# The Early Methionine Supplementation of Ewe Lambs (F0) Modifies Meat Quality Traits of the Progeny (F1, Male Fattening Lambs)

## TL;DR

Early methionine supplementation in female lambs affects meat quality in their male offspring, increasing redness but reducing tenderness.

## Contribution

Demonstrates intergenerational effects of early methionine supplementation on meat traits in lambs.

## Key findings

- Methionine supplementation in F0 lambs increased meat redness and hardness in F1 male lambs.
- No significant changes in feed efficiency or growth rate were observed in F1 lambs.
- Biochemical differences in serum creatinine and calcium were linked to meat quality changes.

## Abstract

Early feeding strategies of replacement ewe lambs (F0) may promote changes in the germ cells of the gonads from which the gametes will be derived, and, therefore, could cause intergenerational transmission of some traits to the offspring (F1). Accordingly, methionine included in milk replacers supplied to replacement ewe lambs (F0) may benefit both feed efficiency and meat quality of the male offspring (F1). The results demonstrate that feed efficiency of male F1 lambs is not modified by methionine supplied to the dams during the suckling period (F0), but redness as well as hardness of the meat are increased. These results raise concerns about the convenience of supplying methionine during the early life to ewe lambs (F0) kept in the herd for breeding and replacement purposes.

Adequate management of replacement ewe lambs (F0) in dairy sheep farms during postnatal life may modify the germline cells, thus promoting transmission of intergenerational effects to the offspring (F1). To test this hypothesis, 18 newborn male lambs (F1), either born from methionine-supplemented ewe lambs (F0 ewe lambs being fed ad libitum with a milk replacer supplemented with 1 g methionine/kg DM) or not supplemented (F0 ewe lambs being fed ad libitum with the same milk replacer with no methionine added), were included in the present study. All the male F1 lambs were managed exactly in the same way along the whole lifespan in order to bring out the differences caused by methionine supplementation of F0 dams. Our data show that the methionine supplementation of dams (F0) during the suckling period did not promote significant (p > 0.05) changes on feed intake, growth rate, or feed efficiency of F1 male lambs during the fattening period. Moreover, the meat chemical composition (proximal, fatty acid profile, and volatile compounds) was similar for both groups (p > 0.05), but the meat of F1-MET lambs presented higher redness and hardness (p < 0.05) when compared to F1-CTRL lambs. The biochemical profile also highlighted significant (p < 0.05) differences in the serum creatinine and calcium content that may be at least partially related to the meat quality traits observed. Overall, all these results suggest that methionine supplementation of lambs (F0) during early postnatal life causes permanent changes in the offspring. This has positive effects, such as achieving a more attractive color of lamb meat (F1) for consumers, and negative effects, such as reduced meat tenderness.