RELATIONSHIP OF BACKFAT THICKNESS AND RIBEYE ECHOGENICITY TO HEPATIC AND SPLENIC ECHOGENICITY IN CROSSBRED CATTLE (Bos indicus L.) AND WATER BUFFALO (Bubalus bubalis L.)

Abstract

Philipp J Vet Anim Sci 2013, 39 (2): 219-228

Twelve two-year-old crossbred cattle (Brahman x Philippine Native) and crossbred water buffalo (Bulgarian Murrah x Philippine Carabao), with ideal body condition scores were used to determine the relationship between backfat thickness (BFT) and ribeye (RE) echogenicity to liver and spleen echogenicities. BFT and RE were examined between the 12th-13th rib of the left side of the animal using a 5.0 MHz linear transducer whereas the liver and spleen were scanned at the right 11th-12th intercostal space (ICS) and left 10th-12th ICS, respectively, using a 3.5 MHz convex transducer. The mean BFT was 1.867 cm for cattle and 1.683 cm for water buffaloes. A strong negative correlation was determined between echo mean values of back fat and spleen in water buffalo, while a weak positive relationship was found between RE and liver and spleen in cattle (P<0.05). No significant association was found between BFT and echo mean values of liver and spleen in cattle and water buffaloes. The results of this study can be used as reference for backfat thickness monitoring for both cattle and water buffalo in the Philippines and also serve as a guide for the features and echogenicities of backfat, ribeye, liver and spleen for both cattle and water buffalo fed with the same ration.