ABSTRACT. The objective was to evaluate levels of replacement of corn silage with extruded forage (Foragge®) in sheep feeding. Twenty adult Santa Inês ewes in maintenance, and 55.8 kg average weight were housed in metabolic cages, and the treatments consisted of 20, 40, 60 and 80% replacement of corn silage with Foragge® extruded forage with 60% Uruchloa brizantha in the diet. The design was completely randomized, with regression analysis and non-parametric analysis at 5% probability. The supply of up to 80% extruded roughage to replace corn silage increased dry matter intake and digestibility, and fecal output in dry matter (p < 0.05). Also, it increased the efficiency of ingestion, rumination and chewing activities of sheep, but did not alter urinary parameters and energy metabolites (p > 0.05). However, it reduced the concentration of uric acid (p < 0.05). Foragge® extruded roughage can replace corn silage by up to 80% with changes in intake, digestibility, fecal parameters, ingestive behavior and concentration of uric acid and urea, with no modifications in urinary parameters and energy metabolites.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding exogenous enzymes to the diet on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, ingestive behavior and rumen movement of ewe lambs. Five ewe lambs, Dorper x Santa Inês crossbred, with an average age of 7 ± 1 months, average weight of 36.40 ± 2.36 kg were assigned in a 5x5 Latin square design. The treatments consisted of adding exogenous enzymes to the concentrate: Allzyme, Fibrozyme®, Amaize®, Mix and Control. Analyses of variance were applied and means were compared by the SNK test, and non-parametric Kruskal Wallis test at 5% significance. The dry matter intake in relation to body weight, crude protein intake and nitrogen intake were higher with the use of amylolytic enzyme compared to the other treatments (p <0.05). Nitrogen balance was higher with the use of amylolytic enzymes and the Allzyme® enzyme complex (p <0.05). A longer time spent in total chewing was observed with the inclusion of fibrolytic and amylolytic enzymes without changes in rumen movement. The use of exogenous enzymes promotes better use of nutrients, with high digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and crude protein.

The purpose was to evaluate the effect of extruded roughage Foragge® with different additives on intake, digestibility nutrients and nitrogen balance of sheep. Twenty adults, non-pregnant ewes with average weight 68 kg were used. The treatments were extruded roughage with additives (essential oil, virginiamycin, unpurified inactive yeast, tannin and purified inactive yeast). The design was in randomized blocks. The means were contrasted by SNK test, and the fecal score was tested by the Kruskal Wallis test (1952), at 5% significance. There was no difference in the intake of dry matter, crude protein, nitrogen, water, water in relation to dry matter, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (p > 0.05). As well as the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber, the fecal weight, fecal nitrogen, retained nitrogen and nitrogen retained in relation to nitrogen ingested (p > 0.05). However, dry matter intake as a function of body weight and metabolic weight, urinary nitrogen, hemicellulose intake, and hemicellulose as a function of NDF, were higher in the Foragge Factor® treatment (p < 0.05). The inclusion of different additives in the extruded roughage improved nutritional parameters, without causing disturbances.

RESUMO. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da inclusão do propilenoglicol na água de ovelhas durante a lactação sobre os metabólitos proteicos e minerais de suas crias. Foram avaliados 24 cordeiros (as), filhos (as) de ovelhas que receberam níveis de propilenoglicol (0; 1,5; 3,0 e 4,5%) na água. As ovelhas foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema de parcela subdividida. Não houve efeito de interação entre a idade dos cordeiros (a)s e a quantidade(s) de propilenoglicol oferecido para as mães na concentração dos metabólitos proteicos e minerais dos cordeiros. A concentração de proteínas totais, globulinas, relação albumina:globulinas, ácido úrico e creatinina nos cordeiros não foi afetada pela inclusão de propilenoglicol na água das matrizes. A concentração de ureia e magnésio nos cordeiros apresentou resposta quadrática em função da inclusão de propilenoglicol na dieta das ovelhas, sendo que para a concentração de albumina houve resposta linear. A inclusão de propilenoglicol na dieta das ovelhas e a idade dos cordeiros alteram a concentração dos metabólitos proteicos e minerais nas crias. Contudo, a utilização do propilenoglicol na alimentação de ovelhas lactantes não proporciona efeitos negativos nos parâmetros sanguíneos dos cordeiros, o que é evidenciado pela ausência de déficit nutricional (proteína e minerais) nos cordeiros lactentes.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of propylene glycol (PG) added to the water sheep drank during lactation on protein and mineral metabolites of their suckling lambs. We assessed 24 lambs born to sheep fed levels of propylene glycol in the water (0; 1.5; 3.0 and 4.5%). The sheep were subdivided according to a completely randomized design, in a split-plot scheme. There was no interaction effect between lamb age and amount of PG provided to the sheep on the concentration of protein and mineral metabolites of the lambs. The concentration of total protein, globulin, and albumin: globulin ratio, uric acid and creatinine in the lambs was not affected by the inclusion of PG (p > 0.05). The concentration of urea and magnesium in the lambs presented a quadratic response as a function of the addition of PG; there was linear response for albumin concentration. The addition of PG to the sheep’s diet and the lambs’ age affect the concentration of protein and mineral metabolites in the lambs. However, using PG to feed lactating sheep does not have negative effects on the lambs’ blood parameters, as evidenced by the absence of nutritional deficiency (protein and minerals) in the suckling lambs.

