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Rumen-Protected Betaine Improves Meat Quality in Tibetan Sheep by Influencing Intramuscular Fat Deposition,
Chengdi Shi1, Wei Gao1, Zhenglu Yang1
1College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining City 810016, China.
Background:
Intramuscular fat (IMF) is a key determinant of meat sensory quality, but the effects of rumen-protected betaine (RPB) on IMF deposition in Tibetan sheep remain unclear.
Methods:
Sixty male, 3-month-old Tibetan lambs (Initial weight 17.72 ± 1.36 kg) were randomly assigned to a control (basal diet, n = 30) or RPB supplementation (basal diet supplemented with 0.08% RPB, n = 30) for 90 d.
Results:
Transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses revealed that RPB modulated glycerophospholipid metabolism-related genes (DGKI and AGPAT1) and altered lipid profiles, including PC (16:0/20:5) and PC (16:0/16:0). RPB increased T-AOC and SOD activities and decreased MDA content (p < 0.05). Intramuscular adipocyte area and diameter increased, while density decreased (p < 0.05). LC-MS/MS analysis showed that unsaturated fatty acids C14:1, C17:1, and C22:4 were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Muscle fiber density in the longissimus dorsi increased, whereas shear force, cooking loss, hardness, and chewiness were reduced (p < 0.05). MYH1, MYH2, and MYH7 expression were upregulated by 2.05-, 1.89-, and 2.73-fold, respectively.
Conclusions:
In summary, dietary RPB supplementation was associated with increased IMF deposition, which may contribute to improved meat quality, potentially through modulation of glycerophospholipid metabolism.
