Carotenoids and Liposoluble Vitamins in the Plasma and Tissues of Light Lambs Given Different Maternal Feedings and Fattening Concentrates

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Meat of lambs that grazed with their dams during lactation on sainfoin had longer shelf-life than that of lambs whose dams grazed on alfalfa or received straw and concentrates (intensive). This effect could be partially ascribed to a different deposition of carotenoids and tocopherols in the muscle, that could be in turn affected by condensed tannins, secondary compounds of plants with antioxidant activity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate: (1) the effect of maternal feeding (sainfoin, alfalfa, intensive) on the presence of carotenoids and liposoluble vitamins in the plasma and tissues of light lambs after a finishing period on concentrates with or without quebracho (as source of condensed tannins); and (2) the authentication of the maternal feeding using the carotenoids and tocopherols in plasma and tissues. Grazing on alfalfa and sainfoin during suckling affected the concentrations in plasma at weaning, and some of the contents in the tissues even after the concentrate feeding period. Unexpectedly, the inclusion of quebracho in the concentrate decreased the α- and γ-tocopherol content in the lamb tissues. The use of carotenoids and tocopherols has to be combined with other analytes to authenticate the feeding system during the suckling period after a finishing period. ABSTRACT: The carotenoids and liposoluble vitamins in the plasma and tissues of the lambs under different maternal feedings and fattening concentrates was studied. During lactation, 21 lambs were housed with their dams, that received a total mixed ration (intensive); 21 ewe–lamb pairs grazed on alfalfa; and 21 pairs grazed on sainfoin. After weaning, half of the lambs in each maternal feeding group received a commercial concentrate (control) and the other half a concentrate with quebracho (Schinopsis balansae), as a source of condensed tannins, until they were slaughtered (23 kg). The analyte concentrations in the plasma of lambs at weaning reflected the content in the feedstuffs. Grazing during suckling more than doubled the contents of lutein in the liver and retinol in the tissues compared to the intensive feeding. The content of α-tocopherol in the tissues was greatest in sainfoin lambs, intermediate in alfalfa lambs, and lowest in the intensive lambs. The quebracho concentrate decreased α-tocopherol (by 41–81%) and γ-tocopherol (by 65–89%) contents in the lamb tissues. The use of the analytes in the plasma at weaning correctly classified 100% of the lambs into the maternal feeding (intensive vs. grazing (alfalfa + sainfoin)) but has to be improved in the carcass and tissues separately.