Simone Gisele de Oliveira

Methane emissions and estimates of ruminal fermentation parameters in beef cattle fed different dietary concentrate levels

Using sorghum silage, the effect of roughage/concentrate ratios was evaluated on nutrient intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters and methane production by beef cattle. Three treatments (0, 30 and 60% of concentrate in DM of the diet) were distributed in three Latin squares, with nine animals and three periods. Dry matter intake increased as the grain concentration in diet increased; pH showed opposite behavior. Methane emissions were lower for animals fed the diet exclusively with sorghum silage as compared with those fed 30% of concentrate, but was similar to that of animals receiving 60% of concentrate. Losses of ingested gross energy as methane were reduced by 33% when grain concentration was increased in the diet. Concentrations of propionic and butyric acids were greater in diets with grain concentrate; acetic acid concentration was not affected. Concentrate in diet increases available energy for the metabolism, measured by lower losses of ingested gross energy as ruminal methane.

Digestibility and metabolizable energy of raw soybeans manufactured with different processing treatments and fed to adult dogs and puppies.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), ME, and fecal characteristics of adult dogs and puppies fed raw soybeans (RSB) and their by-products. Six treatments were evaluated: 1 reference diet (REF), based on a maize-poultry by-product meal, and 5 extruded diets containing 70% of the ingredients of the REF diet and 30% of a soybean processed product [defatted soybean meal (DSM), micronized soybeans (MSB), soybean meal (SBM), RSB, or toasted soybeans (TSB)]. Six adult dogs (5.8 yr old) and 6 puppies (5.1 mo old) were used in a study with a double Latin square design (6 × 6). Urease was reduced in all diets after extrusion, but trypsin inhibitor was reduced only in the diets containing SBM, DSM, and RSB. The ATTD of CP in DSM, SBM, MSB, TSB, and RSB were 85.1%, 85.2%, 88.4%, 84.7%, and 78.9%, respectively, for adult dogs. Soybean meal and DSM had the lowest ATTD of acid-hydrolyzed fat (AHF; 84.3% for both ingredients in adult dogs). The ATTD of DM and AHF in DSM and AHF in all soybean products were greater in puppies than adult dogs (P < 0.05). The ME content was greatest in MSB (21.39 MJ/kg) and least in DSM (15.23 MJ/kg). The feces of dogs fed soybean products were softer and had a lower pH (average of 5.91 vs. 6.05 for adult dogs fed soybean products and REF diets, respectively) and ammonia content (average of 3.82 vs. 4.32 g/kg for adult dogs fed soybean products and REF diets, respectively), except those fed RSB, which had similar fecal pH and ammonia values, compared with those fed the REF diet. Soybean products are good protein sources for both adult and growing dogs, provided they are heat treated before diet extrusion.

Metodologias para determinação da digestibilidade de dietas contendo fontes proteicas vegetal ou animal em cães

The objective was to evaluate different methods of measuring digestibility in dogs fed two diets containing animal (poultry by products - PBP) and vegetable (soybean meal - SBM) protein sources. The methods evaluated were: total fecal collection (TFC) and indicators: acid insoluble ash (AIA), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude fiber (CF). Eight dogs were distributed in Cross Over in split plots (plot: sources of protein; subplot: methods for digestibility), fed by five days of adaptation and five days of total fecal collection. The diet containing SBM had a higher ADC of CP, while the diet containing POM showed higher ADC of all nutrients and metabolizable energy (ME). The ADC and ME determined by the TFC and the indicators did not differ. Thus, the ADC of diets in dogs can be determined by TFC and CF, ADF and AIA indicators, regardless of source of dietary protein.

Digestibility and fecal characteristics of dogs fed with Bacillus subtilis in diet

Considering the benefice demonstrated by the modulating action of probiotics on the host intestinal microbiota, this study aimed to evaluate diet digestibility and fecal characteristics of dogs fed with diets supplemented with Bacillus subtilis (C-3102). Twelve young Beagle dogs were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design consisting of two treatments: diet with no addition or with the addition of 0.01% Bacillus subtilis (C-3102). Dogs passed through 25 days of adaptation to the diets, and five days of total feces collection. The following fecal characteristics were evaluated: pH, fecal score (1 - watery feces; 5: dry and hard feces), and ammonia content. Diet mean digestibility was compared by the Tukey test, and fecal characteristics by the Tukey-Kramer test. Diet digestibility was not different between treatments, but dogs supplemented with the tested probiotic presented dryer feces (39.1% vs. 36.5% dry matter), higher fecal score (3.4 vs. 3.0) and lower fecal ammonia content (0.45% vs. 0.56%), than dogs fed with the control diet. The dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis (C-3102) improves fecal texture and odor in dogs.

