The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary rumen undegradable protein (RUP) level and rumen protected conjugated linoleic acid (rpCLA) on meat fatty acid (FA) profile, chemical compositions and color parameters of growing kids. Thirty two Kurdish goat kids (13.06±1.08 kg BW) were fed diets differing in RUP level (low=250 vs. high=350 g/kg of dietary CP) supplemented either with 15 g/kg rpCLA or 12 g/kg of hydrogenated soybean oil (HSO) for 80 days. Interaction of dietary rpCLA and RUP level had no effect on hot carcass weight, dressing and cut percentage and meat chemical composition and color parameters. Meat total saturated FA (SFA), monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) concentrations were not influenced by experimental diets, whereas, kids fed diets supplemented with rpCLA had lower meat total SFA and higher PUFA concentrations compared to those fed diets supplemented with HSO. The concentration of meat trans11 8:1 were not influenced by rpCLA supplementation, RUP level and their interaction. Kids fed diets containing rpCLA supplementation had higher meat total conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomers compared to those fed diets containing HSO supplementation. Desaturase indexes of C14, C16 and C18 were not influenced by rpCLA supplementation, RUP level and their interaction. It is concluded that supplementing growing kids diets with RUP and 15 g/kg rpCLA not only decreased meat fat content but also increased some FAs considered to be of potential benefit to human health.
