Influence of Genotype on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality: A Comparative Study in Male Alpine and...

This study evaluated the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of male Alpine and Saanen goat kids raised under standardized fattening conditions to inform breed-specific strategies for meat production. The study included 36 single-born male kids (18 Alpine and 18 Saanen purebreds) of similar age and live weight. The animals were allocated by breed and randomly assigned to three replicates per breed, with six animals in each replicate. After a two-week adaptation period, the kids were fattened for 12 weeks on an 80:20 concentrate-roughage diet. At the end of the fattening period, all animals were slaughtered, and physical, sensory, and chemical analyses of the meat were performed on the Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle. Final live weights did not differ significantly between Alpine and Saanen kids, nor did average daily gains. However, the feed conversion ratio favored the Saanen breed, indicating superior feed efficiency. Alpine kids had significantly higher internal fat content, while Saanen kids had a higher proportion of full intestines. Meat pH, color, and texture were similar between breeds. Fatty acid analysis showed that Alpine meat had higher palmitic and palmitoleic acid content, whereas Saanen meat contained more calcium and sodium. These results suggest that both breeds are suitable for high-quality meat production under controlled feeding conditions, but breed-specific differences in fat composition and mineral content may affect nutritional value and market positioning. These findings are valuable for optimizing selection and marketing strategies in goat meat production systems targeting diverse consumer demands.