Ludmila Couto Gomes

Effects of dietary energy levels using calcium salts of fatty acids on nutritive value of diets and milk quality in peripartum dairy goats

Peripartum is a critical period for dairy goats, as dry matter intake (DMI) is not enough to supply the energy requirement for foetal growth and subsequent lactation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) to increase dietary energy level of peripartum dairy goats and its effects on nutritive value of diets and milk quality. Twenty multiparous Saanen goats (body weight 63.5±10.3 kg) were distributed in a completely randomised design in four treatments at the following dietary energy levels: 2.6 Mcal of metabolisable energy per kg of dry matter (Mcal ME/kg DM) - control diet; and 2.7, 2.8, and 2.9 Mcal/kg DM - with added CSFA. Goats were housed in individual stalls and evaluated in the peripartum period, by measuring body weight (BW), DMI, dry matter and nutrient digestibility of diets, blood composition, and milk quality and yield. Increasing dietary energy level to 2.9 Mcal ME/kg DM had no effect on BW and did not limit DMI. CSFA supplementation increased intake of total digestible nutrients and did not affect fibre digestion. Blood triglycerides and cholesterol concentration increased with CSFA addition. The treatments had no effect on milk yield and composition; however, CSFA supplementation changed the fatty acid concentration of milk fat, increasing levels of polyunsaturated and essential fatty acids. In conclusion, peripartum dairy goats supplemented with CSFA to increase dietary energy level up to 2.9 Mcal ME/kg DM had a greater supply of total digestible nutrients and showed altered fatty acid concentration of milk fat.

Performance of lactating goats fed diets containing inactive dry yeast

Twenty-four Saanen goats (15 multiparous and 9 primiparous) from 21 days prepartum to 200 days in lactation were used to evaluate milk yield and composition. Animals were randomly distributed in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (3 diets × 2 parity orders) and fed a 40:60 forage:concentrate diet composed of soybean meal, soybean meal + dry yeast or dry yeast as protein source, plus ground corn, mineral supplement and corn silage. The protein source did not influence the body weight of pre and postpartum goats. Prepartum, postpartum and postpeak dry matter intake (DMI) were not altered by diets. However, goats fed the diet containing dry yeast as protein source had lower DMI in late lactation. Milk yield and feed efficiency were not affected by diets. Milk components, acidity and somatic cell count were not influenced by diets during all lactation phases. However, fat and total solid contents postpartum were higher for primiparous goats and somatic cell count postpeak was lower for multiparous goats. Dry yeast can be used to replace soybean meal in diets for lactating Saanen goats.

Intelligent behavior in a Cyber-Ambient training system for control center operators

This paper deals with the application of an intelligent tutoring approach to delivery training in diagnosis procedures of a Power System. In particular, the mechanisms implemented by the training tool to support the trainees are detailed. This tool is part of an architecture conceived to integrate Power Systems tools in a Power System Control Centre, based on an Ambient Intelligent paradigm. The present work is integrated in the CITOPSY project which main goal is to achieve a better integration between operators and control room applications, considering the needs of people, customizing requirements and forecasting behaviors.

Nutritive value of diets containing inactive dry yeast for lactating Saanen goats

Twenty-four Saanen goats, 15 multiparous and nine primiparous, were distributed in a completely randomised design in a factorial arrangement (3 diets × 2 parities). The treatments were soybean meal (SB), soybean + dry yeast (SBDY), or dry yeast (DY) as a protein source in the diet, and ground corn, mineral supplement, and corn silage (400 g/kg). The study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of diets containing inactive dry yeast as a protein source postpartum, postpeak, and during late lactation in dairy goats. To estimate the faecal excretion of indigestible material, neutral detergent fibre was used as an internal marker. The diets did not affect dry matter intake (DMI). However, DMI and nutrient intake were higher for multiparous goats compared with primiparous goats. The digestibility of dry matter and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were higher for primiparous goats in the postpartum period. In the postpeak and late lactation periods, there were no differences in digestibility of DM and nutrient between parities. The TDN was similar in the diets in the postpeak period and at lactation end. The goats fed the DY diet had lower urea nitrogen in blood. The use of inactive dry yeast to substitute soybean meal in diets for primiparous and multiparous lactating Saanen goats is a good alternative for maintaining the nutritional value of diets.

