ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and digestibility of diets containing different levels of crude propolis for growing rabbits. Forty-eight New Zealand White rabbits, 43 days old, of both genders, were used, distributed in a completely randomized design. There were four diets with different inclusion levels of crude propolis (0.0; 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5%). There was no statistical difference for performance regarding the inclusion levels of crude propolis (p = 0.85), as well as for the variables dry matter consumption, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (p ≥ 0.07). Crude protein consumption showed a statistical difference in relation to gender (p = 0.04): males showed higher consumption. However, final weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain and feed efficiency were not influenced by the addition of crude propolis (p ≥ 0.37). Dry matter digestibility, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were not influenced by the inclusion levels of crude propolis in the diets (p ≥ 0.12). This study indicates that the inclusion of raw propolis up to 1.5% in the diets does not affect the performance parameters of rabbits.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing ground corn (402 g kg−1 of dry matter) with rehydrated corn grain silage (RCGS; 425 g kg−1 of dry matter) in a flushing diet on follicular development in tropical Santa Inês ewes. Fifteen ewes were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: a diet with ground corn (control, n = 7) or a diet with RCGS (n = 8). The first day of the diets was designated d0, and the diets were fed for 30 days, up to two days after the end of the estrus synchronization protocol. The estrus synchronization protocol (intravaginal progestogen sponge for 11 days plus 300 IU eCG and 37.5 µg d-cloprostenol IM two days before sponge removal) started on d17 of the diets. The number and diameters of ovarian follicles ≥3 mm were assessed by ultrasound on the day before the diets were provided (d−1), on d14, and then daily from two days before sponge removal until ovulation or up to the eighth day after sponge removal. Blood samples were collected on days −1, 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 for glucose and urea analyses. There was no effect of the treatments on dry matter intake, plasma glucose, and urea nitrogen concentrations, or on the percentage of ewes that ovulated and on the number of ovulations. The number of follicles ≥3 mm did not differ between treatment groups; the number increased between d−1 and d14 and did not differ between d14 and d28. The diameter of ovulatory follicles at sponge removal, the interval from sponge removal to estrus, and the growth rate of the ovulatory follicles were greater in the RCGS group than in the control group, resulting in larger follicles at ovulation. Replacement of ground corn by RCGS in the flushing diet does not increase the number of ovulations but results in delayed onset of estrus and ovulation of larger follicles.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar as características bromatológicas, microbiológicas e perdas fermentativas da silagem de grão de milho reidratado com água ou soro de leite associado a diferentes níveis de inclusão do resíduo de tilápia. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 5x2 (cinco níveis de inclusão do resíduo de tilápia: 0; 12,5; 25; 37,5 e 50% em substituição ao milho reidratado e duas fontes de reidratação do grão de milho: água ou soro de leite) para produção de silagem). A produção de gases da silagem com até 25% de inclusão do resíduo de tilápia foi 62,7% maior para o milho reidrato com soro de leite (P <0,01). A quantidade de bactérias ácido láticas foi menor em todos os níveis de inclusão de resíduo de tilápia quando a fonte de reidratação foi a água (P<0,01). Os teores de matéria mineral, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, cálcio e fósforo foram maiores nas silagens reidratadas com soro de leite com o aumento do nível de inclusão de resíduo de tilápia (P<0,01). A silagem de resíduo de tilápia com milho reidratado é uma alternativa que pode ser utilizada na dieta de aves e suínos, entretanto, o seu uso está condicionado às avaliações do melhor nível de inclusão dentro de uma categoria animal.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological, chemical characteristcs and fermentative losses of corn silage rehydrated with water or whey associated to different levels of tilapia residue inclusion. A completely randomized design was used in a 5x2 factorial arrangement (five inclusion levels of tilapia residue: 0; 12.5; 25; 37.5 and 50% in substitution of dehydrated corn; and two sources of rehydration of corn: water or whey) for silage production. The production of gases of the silage with up to 25% inclusion of the tilapia residue was 62.7% greater for the corn rehydrate with whey (P <0.01). The amount of lactic acid bacteria was lesser for all levels of inclusion of tilapia residue when the source of rehydration was water (P <0.01). The levels of mineral matter, organic matter, crude protein, ethereal extract, calcium and phosphorus were greater in silages rehydrated with whey with the increase of the inclusion level of tilapia residue (P <0.01). Tilapia residue silage with rehydrated corn is an alternative that can be used in the poultry and swine diet, however, its use is conditioned to the evaluation of the best level of inclusion within an animal category.

