Department of Veterinary, Islamic Azad University Abhar Branch, Abhar, Iran
Abstract
Environmental temperature effects on poultry meat quality were evaluated during warm and cold weather in a slaughterhouse which located in Zanjan province. After slaughtering, 150 carcasses in sum were randomly collected. During winter (n=75) and summer (n=75) seasons. Immediately after slaughtering, sampling was performed to histopathologic study and 24 h after slaughtering; pectoralis major muscle was used for other testes. Meanwhile, pectoralis minor was used for fat, protein, moisture, and ash measurement. Pectoral muscle showed lower pH chemically and higher moisture histologically. These variabledidn’t show any difference among different weight groups. At last, a positive correlation was seen between environmental temperature and lower pH, and higher muscular moisture (p≤0.001). The results, suggested that poultries’ muscles accumulate more water during warm season which results in lower performance.
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