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BIA on Cattle

J Anim Sci. 1999 Nov;77(11):2965-70.

Determination of saleable product in finished cattle and beef carcasses utilizing bioelectrical impedance technology.

Marchello MJ, McLennan JE, Dhuyvetter DV, Slanger WD.

Animal and Range Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58105-5727, USA. mmarchel@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Two experiments were performed to develop prediction equations of saleable beef and to validate the prediction equations. In Exp. 1, 50 beef cattle were finished to typical slaughter weights, and multiple linear regression equations were developed to predict kilograms of trimmed boneless, retail product of live cattle, and hot and cold carcasses. A four-terminal bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) was used to measure resistance (Rs) and reactance (Xc) on each animal and processed carcass. The IMPS cuts plus trim were weighed and recorded. Distance between detector terminals (Lg) and carcass temperature (Tp) at time of BIA readings were recorded. Other variables included live weight (BW), hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), and volume (Lg2/Rs). Regression equations for predicting kilograms of saleable product were [11.87 + (.409 x BW) - (.335 x Lg) + (.0518 x volume)] for live (R2 = .80); [-58.83 + (.589 x HCW) - (.846 x Rs) + (1.152 x Xc) + (.142 x Lg) + (2.608 x Tp)] for hot carcass (R2 = .95); and [32.15 + (.633 x CCW) + (.33 x Xc) - (.83 x Lg) + (.677 x volume)] for cold carcass (R2 = .93). In Exp. 2, 27 beef cattle were finished in a manner similar to Exp. 1, and the prediction equations from Exp. 1 were used to predict the saleable product of these animals. The Pearson correlations between actual saleable product and the predictions based on live and cold carcass data were .91 and .95, respectively. The Spearman and Kendall rank correlations were .95 and .83, respectively, for the cold carcass data. These results provide a practical application of bioelectrical impedance for market-based pricing. They complement previous studies that assessed fat-free mass.

J Anim Sci. 1994 Dec;72(12):3118-23.

Bioelectrical impedance can predict skeletal muscle and fat-free skeletal muscle of beef cows and their carcasses.

Marchello MJ, Slanger WD.

Department of Animal and Range Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58105.

Multiple linear regression equations predicting total skeletal muscle (TM) and total skeletal fat-free muscle (TFFM) weight were developed from data of 33 beef cows. Animals varied in weight (385 to 749 kg), age (3 to 10 yr), and fatness (.13 to 2.54 cm). A four-terminal impedance meter/plethysmograph measured resistance and reactance on the live animals, exsanguinated (bled) animals, and on the subsequent hot and cold carcasses. Stainless steel, sterile needles (20-gauge) were used as electrodes. They were inserted to depths of 12.7 mm for measurements made before and after exsanguination and to 25.4 mm for carcass measurements. Cold carcass resistance and reactance were measured a second time using 13-gauge needles inserted to depth of 76.2 mm. Distance between detector electrodes was measured. Carcass sides were physically separated into muscle, fat, and bone. Chemical composition (moisture, protein, and fat) was determined on the muscle portion. Equations predicting TM weight from live, bled, hot carcass, and cold carcass data had adjusted R2 values of .90, .96, .94, and .92, respectively. Analogous adjusted R2 values for TFFM weight were .87, .93, .90, and .87. Resistance was a predictor variable in all equations. The use of larger needles resulted in higher adjusted R2 values and inclusion of reactance as a predictor variable. Mallows Cp values were close to the ideal value of the number of independent variables in the prediction equations plus one (1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

These papers and abstracts of papers have been published in peer-reviewed journals. They may draw conclusions and discuss applications of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis which have not been reviewed by the FDA. Statements made within them are the sole responsibility of the authors. Unless otherwise indicated, no material support was provided to the authors or study investigators by RJL Systems.