Objetivou-se encontrar o nível ótimo de inclusão da torta de dendê na dieta de ovinos. Foram utilizados 18 carneiros, castrados, sem raça definida alimentados com níveis de inclusão da torta de dendê de 0%, 7,5%, 15% e 22,5% na dieta total. Os animais foram mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas por 21 dias. Os dados foram submetidos a estudo de regressão com 5% de significância para as equações e coeficientes de regressão. A inclusão da torta de dendê provocou redução nos consumos de MS, hemicelulose, FDN, PB, NDT, CHOT e MM (P<0,01) e não houve diferenças significativas nos de celulose, FDA e CNF (P>0,05). Os consumos de EE e lignina foram crescentes (P<0,01). O teor de fibra das dietas aliado ao consumo de lignina pelos animais provocou redução nos coeficientes de digestibilidade da EB e de todos os nutrientes avaliados (MS, PB, celulose, hemicelulose, FDN; P<0,05). Houve redução na metabolizabilidade das dietas devido ao aumento da EB fecal (P<0,01). O balanço de nitrogênio foi positivo em todos os tratamentos. A inclusão da torta de dendê acima de 7,5% na dieta de ovinos provoca redução no CMS e na digestibilidade de nutrientes com possível comprometimento do desempenho, especialmente, em animais de alta produção.

The aim of this study was to find the optimum inclusion level of palm kernel cake in sheep diet. We used 18 castrated rams, fed diets with inclusion levels of palm kernel cake of 0%, 7.5%, 15% and 22.5% of the total diet. Animals were housed in metabolic cages for 21 days. Data were subjected to regression study with 5% significance for equations and regression coefficients. The inclusion of palm kernel cake caused reduction in DM, hemicellulose, NDF, CP, TDN, TC and MM (P <0.01) and no significant differences in cellulose, ADF and NFC (P> 0.05). The intake of EE and lignin increased (P<0.01). The fiber content of the diets added to the consumption of lignin by the animals caused reduction in digestibility of GE and all analyzed nutrients (DM, CP, hemicellulose, NDF; P>0.05). There was reduction in metabolizability of the diets due to increased GE of feces (P <0.01). Nitrogen balance was positive in all treatments. The inclusion of palm kernel cake above 7.5% in sheep diet causes reduction in DMI and digestibility of nutrients with possible performance losses, especially in high-performance animals.

O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Federal de Lavras. Foram utilizados 64 cordeiros. Após o nascimento, os animais foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos: Dieta A -8,67; Dieta B -17,34; Dieta C -26,01 e Dieta D -34,68% de FDN proveniente da forragem (FDNf) na dieta. Aos três dias de idade, os cordeiros foram separados de suas mães e passaram a receber substituto do leite de ovelha até o desaleitamento aos 55 dias. As dietas experimentais utilizadas foram isonitrogenadas, balanceadas para atender às exigências nutricionais de cordeiros em crescimento, exceto energia. Foram conduzidos quatro ensaios de digestibilidade das dietas utilizadas, para determinação da energia metabolizável (EM), em diferentes idades (43, 83, 123 e 173 dias de vida). As variáveis biométricas analisadas foram peso vivo, peso dos testículos, volume e circunferência escrotal. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados (DBC) em arranjo fatorial 4 x 4 (quatro níveis de FDNf na dieta e quatro idades de abate), com 4 repetições por tratamento. A estimativa da circunferência escrotal através do peso vivo mostrou ser mais eficiente do que em função da idade. A predição do peso e das dimensões dos testículos através da circunferência escrotal mostrou ser mais eficiente do que através da idade e do peso vivo. Os animais que receberam as rações com menos fibra de origem forrageira, isto é, com maiores quantidades de energia, apresentaram melhores resultados de biometria testicular em relação aos que consumiram menores quantidades de energia.

