Vera Lúcia de Araújo

Consumo, digestibilidade e balanço de nitrogênio em borregos alimentados com torta de dendê em substituição à silagem de capim-elefante

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o consumo voluntario, a digestibilidade aparente e o balanco de nitrogenio em ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo torta de dende. A adicao da torta de dende foi avaliada nos niveis 0; 20; 40; 60 e 80% em substituicao a silagem de capim-elefante utilizando-se 20 ovinos machos castrados em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. Em todas as formas como foram expressos, o consumo e a digestibilidade de nutrientes apresentou em geral resposta quadratica aos niveis de torta de dende utilizados na dieta. A inclusao de torta de dende nas dietas teve efeito quadratico tambem sobre o balanco de nitrogenio, que aumentou ate o nivel de 45% de adicao desse subproduto e decresceu, devido ao baixo consumo de proteina bruta nos maiores niveis. A torta de dende possui caracteristicas proprias de um alimento volumoso e tem como principal limitacao o baixo consumo alimentar, por isso, seu uso na alimentacao de ovinos deve ser restrito ao nivel maximo de 37,34% da dieta total.

Consumo, digestibilidade e desempenho de novilhas leiteiras alimentadas com dietas contendo torta de dendê

The objective was to evaluate the effects of inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet on intake, digestibility and performance of dairy heifers. Sixteen dairy Holstein-Zebu crossbred heifers with average age of 13 months and average weight of 183.4±32.5 kg were distributed to four treatments in a completely randomized design with four levels of palm kernel cake (0, 11.9, 22.9 and 34.2% from total dry matter), each one with four replicates. The intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), ether extract (EE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN), and the apparent digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, NFC and EE were evaluated. There was linear reduction in DM, CP, NDF, NFC, and TDN intake. The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF reduced with the inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet, while the apparent digestibility of CP and NFC showed quadratic effect. The inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diets resulted in linear increase in the apparent digestibility of ether extract. Weight gain decreased linearly with the inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet, with values of 1.06, 0.99, 0.89 and 0.54 kg/day for diets containing 0, 11.9, 22, 9 or 34.2% palm kernel cake, respectively. Feed conversion was not affected by the inclusion of levels of palm kernel cake. The inclusion of palm kernel cake in the diet reduces nutrient intake and performance of dairy heifers during growth, but when used in levels up to 24.6% of the total diet, it provides weight gain compatible with growth programs aiming calving at 24 months of age.

Desempenho em confinamento de bovinos de corte, castrados ou não, alimentados com teores crescentes de farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu

The objective was to evaluate four levels of inclusion of babassu mesocarp meal (Orbygnya spp.) in the concentrate on cattle feedlot performance. Twenty four animals (12 steers and 12 bulls) were used with age and body weight of 33 months and 332.1±24kg, respectively. Diets were isonitrogenous, composed of 44% of Mombasa grass silage and 56% of concentrate in dry matter. Corn grain of the concentrate fraction was replaced by babassu mesocarp meal at 0, 20, 40 and 60% in dry matter. The experimental design was randomized complete block, with factorial arrangement of treatments 4x2 (four levels of babassu mesocarp meal inclusion and two sexual conditions). Dry matter intake in kg day1 and percentage of body weight was not altered by the inclusion level of bran babassu mesocarp, with average values of 9.37kg day-1 and 2.54% respectively. Inclusion levels of babassu mesocarp meal did not affect daily weight gain and feed conversion the animals, with average values of 1.157kg day-1 and 8.39kg of dry matter kg-1 weight gain. Bulls had higher daily weight gain (1.259kg day-1) than steers (1.066kg day-1), reflecting a better feed conversion (7.702 and 9.094kg dry matter kg-1 weight gain, respectively). Babassu mesocarp meal, such as alternative energy source, can be fed to feedlot to the 60% level of inclusion in the concentrate, replacing corn grain.

