Аннотация
The present study evaluated the effects of a functionally enriched compound feed on growth performance, intramuscular fat deposition, and meat quality characteristics in lambs under intensive finishing conditions. Twenty-four clinically healthy intact male lambs (Suffolk × Kazakh Finewool crossbred) were randomly allocated into two dietary groups (n = 12 per group) and fed for 90 days with either a basal formula (BF) or a functionally enriched formula (EF) according to a two-phase feeding scheme comprising adaptation and finishing periods. The enriched diet was characterized by higher starch content (28.46 vs. 17.55%), lower crude fiber (9.39 vs. 20.24%), and greater metabolizable energy (11.61 vs. 10.44 MJ/kg) compared with the basal diet. The enriched formulation also demonstrated a broader vitamin profile, including substantially higher concentrations of vitamins A and E, as well as B-group vitamins not detected in the basal diet. Lambs receiving the enriched diet demonstrated higher pre-slaughter weight (56.20 vs. 53.00 kg), greater live weight gain (27.50 vs. 24.50 kg), and increased internal fat deposition (1.60 vs. 1.20 kg). Intramuscular fat content determined by Soxhlet extraction increased from 5.48% in the BF group to 8.16% in the EF group, indicating enhanced marbling development. Visual assessment confirmed a more uniform, finely dispersed distribution of intramuscular fat in the enriched diet group. Meat from the EF group exhibited improved color characteristics, including higher lightness and redness values, and reduced oxidative indicators, while postmortem pH remained within the normal physiological range in both groups. Both compound feeds met microbiological safety requirements. The functionally enriched compound feed promoted superior marbling development and improved physicochemical meat quality compared with the basal formulation. These findings indicate that nutritionally optimized compound feeds represent a viable and practical strategy for producing marbled lamb under intensive production systems.