The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Lavras. We used 64 lambs, which, after birth, were divided into four treatments: Diet A -8.67; Diet B -17.34, Diet C -26.01 and Diet D -34.68% neutral detergent fiber from forage (NDFf) in the diet. At three days of age, lambs were separated from their mothers and began receiving sheep milk replacer until weaning at 55 days. The experimental diets were isonitrogenous, formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of growing lambs, except for energy. Four digestibility diet essays were conducted for determining of metabolizable energy (ME) at different ages (43, 83, 123 and 173 days of life). The biometric variables analyzed were weight, testis weight, scrotal circumference and volume. The experimental design was in randomized blocks (DBC), in a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement (four levels of dietary NDFf and four slaughter ages), with 4 replicates per treatment. The estimation of scrotal circumference by weight proved to be more efficient than in function of age. The prediction of the size and weight of the testes through scrotal circumference was more efficient than by the age and body weight. Animals fed diets with less fiber from forage, that is, with greater amount of energy, showed better results of testis biometry compared to the animals fed smaller amounts of energy.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes inclusões da farinha do endocarpo I do babaçu sobre o consumo e comportamento ingestivo de ovinos. Vinte ovinos machos não castrados foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em quatro tratamentos com cinco repetições por tratamento. Os animais receberam dietas experimentais isofibrosas, isoenergéticas e isonitrogenadas (zero; 7,5%; 15%; 22,5%). O comportamento ingestivo foi realizado durante o período de 24 horas, sendo as variáveis comportamentais: ócio, ruminação e alimentação e mastigação. Observou-se que o consumo de matéria seca em função do peso vivo e do peso metabólico reduziu linearmente com a inclusão da farinha do endocarpo I na dieta. A eficiência de alimentação, ruminação e mastigação quando expressa em gramas /matéria seca/hora, reduziu de forma linear com as diferentes inclusões do subproduto. O comportamento ingestivo das atividades alimentação, ócio, ruminação e mastigação em minutos por dia não foi alterado neste ensaio

The objective of this work was to investigate the ingestive behavior of sheep fed with different inclusions of babassu endocarp meal I. The animals receive isofibrous, isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets containing the by-product in increasing levels of inclusion (zero; 7,5%; 15%; 22,5%). Twenty rams were used in this study and distributed in four treatments with five repetitions each. The ingestive behavior was conducted over a period of 24 hours, with visual observations at 5 minutes intervals and the variables being: idle, ruminating, feeding and chewing. The study demonstrated that the dry matter intake in function of the body weight and the metabolic weight decreased linearly as the babassu endocarp meal I was included in the diet. The feeding, ruminating and chewing efficiency when expressed in grams/dry matter/hour was reduced in a linear response with the different inclusions of the by-product. The ingestive behavior of feeding, idle, rumination and chewing activities in minutes/day was not altered in this study

Objetivo-se avaliar o efeito diferente de tamanhos de partículas do volumoso e a frequência de alimentação sobre o metabolismo dos animais. Oito carneiros com peso vivo médio de 52,5kg foram distribuídos em esquema fatorial 2x4, de modo a corresponder a duas frequências de alimentação e quatro tamanhos (2mm; 5mm; 10mm e 25mm), em delineamento em blocos ao acaso. Foi utilizado o feno de Tifton-85 (Cynodon spp.) como volumoso e concentrado comercial, o que impôs um ajuste na relação volumoso:concentrado, que assim ficou quantificada: 25:75%. O trabalho de respirometria foi conduzido em câmara respirométrica, tipo circuito aberto, para pequenos ruminantes. Foram determinados os teores de oxigênio, gás carbônico e metano. Na urina, foi determinado o teor de nitrogênio. A partir desses parâmetros, foi determinada a produção de calor (PC). O nitrogênio retido representou 36,0% do Nitrogênio (N) ingerido (g/dia) e 46,8% do N absorvido (g/dia). A produção média de CH4 foi de 1,45L/UTM/dia. A PC foi cerca de 40,0% da energia bruta ingerida. A energia metabolizável foi 73,2% da Energia bruta ingerida e a energia líquida apresentou valor médio de 1.807,35kcal/dia. Não houve efeito dos tamanhos de partícula e da frequência sobre o balanço de nitrogênio e o metabolismo energético.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different forage particle sizes and the feeding frequency on the animals metabolism. Eight lambs with 52.5kg live weight were distributed in a randomized block design according the 2x4 factorial, corresponding to two feeding frequencies and four particle sizes (2mm; 5mm; 10mm and 25mm). The forage used was the Tifton-85 hay (Cynodon spp.) and commercial concentrate, adjusting the forage: concentrate ratio to 25:75%. The respirometry experiment was conducted in an open circuit respiration chamber for small ruminants. The concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide and methane were determined. Nitrogen content was determined in urine. With these parameters was determined heat production (PC). The nitrogen retained represented 36.0% of Nitrogen (N) intake (g/day) and 46.8% of N absorbed (g/day). The CH4 average production was 1.45L/UTM/day. The PC was approximately 40.0% of crude energy intake. The metabolizable energy was 73.2% of crude energy intake and the average value of net energy was 1807.35kcal/day. There was no effect of particle size and feeding frequency on the nitrogen balance and energy metabolism.

