The lambs were randomly divided into 3 groups and the energy levels were 7.21MJ/d (low energy group), 10.33 MJ/d (middle energy group) and 13.49 MJ/d (high energy group) respectively. The results showed that there were no obvious difference on water holding capacity, pH value and shear force between the middle energy group and the low energy group (P>0.05). The water holding capacity and pH value of high energy group were significantly higher than those of low energy group (P <0.05). The longissimus muscle shear force of high energy group was significantly lower than those of middle energy group and low energy group (P<0.01). The biceps femoris shear force of high energy group was significantly lower than that of low energy group (P<0.01). In conclusion, dietary energy level had influence on mutton quality.