Nellore and Canchim bulls fed diets supplemented with vitamins D and E

ABSTRACT. This experiment was conducted at Unesp feedlot facility, campus of Botucatu, and aimed to evaluate the supplementation of D and E vitamins on animal performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of yearling bulls finished in feedlot. Thirty-six 7-mo-old yearling bulls, 18 Nellore (NEL) and 18 Canchim (CAC), with average initial body weight of 234.53 ± 22.15 and 248.13 ± 34.67 kg, respectively, were fed for 126 days. Nine NEL and nine CAC yearling bulls were daily supplemented with 1300 IU of vitamin E and 7.5 x 106 IU of vitamin D3 for 67 days and 10 days before slaughter, respectively. One day before slaughter, blood samples were collected for evaluation of Ca concentration. After chilling, Longissimus muscle (LM) samples were collected for analysis of shear force, myofibrillar fragmentation index, total lipids, D and E vitamins concentrations, and meat shelf life. An increased level of plasma Ca (p < 0.01) was observed due to vitamin supplementation, showing the action of vitamin D on the animal organism. However, there was no effect (p> 0.05) of vitamins D and E on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality