Abstract: The effects of slaughter age and sex on lamb meat performance and quality of Poll Dorset × Small Tail Han Sheep F1 were studied. Five male lambs, 5 female lambs of 7monthold and 5 male lambs of 13monthold, fed under the same feeding conditions, were slaughtered to study slaughter characteristics and meat quality. The live weight and carcass weight of the 13monthold lamb were higher 41.85%（P<0.01）and 56.51%（P<0.01）than that of the 7monthold respectively. The dressing percentage of 13monthold lamb was significantly higher than 7 months (P<0.05), it showed that 13monthold lamb on slaughter characteristics was higher very markedly than 7monthold. The lean meat weight, eye muscle area and meatbone ratio were higher 30.40% (P<0.01), 30.04% (P<0.01) and 15.56%(P<0.05) than that of the 7monthold respectively. The GR value and fat weight of 13monthold were higher 117.23% (P<0.01) and 263.40% (P<0.01) than 7monthold lamb. The shear force value, drip loss, collagen content and muscle fiber diameter of 13monthold were significantly higher than 7monthold Lamb (P<0.05). The live and carcass weight of male lamb were higher markedly than female (P<0.05), but the fat percentage of female was significantly higher 11.96% (P<0.05) and 14.36% (P<0.05) than that of male. Results showed that slaughter age markedly affected slaughter characteristics and meat quality of lamb, and sex affected slaughter characteristics of lamb. 

Key words: Poll Dorset×Small Tail Han sheep; slaughter characteristics; meat quality; age; sex