The Effect of the Inclusion of Different Concentrates in Feed Rations on the Contents of Tocopherols, β-Carotene and Retinol in the Livers and Longissimus dorsi Muscles of Farm-Raised Fallow Deer (Dama dama L.)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In many countries, the main source of venison is game shooting, but deer farming is growing intensively, partly as a consequence of greater interest in alternative meat species. The meat of cervids, including fallow deer, has a desirable, beneficial basic chemical composition, but there is little information on the concentrations of biologically active compounds (β-carotene, retinol and tocopherols). In the present study, we evaluated the contents of β-carotene, retinol and tocopherols, as well as the basic chemical compositions, of the meat and livers of fallow deer fed rations based on hay with different concentrated feeds (oat grain, protein concentrate and pellets). More retinol was contained in the livers and meat of fallow deer fed rations with protein concentrate or pellets (experimental groups) than in the livers and meat of fallow deer fed rations with oat grain (the control group). The proportions of the different concentrated feeds did not affect the basic chemical compositions and tocopherol contents in the fallow deer meat and livers. Based on our results, it was concluded that protein concentrate and pellets can be valuable components in the rations of farmed fallow deer. ABSTRACT: This study analyzed the chemical composition and contents of β-carotene, tocopherols and retinol in the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles and livers of fallow deer (Dama dama L.) fed diets based on hay containing different concentrates (hay and oats—HO; hay, oats and protein concentrate—HOP; hay and pellets—HP). The provitamin and lipophilic vitamin contents in the samples of feed and animal tissues were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The contents of retinol were nearly two-fold higher (p < 0.002) in the livers and many-fold higher in the LD muscles of fallow deer fed the HOP and HP diets. β-carotene was not identified in the livers or LD muscles of fallow deer. The concentrations of α-tocopherol and total tocopherols were higher in the livers and LD muscles of the animals that received the HO and HP diets, but the noted differences were not significant. The inclusion of various concentrates in the feed rations had no influence on the proximate chemical compositions of the livers or LD muscles of fallow deer.