Effect of castration at different ages on growth and carcass characteristics of Kilis goats: Physicochemical changes and fatty acid profile of meat

In this study, the effects of castration at different months of age on carcass and meat characteristics in goats reared under semi-extensive prolonged fattening conditions were investigated. Area of study: The experiment was conducted in the Yayladag & imath; district of Hatay province, Turkiye. Material and methods: The experiment was conducted with 48 male goats from the Kilis goat breed randomly allocated to 4 groups of 12 individuals each. Intact goats (uncastrated goats) functioned as the control group. Each of the other 3 groups was castrated using burdizzo forceps at the 4(th), 6(th), and 8(th) months after birth. During the experiment, all goats were exposed to the same management and feeding conditions. The effects of castration age on growth, carcass and slaughter parameters, as well as the muscle characteristics of the Longissimus thoracis, Semitendinosus, Psoas major, Triceps brachii, and Vastus lateralis were investigated. Main results: At the end of the fattening period, castration at 4-months age increased the weight of muscle tissue (P <0.05) and fat deposition (P <0.001). Additionally, an increase in intramuscular fat and tenderness of the meat, and a decrease in redness and cooking loss were observed with castration at 6-months age (P <0.05). Despite the increase in adiposity with early castration, the oleic acid and the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (UFA:SFA), hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic index (h/H) and Delta(9) desaturase index of the meat tended to increase as the castration age decreased. In conclusion, the most appropriate castration age is at 6-months in terms of growth performance and at 4-and/or 6-months in terms of meat quality. Research highlights: Castration of goats at the correct age plays a crucial role in managing herd dynamics, enhancing meat quality, improving efficiency, and meeting market demands in goat farming.