Patrícia Guimarães Pimentel

Intake, apparent digestibility and ingestion behavior in Holstein steers fed diets containing Tifton 85 hay with different particle sizes.

The intake, the apparent digestibility of nutrients and the ingestion behavior of four Holstein steers with average weight of 300 kg and 20 months of age, receiving diets containing Tifton 85 hay with different particle sizes (5, 7, 10 mm and whole) were evaluated. A 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design with four steers and four periods was used. Intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, total carbohydrates and non-structural carbohydrates were not influenced by the different granulometric profiles of the experimental diets. The DM digestibility were different between diets with particles size of 7 and 10 mm (67.31 and 54.95%, respectively). However, these diets were similar to that with 5 mm of particle size and whole hay, which showed intermediate values, with mean of 63.62%. The total feeding time of the animals that received diets with particles size of 7, 10 mm and whole did not differ. The Tifton 85 hay with different particles size did not affect the intake, digestibility of nutrients and the ingestion behavior of Holstein steers fed total mixed ration.

Cinética ruminal da fração fibrosa de volumosos para ruminantes

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram a caracterizacao e a determinacao das estimativas dos parâmetros relativos a cinetica de degradacao ruminal da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) dos fenos de mata pasto, juazeiro, mororo, aveia e Tifton 85 e silagens de milho, sorgo e palma forrageira. Foram determinados a composicao quimico-bromatologica, os coeficientes de degradacao e o efeito de replecao ruminal da FDN. As caracteristicas quimico-bromatologicas dos alimentos avaliados apresentaram variacoes em seus componentes nutricionais. A fracao insoluvel potencialmente degradavel da FDN, correspondente a fracao B2 dos alimentos estudados, apresentou degradacao variavel. Os fenos de mata pasto, juazeiro e mororo apresentaram menores valores para a fracao potencialmente degradavel. As silagens de milho e sorgo apresentaram uma pequena variacao para a fracao potencialmente degradavel e para a fracao indigestivel, assim como, para a taxa de degradacao da FDN potencialmente digestivel. O maior tempo de retencao total foi observado para mata pasto, juazeiro e mororo, seguidos pelas silagens, sendo constatados para os fenos de aveia e Tifton 85 os menores valores para esta variavel. As forrageiras de regioes semiaridas avaliadas (mata pasto, juazeiro e mororo) podem limitar o consumo de materia seca devido aos menores valores da fracao potencialmente degradavel e maiores valores da fracao indigestivel. O efeito de replecao ruminal da FDN e determinado pela integracao de varias caracteristicas da fibra. Dessa maneira, nao se pode atribuir a toda e qualquer fonte de fibra as mesmas inferencias restritivas a limitacao fisica de consumo.

Intake and feeding behaviour of Morada Nova lambs fed different energy levels

The effects of metabolizable energy levels were evaluated on nutrient intake and ingestive behaviour in Morada Nova lambs. Forty Morada Nova lambs were used with an initial weight of 12.2±2.05 kg. Five treatments were defined according to the metabolizable energy levels (0.96, 1.28, 1.72, 2.18 and 2.62 Mcal/kg DM). The experimental model was a randomized block design. Linear effect (P<0.0001) of ME levels was determined for dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) in g/day. Quadratic effect was determined for NDF (P<0.017) and carbohydrate intake (P<0.003). Linear effect was determined for digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, TC and NFC. Eating, ruminating and total chewing times, expressed in hours/day, decreased linearly (P<0.0001) with the energy levels of experimental diets. Idle time increased linearly (P<0.0001) with the increase of energy levels of the rations. Feeding and rumination efficiencies were influenced by the energy levels (P<0.0001) when expressed in g DM/h. The number of ruminal boluses, number of chews and chews per ruminal bolus were not affected by the levels of ME. However, time spent chewing per ruminal bolus was influenced (P<0.0014). Increase in ME levels of diets influences nutrient intake and feeding behaviour of Morada Nova lambs during the growing period.

Composição corporal e exigências líquidas proteicas de ovinos Santa Inês em crescimento

This study evaluated the effect of different dietary levels of metabolizable energy on the body composition and net protein requirements of 24 Santa Ines non-castrated growing sheep at average age of 50 days and average body weight of 13.00 ± 0.56 kg. After a ten-day adaptation period, four animals were slaughtered to be used as a reference for estimates of empty body weight (EBW) and initial body composition of the other animals. The remaining animals were assigned into a randomized block design with diets containg different levels of metabolizable energy (2.08; 2.28; 2.47 and 2.69 Mcal/kg of DM) and crude protein (12.74; 14.36, 15.97 and 17.65% CP of DM) with five replicates. The N daily excretion was estimated by extrapolating regression equations of N intake (g/kg BW0.75/day) in function of retention (g/kg BW0.75/day) for zero intake. The derivative regression of the logarithm of protein content in function of the logarithm of EBW enabled the estimation of net protein requirement for empty body weight gain (EBWG). Daily nitrogen excretion was 277 ± 0.05 mg/kg BW0.75/day and net protein requirement for maintenance was 1.73 g/kg BW0.75/day. Protein content of EBW of animals decreased from 157.83 to 144.33 g/kg of EBW when the BW of the animals increased from 15 to 30 kg, respectively. The amount of protein deposited in the gain decreased from 137.47 to 125.71 g/kg of EBWG with the increase of body weight of the animals from 15 to 30 kg, respectively. Nitrogen fecal excretion and protein net requirement for maintenance of Santa Ines growing lambs was lower than the values commonly cited by the main systems of feed evaluation and nutrient requirements for small ruminants.

