The effects of quercetin supplementation on New Zealand White grower rabbit carcass and meat quality – A short communication

Abstract Control and quercetin dihydrate-supplemented (2 g/kg) feeds were fed to 32 New Zealand White rabbits (both sexes) from 5 to 12 weeks old. Slaughter weight, carcass and organ weights, meat yields and physical and proximate meat quality were determined. Quercetin increased the hindleg meat:bone ratio ( P P  = .01), contrary to the current understanding of the effect of quercetin on the skeletal system. However, this and the increase in skin weight ( P  = .03) may have been due to the effects of quercetin on connective tissue. Sex affected spleen weight ( P  = .04; female > male), head weight ( P female), reference carcass yield ( P  = .02, female > male) and loin pH u ( P  = .02; male > female), without commercial implications. Other physical and chemical meat quality traits were not affected by diet or sex.