INCLUSION OF PROTECTED FAT IN DIETS ON THE MILK PRODUCTION AND COMPOSITION OF SAANEN GOATS

According on the fat source included in the diets for goats, the milk production can be increased and milk fatty acid composition can be improved. This study was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of protected fat (CSFA - calcium salts of fatty acids) in the diets of lactating Saanen goats on milk production and composition. Five Saanen goats (63.23 ± 9.08 kg body weight and 105 ± 3 days of lactation) were distributed in a Latin square design (5 × 5) with five diets: control (without the addition of CSFA) and the other diets with: 6.25, 12.50, 18.75 and 25.0 g CSFA per kg dry matter (g/kg DM), respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production (MP) were evaluated. Milk samples were collected to determine milk composition and fatty acid profile. Feed efficiency (FE) was estimated. The supplementation of CSFA up to 25 g/kg DM did not influence the DMI, MP and FE. Milk components production (g/d) was not influenced by the inclusion CSFA in the diet; however, there was a linear reduction of 0.87 g protein per kg of milk for each 1% CSFA included in the diet. The concentration of linolenic acid (18:3n-3) in milk was improved with a maximum point of 24 g of CSFA per kg DM. CSFA can be included in the diets of lactating Saanen goats up to 25 g/kg DM with no interference on DMI and MP.

Lactation curves and economic results of Saanen goats fed increasing dietary energy levels obtained by the addition of calcium salts of fatty acids

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) to increase the dietary energy levels for Saanen goats and their effects on the lactation curve, dry matter intake, body weight, and economic results of the goats. Twenty multiparous goats, weighing an average of 63.5±10.3 kg, were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, each receiving one of the following dietary energy levels: a control diet consisting of 2.6 Mcal of metabolizable energy per kg of dry matter (Mcal ME/kg DM) or a test diet supplemented with CSFA (Lactoplus®) to obtain 2.7, 2.8, or 2.9 Mcal ME/kg DM. Goats were housed in individual stalls and were fed and milked twice daily. The animals were evaluated until 180 days in milk by measuring dry matter intake and milk yield. These measurements were used to calculate feed efficiencies and the cost-benefit ratio of diet and lactation curves using Woods nonlinear model. Increasing dietary energy levels showed no effect on body weight. Supplementation with CSFA did not limit dry matter intake; however, it changed the shape of the lactation curve by promoting a late peak lactation with a longer duration. Milk yields at 180 days in milk had a quadratic increase with a maximum energy level at 2.85 Mcal ME/kg DM. Increasing the dietary energy level for Saanen goats using CSFA changes their lactation curves, with the best milk production achieved with a 2.85 Mcal ME/kg DM diet; however, the greatest economic results were obtained with a 2.7 Mcal ME/kg DM diet.

Effect of inactive dry yeast from sugar cane as protein source on rumen fermentation in Saanen goats

Five castrated and ruminally cannulated Saanen goats (±48.19kg) were used to evaluate intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters of diets with inactive dry yeast as a soybean meal substitute (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%). Goats were randomly assigned to a 5×5 (five levels of dry yeast x five periods) Latin square design. Diets were composed of corn silage (40%), ground corn, soybean meal and/or dry yeast and mineral supplement. The intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and TC were not influenced by the treatments. However, EE intake showed negative linear effect. The TDN content did not change with the inclusion of dry yeast in the diets. The pH, N-NH3 concentration and rumen short-chain fatty acids content did not differ among diets. Rumen content scanning electron microscopy observations did not suggest microbial colonization and degradation changes. Dry yeast from sugar cane can replace soybean meal in diets for Saanen goats without changing the rumen fermentation pattern, intake and digestibility.

Características de carcaça de cabritos criados em dois sistemas de terminação

Was evaluated carcass characteristics of feedlot goats Saanen, Saanen and 7/8 Boer - 1/8 Saanen semi-confined, as well as the influence of the genetic groups and finishing systems on the commercial performance, compactness index, not constituents, area ribeye, shear force, fat, moisture and ether extract content. Were used 31 bulls, with approximately 128 days of age and 22.9±2.4kg live weight (LW). Of these, 22 were Saanen, and nine animals were crossbred 7/8 Boer - 1/8 Saanen. The Saanen animals were divided into two groups of 11 animals each, one group and another kept in a feedlot in semiconfinement, while crossbreds were kept in semiconfinement. Was compared the finishing systems in Saanen, and genetic groups in semi-confined system. The confined animals received 3.5% of LW in complete pelleted ration, the semiconfinados had access to pasture and supplementation of 1.5% of LW in pelleted concentrate ration. At 47 days of terminating the animals were slaughtered and the carcass characteristics determined using a sample loin dissected. Differences were observed between finishing systems for commercial carcass yield, carcass compactness index, not constituents carcass, loin eye area, shear force, fat, moisture and ether extract. Between genetic groups, differences were observed for ribeye area, fat thickness and mineral matter. The finishing system exerted influence on carcass traits evaluated. The Saanen can be used for the production of meat when subjected to confinement.

VALOR NUTRITIVO DE DIETAS COM LEVEDURA SECA INATIVA PARA CABRAS SAANEN NO PERIPARTO

The aim was to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by inactive dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) from sugar cane on nutritive value of diets for Saanen goats in the peripartum. Twenty-four Saanen goats (nine primiparous, 55.35 ± 4.55 kg and fifteen multiparous, 73.12 ± 8.51 kg) in prepartum and postpartum periods were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 (diet × parturition order) factorial arrangement. Diets were composed of soybean meal, soybean meal plus dry yeast or dry yeast as protein source, and other ingredients: ground corn, mineral supplement and limestone. The roughage source used was the whole plant corn silage (40% of the total diet). Diets were evaluated as dry matter intake and digestibility of nutrients. The diet with total dry yeast inclusion promoted a reduction on the ether extract intake (postpartum) and ether extract digestibility (prepartum and postpartum), due its lower ether extract content when compared to the other diets. Multiparous goats presented higher intakes for dry matter, nutrients and total digestible nutrients in both evaluated periods due their higher intake capacity. Primiparous goats in postpartum had better coefficients of digestibility for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and total carbohydrates, and so a higher energetic value, attributed to total digestible nutrients compared to multiparous ones. Dry yeast can replace soybean meal with no changes on nutritive value of diets for Saanen goats.

Effect of calcium salts of fatty acids on the nutritive value of diets, feeding behavior, and serum blood parameters of lactating Saanen goats grazing on stargrass

The objective of this study was to determine effects of the addition of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) to the concentrate on the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients and the grazing behavior of lactating Saanen goats. Five multiparous goats in their third lactation and four primiparous goats were used. The animals were distributed into two Latin square designs, which, for the multiparous goats was 5 × 5, with five treatments (0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, and 6.0% CSFA); and for the primiparous goats was 4 × 4, with four treatments (0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% CSFA). The addition of CSFA to the concentrate of lactating Saanen goats did not influence the time spent grazing, ruminating, or lying for multiparous goats. However, for primiparous goats, for the time spent grazing, there was a negative quadratic effect with the addition of CSFA to the concentrate. The treatments did not affect the intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fiber carbohydrates, or total digestible nutrients for multiparous goats. No effects were observed on nutrient digestibility, except for crude protein and the ether extract, which increased the energy values of the diets with 3.5% CSFA. For primiparous goats, no effects were observed on intake or digestibility. Addition of CSFA can be used as an alternative to feed primiparous goats in grassland when the grazing time is a factor limiting intake. Addition of up to 3.5% of CSFA increases the energy value of diets for multiparous goats. These results suggest that calcium salts of fatty acids is an alternative energy supplement to feed lactating goats.