Variations in the iodine values of fats from fatty, muscular and bone tissues of the Romney sheep

R.A. Barton, F.B. Shorland and A.L. Rae

Massey University College, Palmerston North

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1963, 23: 121-130

Depot Ewes Wethers Perinephric fat 40 44 Omental fat - 46 Loin subcutaneous fat 42 49 Loin intermuscular fat 44 - Longissimus dorsi muscle fat 53 60 Femur 45 - Tibia-tarsus 54 - Metacarpus 80 -

As indicated above, the iodine values of fats from wethers were higher than those for ewes. Within a given tissue the iodine values showed great variation - e.g., in perinephric fats of the ewes and wethers, the iodine values cover a range of 15 and 12 units respectively. Moreover, the iodine values were, in general, not uniform in the different depots of the same animal but some correlation was found between the iodine values of the subcutaneous and the intermuscular fats and the longissimus dorsi muscle fat in the ewes.

Although the iodine values of the fats have been examined from the point of view of growth rate and order of development of the tissues, and the temperature of the depot, no correlation has been found, nor can any reason be given for the remarkably high iodine value of the fat from the metacarpus.

No significant differences were apparent between the iodine values of fats from wethers which had been grazed on different pastures, namely, perennial ryegrass.; short-rotation ryegrass ; perennial ryegrass plus white clover; short-rotation ryegrass plus white clover; perennial ryegrass then changed to short- rotation ryegrass plus white clover; short-rotation ryegrass plus white clover then changed to perennial ryegrass.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;