Consumo de nutrientes e comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros da raça Santa Inês alimentados com rações com diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável

The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutrient intake and ingestive behavior of growing Santa Ines lambs fed different levels of metabolizable energy (ME). It was used 20 non-castrated lambs at 50 days of age and with 13.00 ± 0.56 kg of body weight. The animals were distributed into four experimental treatments with different levels of metabolizable energy (2.08, 2.28, 2.47 and 2.69 Mcal/kg of dry matter) in a randomized block design with five replications. It was used as roughage tifton hay added to concentrate diet. Levels of metabolizable energy (ME) linearly affected intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, no-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients, expressed in g/day. The NDF intake, expressed as % BW and kg/BW0.75, decreased linearly with the increase of levels of energy in the diet due to the reduction in NDF content in the total dietary dry matter. Feeding and total chewing time, expressed in hour/day, decreased linearly with the energy levels of the experimental diets. However, idle time increased linearly, whereas rumination was not influenced by energy levels of the diets. Number of ruminate boli, of ruminating chews, of ruminating chews per bolus and time of chewing per bolus were not influenced by levels of metabolizable energy in the diets. Increase in metabolizable energy levels of diets affects intake of nutrients and ingestive behavior of growing Santa Ines lambs.The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutrient intake and ingestive behavior of growing Santa Ines lambs fed different levels of metabolizable energy (ME). It was used 20 non-castrated lambs at 50 days of age and with 13.00 ± 0.56 kg of body weight. The animals were distributed into four experimental treatments with different levels of metabolizable energy (2.08, 2.28, 2.47 and 2.69 Mcal/kg of dry matter) in a randomized block design with five replications. It was used as roughage tifton hay added to concentrate diet. Levels of metabolizable energy (ME) linearly affected intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, no-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients, expressed in g/day. The NDF intake, expressed as % BW and kg/BW0.75, decreased linearly with the increase of levels of energy in the diet due to the reduction in NDF content in the total dietary dry matter. Feeding and total chewing time, expressed in hour/day, decreased linearly with the energy levels of the experimental diets. However, idle time increased linearly, whereas rumination was not influenced by energy levels of the diets. Number of ruminate boli, of ruminating chews, of ruminating chews per bolus and time of chewing per bolus were not influenced by levels of metabolizable energy in the diets. Increase in metabolizable energy levels of diets affects intake of nutrients and ingestive behavior of growing Santa Ines lambs.

Intake, apparent nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of sheep fed cashew nut meal

The objective of this work was to evaluate intake, nutrient apparent digestibility and ingestive behavior of sheep fed rations with cashew nut meal (CNM) at the levels of 0; 10; 20 and 30% in the concentrate ration. It was used a double 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design. Intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein, mineral matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients were not influenced by the addition of CNM, however, intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber and total carbohydrates presented a quadratic behavior with the increase of content of lipids in the ration. Apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, NDF, acid detergent fiber and non-fibrous carbohydrates was not influenced by the addition of CNM in the rations; however digestibility of ether extract and total carbohydrates presented quadratic and linear behavior, respectively. It was not observed any significant differences in time spent with feeding and rumination, however, total chewing time was influenced, presenting increasing linear behavior with the levels of CNM. Concerning to intakes of dry matter and NDF per hour, feed efficiency and rumination were not affected by increase on lipid content in the rations. Ruminating chews time per rumen bolus, number of ruminated boli and the number of ruminating chews per day were not influenced by experimental rations. In sheep feeding management, it is suggested as a feeding alternative the use of up to 30% of CNM in the concentrate ration if it is available.

Weight and yield of non-carcass components of Morada Nova lambs fed with different levels of metabolizable energy

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar o efeito de diferentes niveis de energia metabolizavel (EM) sobre: peso do conteudo do trato gastrintestinal, peso e rendimento dos orgaos internos e compartimentos gastrintestinais em ovinos Morada Nova em crescimento. Foram utilizados 32 animais, nao castrados, com peso corporal medio de 12,12 ± 1,69 kg e, aproximadamente, dois meses de idade. Os animais foram distribuidos em quatro diferentes niveis de EM (1,28; 1,72; 2,18 e 2,62 Mcal/kg de MS), em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com oito repeticoes por nivel de EM. O feno de Tifton 85 foi utilizado como volumoso. Nao foi observado efeito (P > 0,05) dos niveis de energia sobre o peso do conteudo gastrintestinal. Verificou-se efeito linear crescente (P < 0,05) dos niveis de EM sobre os pesos do coracao, PTEL (pulmoes, traqueia, esofago e lingua), figado e baco, expressos em kg. Em relacao aos compartimentos do trato gastrintestinal foi observado efeito linear crescente (P < 0,05) dos niveis de EM somente sobre o rumen-reticulo, em %, e intestino delgado, em kg. As gorduras perirrenal, omental e mesenterica foram influenciadas pelos niveis de EM (P < 0,05), com incremento linear para os pesos em kg e %. O aumento dos niveis de EM das racoes influencia o peso e rendimento dos orgaos internos, visceras e gorduras de ovinos Morada Nova em crescimento.

Efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization for maintenance and gain and evaluation of Small Ruminant Nutrition System model in Santa Ines sheep

This study was carried out to estimate efficiencies of the utilization of metabolizable energy for maintenance (km) and weight gain (kg) and to evaluate the Small Ruminant Nutrition System (SRNS) model in predicting dry matter intake and average daily gain of growing Santa Ines sheep. Twenty-four non-castrated Santa Ines sheep, at 50 days of age and with average body weight of 13.00 ± 0.56 kg, respectively, were used. After a 10-day adaptation period, four animals were slaughtered to be used as reference for estimating initial empty body weight and body composition of the other animals. The remaining animals were distributed in a random block design, with the treatments consisting of diets containing different levels of metabolizable energy (2.08, 2.28, 2.47 and 2.69 Mcal/kg of DM), with five replicates. The metabolizable energy use efficiencies for maintenance and for weight gain were calculated from the relationship between the dietary net energy for maintenance and gain and ME concentration in the diets. Evaluation of the SRNS model was performed by adjustment of simple linear regression model between the predicted (independent variable) and observed (dependent variable) values. The estimated energy use efficiency for maintenance (km) was 0.70; and for gain weight (kg) it showed to be inversely proportional to the increase of metabolizable energy concentration in the diet. The dry matter intake predicted by the SRNS model did not statistically differ from that observed, but the model overestimated the average daily gain by 5.18%. Those results can contribute to the construction of a database, which could be condensed into several others in a predictive model of performance and feed planning for sheep reared in Brazil.

Parâmetros da fermentação ruminal e concentração de derivados de purina de vacas em lactação alimentadas com castanha de caju

The parameters of rumen fermentation and the concentration of purine derivatives in the urine of dairy cows fed with increasing levels of cashew nut in the diet were evaluated. Eight multiparous holstein cows were used, being four rumen cannulated, with average production of 28±4kg of milk/day. The experimental design adopted was a 4x4 Latin square with split plots for the ruminal parameters and double for the determination of purine derivatives. The treatments consisted of the inclusion of 0; 8; 16 and 24% of cashew nut in the concentrate portion of the diet. The behavior of the ruminal pH was similar between the evaluated diets according to the time after feeding. The average concentration of ammonia nitrogen was 12.70mg/100mL of rumen fluid. The average values of acetate and butyrate showed a linear response, but the acetate:propionate ratio wasnot altered by the addition of the coproduct. The excretions of purine derivatives in urine did not differ significantly (P>0.05) with the addition of cashew nut. The inclusion of cashew nut did not affect ruminal fermentation parameters neither the concentrations of purine derivatives, so it can be recommended as a potential alternative for feeding dairy cows.

Chemical composition and ruminal degradation kinetics of crude protein and amino acids, and intestinal digestibility of amino acids from tropical forages

The objective of this research was to determine the chemical composition and ruminal degradation of the crude protein (CP), total and individual amino acids of leaves from tropical forages: perennial soybean (Neonotonia wightii), cassava (Manihot esculenta), leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and ramie (Boehmeria nivea), and to estimate the intestinal digestibility of the rumen undegradable protein (RUDP) and individual amino acids of leaves from the tropical forages above cited, but including pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). Three nonlactating Holstein cows were used to determine the in situ ruminal degradability of protein and amino acids from leaves (6, 18 and 48 hours of ruminal incubation). For determination of the intestinal digestibility of RUDP, the residue from ruminal incubation of the materials was used for 18 hours. A larger concentration of total amino acids for ramie and smaller for perennial soybean were observed; however, they were very similar in leucaena and cassava. Leucine was the essential amino acid of greater concentration, with the exception of cassava, which exhibited a leucine concentration 40.45% smaller. Ramie showed 14.35 and 22.31% more lysine and methionine, respectively. The intestinal digestibility of RUDP varied from 23.56; 47.87; 23.48; 25.69 and 10.86% for leucaena, perennial soybean, cassava, ramie and pigeon pea, respectively. The individual amino acids of tropical forage disappeared in different extensions in the rumen. For the correct evaluation of those forages, one should consider their composition of amino acids, degradations and intestinal digestibility, once the amino acid composition of the forage does not reflect the amino acid profiles that arrived in the small intestine. Differences between the degradation curves of CP and amino acids indicate that degradation of amino acids cannot be estimated through the degradation curve of CP, and that amino acids are not degraded in a similar degradation profile.