A neosporose e a toxoplasmose são doenças parasitárias que podem causar problemas reprodutivos em caprinos e ovinos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos IgG anti-Neospora caninum e anti-Toxoplasma gondii em caprinos e ovinos dos municípios de Amarante do Maranhão e Buritirana, microrregião de Imperatriz, Oeste maranhense, Nordeste do Brasil, bem como avaliar fatores associados à infecção por esses agentes etiológicos. Amostras de sangue de 110 animais (46 caprinos e 64 ovinos), provenientes de cinco propriedades, foram coletadas, e a reação de imunofluorescência indireta utilizada para o diagnóstico sorológico. Das 46 amostras de caprinos, 17,39% (n = 8) apresentaram anticorpos anti-N. caninum e 4,35% (n = 2) anti-T. gondii, enquanto das 64 amostras de ovinos, 4,69% (n = 3) e 18,75% (n = 12) apresentaram anticorpos anti-N. caninum e anti-T. gondii, respectivamente. Não houve diferença significativa, considerando-se a presença de gato e/ou cão na propriedade e assistência veterinária para ambos os agentes estudados. Entretanto, suplementação alimentar e presença de animais com problemas reprodutivos diferiram significativamente (p < 0,05) em ovinos e caprinos, respectivamente. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstraram que caprinos e ovinos, da região Oeste do Maranhão são expostos aos coccídios N. caninum e T. gondii. Essa é a primeira evidência desses agentes em pequenos ruminantes nessa região.

Neosporosis and toxoplasmosis are parasitic diseases which can cause reproductive problems in goats and sheep. The current study aimed to determine the occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in goats and sheep from the districts of Amarante do Maranhão and Buritirana, Imperatriz microregion, western area of Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil, and to assess factors associated to infection by these etiologic agents. Blood samples from 110 animals (46 goats and 64 sheep) from five herds were collected, and indirect immunofluorescence assay was used for serological testing. Of 46 goat samples, 17.39% (n = 8) showed anti-N. caninum antibodies and 4.35% (n = 2) anti-T. gondii, while of 64 sheep samples 4.69% (n = 3) and 18.75% (n = 12) showed anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies, respectively. No significant difference regarding the presence of domestic cats and/or dogs on the property and veterinary care was seen for both etiologic agents studied. However, food supplementation and animal reproductive failure were significantly (p < 0.05) for N. caninum among sheep and goats, respectively. The current study showed that goats and sheep in western Maranhão are exposed to N. caninum and T. gondii. It is the first evidence of these agents in small ruminants in this region.

Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a influência de diferentes níveis de fibra em detergente neutro dietético sobre o consumo e digestibilidade aparente de ovelhas Santa Inês. Para isto foi realizado um ensaio de digestibilidade in vivo, no Setor de Ovinocultura, do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Lavras. Foram utilizadas 16 ovelhas adultas, não gestantes e não lactantes, da raça Santa Inês, com peso vivo de 45,01 ± 2,15 kg, distribuídas em delineamento quadrado latino (4x4), com quatro tratamentos (8,67%; 17,34%; 26,01% e 34,69% de FDN forrageiro). Os tratamentos influenciaram as variáveis referentes ao consumo de MS, MO, ED, EM, PB, PD, FDN e FDA, bem como os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da MS, MO e FDA. Já os coeficientes de digestibilidade de FDN e PB não sofreram influência dos tratamentos.

This research was carried out at the Sector of Ovinocultura of the Animal Science Department UFLA in order to investigate the effect of different levels of Neutral Detergent Fiber ( NDF) in the diet fed ovine on nutrients intake and apparent digestibility of the diet and on the feeding behavior. A feeding behavior study and an in vivo digestibility assay were conducted to determine the nutrients intake and the apparent digestibility coefficient. Sixteen adults, not pregnant and not lactating, Santa Inês ewes weighting 45,01 ± 2,15 kg were used. The experimental design was in a 4x4 latin square, with four treatments (8,67%; 17,34%; 26,01% and 34,69% of forage NDF) and four periods. The intake of DM, OM, metabolizable energy, CP, digestible protein, NDF, digestible NDF, ADF and digestible ADF as well as the apparent digestibility of DM, OM and ADF were influenced by treatments tested. Therefore the apparent digestibility of NDF and CP, were not influenced by treatments.