Farelo de mesocarpo de babaçu (Orbygnia sp.) na terminação de bovinos: composição física da carcaça e qualidade da carne

We evaluated the carcass composition and meat qualitative characteristics, of 30 young crossbred bulls (18.9 months and 346.8kg) fed with diets with different proportion of babassu mesocarp bran (BMB) (Orbygnia sp.); replacing corn: 0, 25, 50, 70 and 100% substitution. The percentage of muscle in the carcass increased linearly, 0.022% for each percentage point of including BMB and the percentages of fat and bone had a quadratic response in which adipose tissue has increased until the replacement of 25% and bone tissue decreased to 50% substitution. The ratio of edible portion: bone increased up to 42.5%. As the levels of BMB increased, a decrease in cushion thickness, muscle score and carcass compactness occurred. The shear force of meat was increased by 44kgf for each percentage point of corn replacement. For the physical-chemical composition we observed an increase in the meat mineral matter. The use of BMB in finishing diets for beef cattle reduced the tenderness of the meat, not altering the other qualitative characteristics.

Características agronômicas e estruturais de híbridos de sorgo em função de diferentes densidades de plantio

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of two sorghum hybrids for silage production, AG-2005 (double purpose) and VOLUMAX (forage) cultivated with different row spacing 1; 0.75 and 0.50 m, on Orthic Quartzarenic Neosol, resulting in 140,000; 186,666 e 280,000 plants per ha, respectively. A randomized block design with four replicates was used and the treatments consisted on a factorial arrangement 2 x 3. Were determined the total dry matter production (PMST), of leaves (PMLF), of stems (PMSC), and panicles (PMSP) per ha, and their proportion in the whole plant. Significant interaction occurred between sorghum hybrid and row spacing for PMST, PMSLF and PMSP. VOLUMAX showed similar production for the three row spacing. AG-2005 showed higher PMST (9,474.59 vs. 6,842.91 kg ha-1) and PMSP (6,355.77 vs. 3,032.40 kg ha-1) than VOLUMAX in 0.50 m row spacing. AG-2005 was superior to VOLUMAX for the percentage of panicles in 1 m (57.06 vs. 40.22%) and 0.50 m spacing (66.99 vs. 43.55%), and VOLUMAX was superior for stems percentages in the 1 and 0.50 m spacing. It is recommended the use of hybrid AG-2005 under spacing of 0.50 m for silage production, due to its higher dry matter production per area, higher percentage of panicle and lower percentage of stem in the composition of the plant compared to the hybrid VOLUMAX.

Inclusão de casca de pinhão-manso em dietas de ovinos: consumo voluntário e caracterização de quadro toxicológico

ABSTRACT The nutrients intake and histopathological occurrences were evaluated in sheep fed diets with increasing levels of inclusion (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%) of Jatropha curcas dried and crushed fruit shell in substitution to Mombaca grass hay. Twenty castrated male sheep were kept in metabolic cages and fed diets ad libitum (5 to 10% scraps were allowed). At the end of the experiment, the animals were subjected to clinical examination and blood collection, followed by euthanasia and necropsy. The clinical and pathological disorders were characterized by digestive, lung, and heart alterations, with regressive changes affecting kidney and liver. Presence of fluid in the abdominal and pericardial cavities, intestine with little content or empty, reddish serosa, and hyperemic mucosa with streaks of blood were observed during necropsy; as well as edematous mesenteric lymph nodes; red, swollen, and firm lung (hepatization) with emphysema areas, suffusions in the serous of the rumen, and ulcers in the abomasum.

Productive performance and blood parameters of bulls fed diets containing babassu mesocarp bran and whole or ground corn

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of corn milling and the inclusion of babassu mesocarp bran (BMB) on productive performance, digestibility of dietary nutrients, and blood parameters of dairy crossbred (Holstein-Gyr) bulls finished in confinement. Twenty-four bulls were fed four different experimental diets, containing two levels of inclusion of BMB (0 and 41.24%) and corn supplied in two different forms (ground and whole), for 98 days (77 days of data collection and 21 days of adaptation). The intakes and digestibility coefficients of the dry matter (DM) and nutrients were determined. There were no significant interaction effects of the BMB inclusion level and the form of corn used on the performance and digestibility variables. The intakes of DM, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) increased with the inclusion of BMB in the diets. However, the inclusion of BMB in the diets decreased the ether extract intake, the NDF apparent digestibility, and the feed efficiency of DM and CP. Dry matter and NDF intakes also increased with the use of ground corn in the diet, which promoted an increase in the intake of total digestible nutrients (TDN), digestibility of non-fibrous carbohydrates, and average daily gain. However, the supply of ground corn reduced the feed efficiency of TDN. The remaining measured variables did not vary with the tested diets. The levels of plasma protein and albumin remained normal, but glucose concentrations were always high, irrespective of the tested diet. The form of corn supplied and the level of BMB inclusion had a significant interaction effect on the levels of triglycerides, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Babassu mesocarp bran can be included up to 41.24% in the diet of confined bulls without a negative effect on the animal weight gain. Corn should be supplied ground because this form improves the performance of crossbred bulls

