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Linear and nonlinear models for assessing carcass composition using dual X-ray absorptiometry in egg- and meat-type
Thiago L Noetzold1, Jo Ann Chew1, Douglas R Korver1
1Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada.
Poultry Science
|September 26, 2024
Summary
This study developed correction equations for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to accurately assess carcass composition in chickens. DXA is a reliable alternative to chemical analysis for determining lean, fat, and ash content in meat and egg-type birds.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Biotechnology
- Agricultural Engineering
Background:
- Accurate assessment of carcass composition is crucial for poultry production efficiency.
- Traditional proximate chemical analysis is destructive and labor-intensive.
- Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) offers a non-invasive alternative for in vivo body composition analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate correction equations for DXA to estimate total carcass composition in live meat- and egg-type chickens.
- To compare the efficacy of various linear and nonlinear regression models for DXA data analysis.
- To determine if strain-specific or combined models provide more accurate predictions.
Main Methods:
- DXA scanning of 288 laying and 305 broiler breeder females.
- Whole-body proximate chemical analysis (lean, fat, ash) of dissected birds.
- Development and evaluation of bivariate linear, multivariate linear, polynomial, multivariate polynomial, broken-line, and Gompertz models.
- Model performance assessment using RMSE, BIC, R², DW, and RES statistics.
Main Results:
- Both linear and nonlinear models provided significant estimations for carcass composition in both chicken types.
- Multivariate linear regression best predicted body lean in egg-type chickens; multivariate polynomial models excelled for fat and ash.
- Multivariate linear and polynomial models were optimal for predicting body lean, fat, and ash in meat-type chickens.
- Strain-specific corrections are recommended for most parameters, except body weight.
Conclusions:
- DXA, with appropriate correction equations, is a validated and reliable non-invasive method for determining carcass composition in poultry.
- The developed equations enhance the precision of DXA for live bird analysis, supporting breeding and nutritional management.
- Strain-specific modeling improves the accuracy of DXA-based carcass composition predictions in chickens.
