Application of multivariate discriminant analysis for differentiation
between Saudi sheep (Ovis aries) breeds based on physical and
histochemical meat characteristics
Gamaleldin M. Suliman , Raed Mahmoud Al-Atiyat , Khaled H. Abu-Alruz , Amer M. Mamkagh ,Firas A. Al-Zyoud , Abdullah N. Al-Owaimer , and Faisal A. Alshamiry
1. Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460,
11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2. Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Science, Agriculture Faculty, Mutah
University, Karak, Jordan; 3. Department of Nutrition and Food Processing, Agriculture Faculty, Mutah University, Karak,
61710, Jordan; 4. Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Karak, 61710, Jordan;
5. Department of Plant Protection and IPM, Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Karak, 61710, Jordan.
Corresponding author: Raed Mahmoud Al-Atiyat, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Co-authors: GMS: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., KHA: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , AMM: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
FiAA: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ANA: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., FaAA: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Received: 24-04-2022, Accepted: 06-10-2022, Published online: 22-11-2022
doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.2665-2672 How to cite this article: Suliman GM, Al-Atiyat RM,
Abu-Alruz KH, Mamkagh AM, AL-Zyoud FA, Al-Owaimer AN, and Alshamiry FA (2022) Application of multivariate
discriminant analysis for differentiation between Saudi sheep (Ovis aries) breeds based on physical and histochemical
meat characteristics, Veterinary World, 15(11): 2665–2672.
Abstract
Background and Aim: The multivariate discriminant (MVD) analysis was a successful statistical tool with a discriminatory
capacity for tracing sheep breeds based on meat characteristics. Thus, this study aimed to identify three Saudi sheep breeds
based on the physical and histochemical aspects of meat using MVD analysis.
Materials and Methods: Eight male lambs from each breed, Najdi, Neami, and Harri, were selected randomly at 90 days of
age and allocated into three groups for breeding in a completely randomized design. The feeding and rearing management
were similar for an experimental period of 90 days. The experimental diet consisted of a concentrated mixture with identical
amounts of calories and nitrogen. Fifty-one meat characteristics were measured in the preliminary MVD, representing hot
and cold carcass weight, meat cuts and quality measures, body component weights, fat deposit weights, and histochemical
characteristics.
Results: Out of the total meat characteristics measured, only 19 characteristics had significant discriminant power. The
most powerful characteristics were temperature, empty intestinal weight, pH24, external carcass length, heart weight, and
L1, based on partial R-square and Wilks’ lambda values. The phenotypic associations between the characteristics had
strong associations. The obtained principal components efficiently classified the eight individuals of each breed into distinct
groups using robust discriminant characteristics.
Conclusion: This method allowed us to determine the breed of sheep carcasses and cuts by considering the physical
characteristics of the meat. Therefore, butchers and consumers should use scientific techniques for assigning carcasses and
meat to their sheep breed after slaughtering.