Características físico-químicas de derivados proteicos de soja em dietas extrusadas para cães

Soy is a grain rich in protein and lipids, from which its obtained different protein products of high nutritional value. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of different soy-protein products, as well as the characteristics of the extruded produced. Six diets were formulated, a reference and five with 30% soy product (defatted soy flour - DSF, micronized, soybean meal, crude grain or toasted grain), which were extruded. Soy products and diets were submitted to chemical analyses and process quality. The DSF and soybean meal presented the highest crude protein content, while the toasted and crude soybeans and micronized soy presented the highest acid hydrolyses ether extract and crude energy content. The crude soybean presented the highest ureatic activity and trypsin inhibitor activity, even after the diet extrusion. The soy beans and micronized soy extruded presented the highest density and the lowest hardness, water absorption index and starch gelatinization degree. Soy-protein products present high nutritional value, however they should be heated before extrusion to complete inhibition of trypsin inhibitor. Besides, soy products with high fat content, such as soybean and micronized soybean, when added to 30% reduced the extruded quality.

Digestibility and behavior of dogs housed in kennels or metabolic cages

The objective of the present study was to compare the apparent digestibility coefficients of a commercial dog food, fecal consistency and behavior of dogs housed in kennels and metabolic cages. Six adult Beagle dogs were distributed in cross-over experimental design, with six replicates per treatment. Dogs were housed in two environments: metabolic cages and in masonry kennels with solarium. Dogs were fed for a five-day adaptation period, and the five following days were used for total feces collection. Dogs behavior was recorded during a 48-h period, with 10-min intervals. Apparent digestibility coefficients were not different between treatments. However, dogs housed in metabolic cages produced lower weight and more consistent feces as compared with dogs housed in kennels. Dogs spent most of the time sleeping in both housing systems; however, dogs housed in the metabolic cages slept more than those in kennels. Stress-related behaviors (barking, whimpering, stereotypies, etc) were observed for no longer than 15 minutes per day, and were not different between dogs in kennels or in cages. There is no difference in food digestibility evaluated in dogs housed in metabolic cages or kennels; however, dogs kept in metabolic cages eliminate drier feces and spend more time inactive than those kept in kennels.

Effect of β-mannanase on the digestibility of diets with different protein sources in dogs determined by different methodologies1

This experiment aimed at evaluating the effects of including the enzyme, β-mannanase, in dog (Canis lupus familiaris) diets based on either poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus) by-product meal (PBM) or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Meal (SBM). The second objective was to evaluate 3 methods for determining energy and nutrient digestibility values in diets fed to dogs: total fecal collection (TFC) and use of aia or crude fiber (CF) as a marker. Eight dogs were allotted to a replicated latin square (4 by 4) design. There were 2 diets based on PBM as the major protein source and 2 diets based on SBM as the major protein source. Within each protein source, 1 diet contained no β-mannanase and 1 diet contained 0.01% β-mannanase. Diets were fed for an adaptation period of 5 d followed by 5 d of TFC. Fecal score (1 = watery feces to 5 = dry, hard pellets), pH, DM, and fecal volume were determined. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, OM, CP, ether extract (EE), N-free extract (NFE), and GE, and ME content were calculated using the methods of TFC, AIA, and CF. Data were analyzed as a 2 by 2 by 3 split-split-plot design (β-mannanase, protein source, and digestibility calculation procedure). There were interactions between protein source and β-mannanase (P < 0.05). Supplementation of β-mannanase increased ATTD of nutrients and energy and ME (+ 195.3 kcal/kg) and also reduced fecal production in the diet with SBM, but not in the diet that contained PBM. There was an interaction between digestibility calculation procedure and protein source (P < 0.05). The use of AIA overestimated ATTD of the diets containing PBM, but digestibility values estimated based on TFC and CF were not different. Dogs fed diets containing SBM produced more feces with greater moisture content and lower pH compared with dogs fed the PBM diet (P < 0.05). Addition of 0.01% β-mannanase increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility and ME content of the diets containing SBM, but did not improve (P > 0.05) fecal texture. Results indicated that values for ATTD of energy and nutrients in diets containing sbm are not different if they are calculated based on TFC, AIA, or CF, but use of AIA may result in an overestimation of values for ATTD of energy and nutrients in diets containing PBM.

Body condition of dogs fed diets containing soya hulls.

