2.2 | Sample preparation
For the different grazing time analysis, fecal samples were collected twice from 12 of the 26 individuals from 3 September (LG1 and G1) and 7 October in 2019 (LG2 and G2). At each of the two time points, six lambs from each treatment were placed in cages before grazing to collect feces. The fresh feces samples from each lamb for each period were collected and were immediately stored at −20°C. Three days of fecal samples were pooled for each lamb during each sampling period and mixed fully as a compound sample for subsequent molecular analysis.
At the end of the experimental period, all lambs were transported to an abattoir and were slaughtered after 24-h fasting by exsanguination from the jugular vein. Within 45 minutes of slaughter, the LD muscle was sampled at the level of the 10–13th rib from the side of the carcass and frozen at -20°C for fatty acid (FA) analysis.