Babassu mesocarp bran levels associated with whole or ground corn grains in the finishing of young bulls: carcass and meat characteristics

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of grinding corn and inclusion of babassu mesocarp bran (BMB) in the diet of crossbred dairy young bulls finished in feedlot on their carcass and meat characteristics. Twenty-four young bulls were fed four experimental diets containing two BMB inclusion levels (0 and 41.24%) and corn in two forms of processing (ground and whole grains) for 98 days, and then slaughtered in a commercial packing plant. Among the quantitative carcass characteristics, there was interaction only in fat trimmings/whole hot carcass weight and cold carcass yield. The whole hot carcass and hot carcass weights showed reduced means with the use of whole corn. The other quantitative variables were not separately affected by BMB inclusion levels or by the form corn was processed. There was interaction between the factors for pistol cut weight, edible portion and weight of the cuts of the pistol cut, in which the use of whole corn and BMB promoted reduction in the mean values. The use of the whole corn grain reduced the participation of flank cut and elevated the participation of the bone fraction in the carcass. Inclusion of 41.24% of BMB did not change the qualitative meat characteristics, but the use of corn grain resulted in darker meat. The use of whole corn resulted in alteration in the weight of cuts like eye of rump and striploin, which have a high commercial value. There was interaction between factors for the percentages of moisture and minerals of the meat, whereas the crude protein content was affected by the two factors. The use of diets with whole corn or with babassu mesocarp bran may modify the carcass and meat characteristics of finishing crossbred young bulls.

Feeding behavior of crossbred steers fed diets containing babassu mesocarp meal and corn in kernels or ground

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the use of babassu mesocarp meal (BMM) and corn in different physical forms on the feeding behavior of crossbred young bulls of a dairy breed. Twenty-four crossbred (Nellore vs. Holstein) steers (307.35 kg) were fed four experimental diets containing two levels of inclusion of the babassu mesocarp meal (0 and 412.4 g/kg) and corn in two physical forms (kernels or ground) for 98 days. Data was collected on three days during the finishing phase, with observations every five minutes, for 24 hours. When the activities performed by the animals were evaluated as a function of the period of the day, the physical form of the corn showed interaction with the BMM inclusion level on the time spent feeding and on other activities. When the activities were evaluated over the day, the defecation frequency was affected and decreased as BMM was included. The feeding time was longer at the moments that followed feed supply, whereas the time used for other activities increased during the morning period, regardless of the diet utilized. Rumination and idle times were affected by the period of the day and remained high during the night and morning periods. There was increase in feeding time and dry matter rumination efficiencies and neutral detergent fiber as BMM was added to the diet. The number of rumination chews per bolus, however, decreased as BMB was included. Inclusion of babassu mesocarp meal increases the animal feeding time but the physical form of corn does not change its feeding behavior.

Histopathological and Reproductive Evaluation in Male Rats Fed Jatropha curcas Seed Cake with or without Alkaline Hydrolysis and Subjected to Heat Treatment

Jatropha curcas cake, a by-product of biodiesel production, is rich in protein and has potential to be used in livestock feed; however, the presence of antinutritional factors and phorbol esters limits its use. Thus, this study investigated toxicological and reproductive effects in male Wistar rats after subchronic exposure to J. curcas cake subjected to detoxification procedures. Rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10) and treated for 60 days. The control group received commercial feed, while experimental groups received a diet containing 5% J. curcas cake nonhydrolyzed or hydrolyzed with 5 M NaOH. The cakes were unwashed or washed with ethanol or water and were autoclaved at 121°C for 30 minutes. Alkaline hydrolysis combined with ethanol washing decreased the phorbol ester concentration in the cake by 98%. Histopathological findings included diffuse degeneration of the liver and edema around the pulmonary vessels in the nonhydrolyzed groups. In addition, nontreated females mated with males of nonhydrolyzed unwashed group showed a decreased number of live fetuses and an increased placental weight. There were no signs of toxicity in rats given hydrolyzed cakes washed and unwashed, indicating that alkaline hydrolysis associated with heat treatment is an efficient method for detoxification of the J. curcas cake.