At 42 d, 1 bird per replicate was randomly selected
and weighed after feed deprivation for 12 h. Individual
blood samples were taken via brachial vein puncture
using a syringe, and serum was separated by centrifugation
at 370 × g for 15 min at 4°C. Serum samples
were frozen at −20°C for further analysis. After that,
all birds were killed by exsanguination immediately.
Then, the abdominal fat was collected and weighed.
After that, within 10 min postmortem, all the right
entire pectoralis majors were collected for the determination
of meat quality. Parts of the pectoralis major
samples were cut from the same location, quickly frozen
in liquid nitrogen, and then kept at −80°C for further
analysis.