Obesity is a growing problem in dogs. Therefore, there is an increasing need of foods for obese dogs with high-fibre content to dilute energies and to reduce energy absorption. Soya hulls are cheap and are widely available as a fibre source. We aimed at evaluating the body condition of dogs fed diets containing 0 % soya hulls (0SH) or 16 % soya hulls (16SH) in replacement of maize. Twelve adult dogs, with 11·3 (se 1·6) kg average body weight (BW), 4·1 (se 0·1) years old and body condition score (BCS) between 4 and 7, were completely randomised assigned (six per treatment) and were fed the 0SH diet according to their maintenance energy requirements or the same amount in grams (g/kg BW0·75) of the 16SH diet once daily for 56 d. The animals were evaluated on days 0 and 57 for BW, BCS (1, very thin to 9, obese), subcutaneous fat thickness in the L7 vertebra using ultrasound (L7), canine BMI (CBMI) and body fat (BF). Data were analysed by the Students t test and Kruskal–Wallis test (P < 0·05). The change (final – initial) in BW (−0·58 v. −0·49 kg), BCS (−1 v. −1), L7 (−2 v. 0·35 mm), CBMI (−0·85 v. −0·63 kg/m2) and BF (−5·0 v. −5·4 %) of dogs fed the 0SH and 16SH diets, respectively, were not different (P > 0·05). The 16SH diet, with 11·4 % restriction in metabolisable energy, did not change the BCS of adult dogs. Further studies evaluating the supply of soya hulls only to overweight/obese dogs should to be carried out, because these dogs may respond differently than the group evaluated, which had a BCS between 4 and 7 (ideal to overweight).

Effect of feeding frequency of a diet containing soya hulls on the food intake and behaviour of dogs.

Dietary fibre may promote satiety and reduce energy consumption per gram of food. Associated with feeding management, dietary fibre may contribute to reduce anxiety in dogs submitted to food restriction to lose weight. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the food intake and the behaviour of dogs fed diets without soya hulls (0SH) or with soya hulls (16SH) once (1×) or twice (2×) daily. Eight adult Beagle dogs, with 11·3 (se 1·6) kg body weight (BW), 4·1 (se 0·1) years of age and body condition score between 4 and 7, were distributed in 4 × 4 Latin square design (n 8/treatment, 5 d/period) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (0SH v. 16SH; 1× v. 2×). Food allowance was 50 % in excess of the daily metabolisable energy (ME) requirements; food residues were weighed. The behavioural test consisted in continuously observations for 24 h, using the scanning sampling technique (observations every 10 min). General behaviours, such as sleeping, barking, standing and others were recorded. Food intake in g/kg BW0·75 per d of 0SH and 16SH was not different (P > 0·05). However, dogs fed the 0SH diet presented higher (P > 0·05) energy intake (kJ/kg BW0·75 per d; P < 0·05) compared with those fed the 16SH diet. Dogs fed 2× daily had higher intake, both in g and in kJ, compared with those fed 1 × , independently of diet. There was no interaction between diets and feeding frequency (P > 0·05). No behavioural differences were observed (P > 0·05). The diet containing 16SH, despite reducing ME intake, did not restrict food intake (in g). Dogs fed 1× per d had lower food intake, possibly due to gastric capacity limitation.

Comparação da digestibilidade de um alimento seco extrusado entre cães adultos e filhotes

Os diversos alimentos completos para caes existentes no mercado objetivam atender as necessidades nutricionais do animal quanto ao estadio fisiologico, conforme as alteracoes que possam ocorrer no aproveitamento dos nutrientes. Com a finalidade de comparar os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) e as caracteristicas das fezes de um alimento seco extrusado de caes adultos e filhotes, foram utilizados 12 caes da raca Beagle, sendo seis adultos, cinco anos, e seis filhotes, cinco-seis meses, mantidos em gaiolas metabolicas e distribuidos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Os animais foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia com um alimento completo seco extrusado para filhotes, por um periodo de adaptacao de cinco dias seguidos por cinco dias de coleta total de fezes. Houve diferenca apenas para o CDA do extrato etereo em hidrolise acida, sendo maior para os filhotes - 95,3 vs 89,5%. Em relacao as caracteristicas das fezes, os filhotes apresentaram pior escore fecal, devido as fezes terem se mostrado mais umidas, alem de maior pH em fezes secas e maior teor de amonia, culminando em pior qualidade. Conclui-se que filhotes de 5-6 meses de idade apresentam maior digestibilidade da gordura quando comparado a caes adultos, porem defecam fezes com pior escore fecal.