At 75 d, 20 rabbits per group, with weights close to the average of
the group (±10%), were selected and slaughtered, under veterinary
supervision of the University of Perugia, in the departmental processing
plant 12 h after feed withdrawal; the animals did not undergo
transport. Specifically, the rabbits were killed by cutting their carotid
arteries and jugular veins following electro-stunning and carcasses
were prepared according to Blasco and Ouhayoun (1996). After carcass
chilling (24 h at+4 °C), the two longissimus lumborum muscles
were removed and carefully freed from connective and adipose
tissues.