文章基本信息

标题：Diet selection and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deposition in lambs as affected by restricted time at pasture
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作者：X. Q. Zhang ; Y. M. Jin ; W. B. Badgery 等
期刊名称：Scientific Reports
电子版ISSN：2045-2322
出版年度：2017
卷号：7
期号：1
页码：15641
DOI：10.1038/s41598-017-15875-8
语种：English
出版社：Springer Nature
摘要：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 (α-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.