EN
Lipid profile of intramuscular fat (IMF) from semitendinosus muscle of lambs was examined in relation to the intensity of fattening system, animals’ final body weight and sex. Conducted were two repeations of fattening (2 x 32 lambs) each based on intensive (IN, 16 lambs) vs. semi-intensive (SIN, 16 lambs) feeding system, continued up to lower vs. higher slaughter weight, and with reference to sex. Owing to a higher content of C18:0 and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) the IMF of IN lambs showed more favourable lipid profile than that of SIN animals. More favourable FA profile was recorded of the IMF from the lambs fattened to lower weight categories in comparison to those fattened to higher categories of weight (higher PUFA content). When fattening the rams to higher body weight than the ewes, it was found that their IMF was distinguished by more favourable parameters of health quality (more C18:0 and PUFA). The system of fattening, final weight category and sex did not differentiate CLA and cholesterol content of the IMF examined. The IMF had distinctly more favourable fatty acid profile as compared to the non-tissue depot fats, i.e. external and intermuscular. In the studies on the improvement of health quality of meat, the optimization of the participation of the particular types of fat tissue in culinary cuts of the carcass should be considered.