https://liabjournal.com/index.php/liab <p><strong><em>Letters in Animal Biology</em></strong> (<em>LIAB</em>) is an open access, peer-reviewed international journal that publishes the results of original research pertaining to animal biology. <em>LIAB</em> encompasses a broad range of topics on animal production, health, and welfare along with the fundamental aspects of genetics, physiology, nutrition, medicine, microbiology, biotechnology, biochemistry, reproduction, and animal products. Articles published in <em>LIAB</em> cover research topics on all domestic animals, birds, and companion animals; however, the topics on wildlife species, laboratory animals, and other aquatic species will be considered for publication as long as they have direct or indirect implications on animal production, health, or other biological aspects. <em>LIAB</em> publishes high quality research articles, reviews, short communications, and case reports.</p> Letters in Animal Biology en-US Letters In Animal Biology <p>All the papers accepted for publication in LIAB will be published as open access.</p> https://liabjournal.com/index.php/liab/article/view/102 <div class="page" title="Page 1"> <div class="section"> <div class="layoutArea"> <div class="column"> <p>A ten week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding total mixed rations containing different levels of cactus on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Awassi sheep. Twelve lambs with initial body weight of 28.67±2.29 kg and 120 days average age were distributed in complete randomized design into three dietary groups according to crushed cactus level (T1 = 0%, T2 = 10%, and T3 = 15%) in four replicates. At the end of the feeding period three lambs from each dietary group were randomly slaughtered to determine the carcass characteristics and meat quality. The means of the tested parameters were tested for significance using analysis of variance followed by least significant differences at 95% confidence level. Lambs fed T3 diet showed numerically higher (P &gt; 0.05) total weight gain (15.3 kg) and average daily gain (219.1 g). T2 group had numerically higher (P &gt; 0.05) hind quarter perimeter (D), maximum width carcass (Wr), chest depth (Th), and pelvic limb length (F) than T1 and T3. Left half carcass weight (10.5 kg), anterior rib (8.3%), pelvic limb (36.3%), and first quality (66.4%) were numerically higher (P &gt; 0.05) in T2. Results of meat quality presented numerically higher (P &gt; 0.05) water holding capacity (23.7) and lower cooking loss percent (30.6%) in T3, these results were reflected on sensory evaluation as well where T3 recorded significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) scores in texture and flavor of meat. Therefore, adding crushed cactus up to 15% level in diet of sheep could affect the carcass characteristics and meat quality differently.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> Abubakr Sayed Ali Muzzamil Atta Mutasim B. Mohamed Merriem Fatnassi Huda M. Al- Dosari Hamad S. Al-Shamari Copyright (c) 2023 All the papers accepted for publication in LIAB will be published as open access. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2023-02-24 2023-02-24 06 12 https://liabjournal.com/index.php/liab/article/view/100 <div class="page" title="Page 1"> <div class="section"> <div class="layoutArea"> <div class="column"> <p>A study was conducted on profitable rearing of Large White Yorkshire breed of pigs for the purpose of meat, in Puducherry, a union territory in Southern India with predominately hot and humid climate. A total of four pigs were reared for a period of 90 days in the pig sty unit of the Livestock Farm Complex, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, (RIVER) Puducherry. During the study period, the average body weight gain was 40 kg. The live weights of the four pigs were (i) 50.4 kg (ii) 53 kg (iii) 44 kg (iv) 55 kg. The cumulative feed conversion ratio recorded was 3.165. An average dressing percentage of 71.44% was obtained from the slaughter of the pigs. The data obtained in the current study may be useful as reference values for the scientific pork production as potential entrepreneurship opportunity, as this is the first study of its kind in Large White Yorkshire pig.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> Michelle Rajshree Ananth Kalapala Tanmaie Bhonagiri Vasupavani Cardazo Kerena Benty Dona Daniel Jomon Hitha K Thilak Neha Menon Prabhat Kumar Mandal S Venugopal Copyright (c) 2023 All the papers accepted for publication in LIAB will be published as open access. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2023-01-15 2023-01-15 01 05