THE INFLUENCE OF THE SLAUGHTER AGE ON THE HISTOLOGICAL PARTICULARITIES ON GRAY GUINEA FOWL (NUMIDA MELEAGRIS)

D.C. Roşca, Ştefania Elida Jitariuc (Sava), M.G. Usturoi, R.M. Radu-Rusu

Abstract
   Nowadays, more and more producers and processors around the world are concerned about ways in which they can make high quality food, in economic conditions. The aim of the research consists in studying elements related to the morphology and structural aspects of some muscles taken from the pectoral musculature of the guinea fowls males, traits that directly affect the trophic-biological properties of the poultry meat.
   In Pectoralis major muscle cells for the samples issued from the birds slaughtered at 77 days thickness varied between 38.21 µm and 60.33 µm, resulting an average diameter of 48.55±0.40 µm. The values for the next group of samples (84 days), ranged from 40.03 µm to 62.39 µm resulting an average of 51.18±0.38 µm. The 3^rd of samples (91 days-slaughter), provided us an average of 53.88±0.43 µm, based on a minimum value of 42.93 µm and a maximum value of 68.55 µm. The bundle cross section area of the 1^st order muscle showed us values of 56343.48±1658.49 μm² on the samples collected on day 77, followed by a bit higher value of 59597.76±1638.76 μm² on the samples colleted on day 84; the highest value was recorded on day 91, more precisely, 62911.75±1790.08 μm².
   The histological findings suggest that the meat of Pectoralis major muscles from guinea fowls slaughtered at the age of 77 days had a better texture, with thinner cells and less connective tissue, therefore a better sensorial quality.

Key words: guinea fowl, density, muscles, pectoralis, myocites