Research Article

Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding

Volume: 9 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the growth performance and carcass characteristics, as determined by ultrasound, in lambs raised under the “Kıvırcık Sheep Improvement Project” in the province of Aydın. A total of 241 Kıvırcık lambs, with an average age of 109 days, were included in the study. The animals were evaluated for birth weight (BW), live weight (LW), average daily live weight gain (ADG), and ultrasound measurements of backfat thickness (BFT), skin+fat thickness (SBFT), and muscle depth (MD) related to the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle. The average BW, LW, and ADG values were 4.23 kg, 27.17 kg, and 213.3 g/day, respectively; BFT, SBFT, and MD averaged 0.31 cm, 0.51 cm, and 1.91 cm, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between farms for all traits (p < 0.001). Lambs from Farm 1 exhibited the highest LW and ADG values, whereas lambs from Farm 5 had the highest BW and MD values. Single-born lambs showed higher BW and ADG compared to twins. Males demonstrated significantly greater BW, LW, and ADG than females (p < 0.001), while females had superior BFT and SBFT measurements. Regression analyses revealed strong and significant effects of BW on both LW and ADG (p < 0.001). Age positively influenced LW but negatively affected ADG. Phenotypic correlation coefficients indicated strong relationships between LW and MD (r = 0.609) and between BFT and SBFT (r = 0.917), whereas correlations between ADG and carcass traits were not statistically significant. These results suggest that farm conditions, birth type, and sex significantly impact growth performance and carcass characteristics.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM)

Ethical Statement

No invasive or experimental interventions were applied to the animals in the present study. Nevertheless, all animal-related procedures were conducted in full compliance with Directive 2010/63/EU, the ARRIVE guidelines, and the national legislation on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (Anonymous, 2011).

Thanks

We would like to express our gratitude to the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM) for providing essential financial support for this research, which enabled the study to be conducted on animal materials as part of the “National Genetic Breeding Project in Small Ruminants under Breeders' Conditions.” We also extend our thanks to the sheep breeders who permitted this study to take place within their flocks and offered invaluable assistance.

References

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  6. Bishop, S.C., Conington, J., Waterhouse, A., Simm, G., 1996. Genotype× environment interactions for early growth and ultrasonic measurements in Hill sheep. Animal Science. 62(2): 271-277.
  7. Cemal, I., Karaca, O., Altin, T., Gokdal, O., Yilmaz, M., Yilmaz, O., 2007. Ultrasound measurements of eye muscle properties and backfat thickness in Kivircik lambs. Journal of Biological Sciences. 7 (1): 89-94.
  8. Cemal, I., Karaca, O., Yılmaz, O., Ata, N., 2019. Lamb birth weight and ewe live weights in Eşme Kıvırcık sheep. 1st International Livestock Science Congress, Antalya, Türkiye, 31 October - 01 November 2019, pp. 135-141.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sheep and Goat Breeding and Treatment

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

February 16, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Yılmaz, O., Ata, N., Cemal, İ., & Karaca, O. (2026). Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding. Hayvan Bilimi Ve Ürünleri Dergisi, 9(1), 23-34. https://doi.org/10.51970/jasp.1890606
AMA
1.Yılmaz O, Ata N, Cemal İ, Karaca O. Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding. JASP. 2026;9(1):23-34. doi:10.51970/jasp.1890606
Chicago
Yılmaz, Onur, Nezih Ata, İbrahim Cemal, and Orhan Karaca. 2026. “Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding”. Hayvan Bilimi Ve Ürünleri Dergisi 9 (1): 23-34. https://doi.org/10.51970/jasp.1890606.
EndNote
Yılmaz O, Ata N, Cemal İ, Karaca O (June 1, 2026) Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding. Hayvan Bilimi ve Ürünleri Dergisi 9 1 23–34.
IEEE
[1]O. Yılmaz, N. Ata, İ. Cemal, and O. Karaca, “Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding”, JASP, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 23–34, June 2026, doi: 10.51970/jasp.1890606.
ISNAD
Yılmaz, Onur - Ata, Nezih - Cemal, İbrahim - Karaca, Orhan. “Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding”. Hayvan Bilimi ve Ürünleri Dergisi 9/1 (June 1, 2026): 23-34. https://doi.org/10.51970/jasp.1890606.
JAMA
1.Yılmaz O, Ata N, Cemal İ, Karaca O. Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding. JASP. 2026;9:23–34.
MLA
Yılmaz, Onur, et al. “Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding”. Hayvan Bilimi Ve Ürünleri Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 23-34, doi:10.51970/jasp.1890606.
Vancouver
1.Onur Yılmaz, Nezih Ata, İbrahim Cemal, Orhan Karaca. Using Growth and LTL Muscle Traits in Kıvırcık Sheep to Establish a Sustainable Breeding. JASP. 2026 Jun. 1;9(1):23-34. doi:10.51970/jasp.1890606


 

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