The body fat distribution and fatty acid composition of muscles and adipose tissues in geese

In this study, we evaluated the body fat distribution and fatty acid composition of muscles and adipose tissues of Yangzhou geese, including thirty 60-day-old goslings (15 males and 15 females) and 20 320-day-old geese (10 males and 10 females). Adipose tissues of Yangzhou geese were distributed widely and could be divided into 5 types: subcutaneous fat, abdominal fat, sartorial fat, neck fat, and mesenteric fat. Higher contents of abdominal fat, sartorial fat, neck fat, and mesenteric fat but a lower content of subcutaneous fat were found in adult geese than in goslings (P ≤ 0.05). Adult female geese deposited more fat than adult male geese (P ≤ 0.05). No difference was found in the fat distribution and fat content between male and female goslings (P > 0.05). The breast muscle of adult geese was characterized by a higher content of total monounsaturated fatty acids (ΣMUFAs) and a lower content of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ΣPUFAs n-6) than that of goslings (P ≤ 0.05). Lower concentrations of total saturated fatty acids and ΣPUFA were found in adult female geese than in female goslings (P ≤ 0.05). In comparison with adult female geese, the breast muscle of adult male geese had higher total saturated fatty acids and stearic acid (P ≤ 0.05). For the thigh muscle, adult female geese had a higher ΣMUFAs content than adult male geese (P ≤ 0.05). In adipose tissues, adult geese had a higher Σn-6/Σn-3 ratio but had lower contents of erucic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, docosatetraenoic acid, and ΣPUFA n-3 than goslings, and adult female geese had a higher ΣMUFAs content than adult male geese (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, adult geese, especially adult female geese, accumulated more fat than goslings. Both age and sex affected the fatty acid composition of muscles and adipose tissues in geese. This research provides essential information not only for the nutritional evaluation of geese but also for the consumption and processing of goose products.