Conduziu-se este estudo, com o objetivo de avaliar o retorno ao estro pós-parto de ovelhas submetidas a diferentes manejos de mamada. Foram utilizados 56 ovelhas Santa Inês e Bergamácia, 71 cordeiros e 3 rufiões. Os manejos de mamada (MM) foram: 1: contínua; 2: duas mamadas diárias; 3: mamada durante a noite. O período experimental foi dos 15 dias pós-parto até o desmame aos 60 dias. Até os 15, dias de idade os cordeiros permaneceram com suas mães em período integral. No MM 1, as ovelhas permaneceram com seus cordeiros em uma baia, em período integral. No MM 2, as ovelhas passaram a noite em uma baia e o dia em pastagem, momento em que não possuíam contato físico e visual com as crias. Seus cordeiros permaneceram em outra baia em período integral, para onde as ovelhas eram encaminhadas no momento da amamentação. No MM 3, as ovelhas passaram o dia em pastagem e a noite com seus cordeiros em uma baia, na qual os cordeiros permaneceram em período integral. Todas as ovelhas e todos os cordeiros receberam alimentação nas baias. Para identificação das ovelhas em estro foram utilizados rufiões, os quais permaneceram com elas em período integral. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (PROC GLM, Sas®), e as médias comparadas por contrastes. O MM 2 possibilitou retorno ao estro pós-parto precoce quando comparado ao MM 3 e ao MM 1. Houve pouca ou nenhuma influência do anestro lactacional, pois 80% das ovelhas apresentaram estro durante a amamentação.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the return to postpartum estrus of ewes submitted to different suckling managements. Fifty-six (56) Santa Ines and Bergamácia ewes, 71 lambs and 3 teasers were utilized. The suckling managements (MM) were: 1: Continuous; 2: Two daily sucklings; 3: suckling during the night. The experimental period was from 15 days postpartum to weaning at 60 days. The lambs stayed with their mothers until they were 15 days old. For MM 1, the ewes remained with their lambs in a pen for the duration of the study. For MM 2, the ewes spent the night in a pen and the day in pasture; they had no visual or physical contact with their sucklings during the day. Their lambs were kept in a separate pen during the day, where the ewes were led at suckling time. For MM 3, the ewes spent the day in pasture and the night with their lambs in a pen, in which the lambs remained the whole time. All the ewes and all the lambs were fed in the pens. For identification of the ewes in estrus, teasers were utilized, which remained with them the whole time. The data was submitted to an analysis of variance (PROC GLM, Sas®) and the means compared by contrasts. MM 2 made it possible for ewes to return to postpartum estrus early when compared with MM 3 and MM 1. There was little or no influence of lactation anestrous, since 80% of the ewes presented estrus during suckling.

Objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento, o desempenho e o tamanho das vísceras de cordeiros Santa Inês após ganho compensatório. Foram utilizados 22 animais de duas faixas de peso vivo inicial, leves (33,5 kg) e pesados (56,8 kg), distribuídos em três regimes alimentares: controle, com consumo à vontade; restrição alimentar, com consumo para manutenção do peso vivo; e crescimento compensatório, com restrição alimentar e posterior consumo à vontade até peso vivo semelhante ao dos animais controle, quando foram abatidos. As dietas experimentais, constituídas de feno de capim Coast-cross (Cynodon dactylon) moído e concentrado composto de farelo de soja (Glicine max L.), milho (Zea mays L.), polpa cítrica, ureia pecuária e suplemento mineral e vitamínico, atenderam às necessidades nutricionais para os diferentes objetivos. Os animais em restrição alimentar apresentaram os piores resultados de peso vivo final, consumo de matéria seca, ganho de peso, conversão alimentar e peso relativo do fígado, enquanto, naqueles em crescimento compensatório, o peso vivo final, a conversão alimentar e o peso de fígado foram semelhantes aos dos animais em crescimento contínuo. O consumo entre os animais pesados em crescimento contínuo foi superior ao daqueles mantidos nos demais regimes alimentares. No grupo de animais leves em crescimento compensatório, o ganho de peso foi maior que naqueles em crescimento contínuo e, nesses dois grupos, foi superior ao dos animais em restrição alimentar. Os animais pesados, no entanto, apresentaram ganho de peso vivo semelhante ao dos animais controle. Cordeiros podem apresentar crescimento compensatório, que depende do grau de maturidade dos animais.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the growth, performance and size of viscera of Santa Inês lambs after compensatory gain. Twenty-two animals, with two ranges of initial body weights, light (33.5 kg) and heavy (56.8 kg), were allotted to one of the three diets: control, fed ad libitum; nutritional restriction, fed to maintain body weight; and compensatory growth with feed restriction and then fed without restriction up to body weight similar to control animals, when they were slaughtered. The experimental diets, constituted of Coast-cross (Cynodon dactylon) grid hay, and a concentrate with soybean (Glicine max L.) meal, corn (Zea mays L.), citrus pulp, livestock urea and vitamin and mineral supplement met the nutritional requirements for each different objective. Animals in fed restriction showed the worst final body weight, dry matter intake, weight gain, feed conversion and relative liver weight whereas those in compensatory growth, the final body weight, feed conversion and liver weight were similar to the animals in continuous growth. Intake among heavy animals in continuous growth was superior to those kept in the other diets. For the group of light animals in compensatory growth, weight gain was greater than in those on continuous growth and, in those both groups, it was superior to animals on feed restriction. However, heavy animals showed body weight gain similar to control animals. Lambs can present compensatory growth, which depends on the maturity degree of the animals.