ABSTRACT. The objective was to assess the physiological and behavioral variables of pasture-raised Holstein heifers on the basis of their coat color. Eight heifers were used, four with black coat, and four with white coat. In the morning and afternoon periods, their physiological variables were measured, namely respiratory rate (RR, mov min. -1), rectal temperature (TR, ºC), and coat surface temperature (TS, ºC). The behavior analysis considered the site (sun or shade), position (standing or lying down), and activities (idleness, rumination, grazing, and others). The data of the physiological variables were assessed through analysis of variance, and significance, through Tukey’s test at 5%, while behavioral data were assessed using the Chi-squared test (SAS Software). There was a difference for all of the heifers’ physiological variables as a function of coat color (p < 0.0001) and period (p < 0.0001), with black ones showing greater results than white ones as to all physiological variables in the afternoon period (p < 0.0001). Grazing behavior is reduced during the hottest hours of the day. We conclude that solar radiation changes the physiological variables and grazing behavior of pasture-raised Holstein heifers.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the reduction of crude protein (CP) in diets supplemented with synthetic amino acids for piglets of 15 to 30 kg. In the performance assay (Exp I), 60 piglets with initial weight of 15.34±0.87 kg and final weight of 30.08±1.59 kg were distributed in a randomized block design with six replicates, five treatments and two animals per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of five diets in which the CP was reduced by 1.5 percentage points, resulting in low-protein diets (19.24, 17.74, 16.24, 14.74 and 13.24%), meeting the requirements of amino acids with inclusion of L-lysine, DL-methionine, L-threonine, L-tryptophan, L-valine and L-isoleucine. The average daily gain and feed conversion according to the Linear Response Plateau model (LRP) were estimated at 14.23 and 14.79% of CP, respectively. As the CP levels were reduced, there was an increase in the essential:non-essential amino acids ratio. The plasma urea concentration decreased linearly, indicating that there was a better use for amino acids with the CP reduction. In the nitrogen balance (Exp II), 30 crossbred barrow piglets with average weight of 21.69±4.46 kg were housed in metabolic cages, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates, and the experimental unit consisted of a piglet. The biological protein value in the diets remained above the ideal (70%), in which the level of 13.24% CP corresponded to the highest value. There was no difference in levels of urea in blood and urine. Reduction of protein levels is efficient in decreasing the pollution effect in the excreta, with lower nitrogen excretion in feces and urine.

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de determinar o valor nutricional e avaliar o desempenho e características de carcaça de suínos na fase de crescimento-terminação, alimentados com rações contendo dois tipos de glicerinas semipurificadas, uma de óleo vegetal (GSPV) e uma mista de óleo de soja + gordura animal (GSPM). No ensaio de digestibilidade (experimento I) foram utilizados 32 suínos mestiços, machos castrados, com 45,08 ± 4,11kg. Foram utilizados três níveis de inclusão (6; 12 e 18%) de glicerina semipurificada (GSPV e GSPM) na dieta referência. A energia metabolizável (EM) das glicerinas foi estimada pela análise de regressão do consumo de EM (Kcal/kg) associada à glicerina vs. o consumo de glicerina (kg). Os valores de EM (Kcal/kg) obtidos foram: 2.731 para GSPV e 2.210 para GSPM. No Experimento II, 72 suínos (30,08 ± 1,65kg a 60,58 ± 3,57kg) na fase de crescimento e (60,83 ± 2,63kg a 93,79 ± 5,72kg) na fase de terminação, foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 4 + 1, sendo dois tipos de glicerina semipurificada (GSPV e GSPM), quatro níveis de inclusão (4; 8; 12 e 16%), oito unidades experimentais e uma ração testemunha, não contendo glicerina (0%). Todos os suínos foram abatidos para determinação das características da carcaça. Os resultados de desempenho sugerem que é viável a utilização em até 16% de ambas as glicerinas na alimentação de suínos em crescimento e terminação, sem prejuízos no desempenho e características de carcaça.

Two experiments were carried out to determine the nutritional value and to evaluate the performance and carcass traits in the growing-finishing pigs fed on two types of semipurified glycerin, which were made from vegetable oil (SPGV) and mixed of animal + vegetable oil (SPGM). In the digestibility trial (experiment I) 32 crossbreed barrows were used with initial body weight of 45.08 ± 4.11kg. It were used three levels of inclusion (6, 12 e 18%) of semipurified glycerin (SPGV and SPGM) in the basal diet. The metabolizable energy (ME) value of glycerin were estimated by regression of ME (kcal/kg) intake associated with glycerin vs. glycerin intake (kg). The values of ME (kcal/kg) obtained were: 2,731 for SPGV and 2,210 for SPGM. In experiment II, 72 pigs (30.08 ± 1.65 to 60.58 ± 3.57) in growing and (60.83 ± 2.63 to 93.79 ± 5.72) in finishing phase, were allotted in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 4 + 1 factorial scheme, with two types of semipurified glycerin (SPGV and SPGA), four inclusion levels (4; 8; 12 and 16%), eight experimental unit and a control diet containing no glycerin (0%). All pigs were slaughtered to evaluate the carcass traits. The performance results suggest that it is feasible to use up to 16% of both semipurified glycerins on growing and finishing pigs feeding, without impairing performance and carcass traits.

Two experiments were carried out to determine the nutritional value and to evaluate performance of piglets fed two types of crude glycerine (CG), which were made from vegetable oil (CGS) and a mix of animal fat + % soybean oil (CGA). In experiment I, a digestibility assay was conducted using 32 crossbred piglets (19.20±1.52 kg). The experimental unit consisted of one pig, with a total of four experimental units per diet. The glycerine levels used in the digestibility assay were 4, 8, and 12% of the basal diet (corn + soybean based). The digestible (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) values of glycerine were estimated by regression of DE and ME intake (kcal/kg) vs. glycerine intake (kg). The values (as-fed basis) of DE and ME (kcal/kg) obtained were: CGS = 5,070 and 4,556; CGA = 5,143 and 4,488, respectively. The results indicate that these two types of glycerine are a highly-available energy source for the feeding of piglets (15-30 kg). In experiment II, 90 piglets (BW = 15.18±0.67 to 30.28±1.68 kg), were allotted in a completely randomized design in 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, with of two types of crude glycerine (CGS and CGA) and four inclusion levels (3, 6, 9, and 12%). Five experimental units (pens with two pigs) were used for each level of crude glycerine, resulting in five replicates per treatment in the diet. Additionally, a control diet containing no glycerine (0%) was formulated. There was no interaction between levels of CG and types of crude glycerine, and the regression analysis indicates no effects of crude glycerine inclusion on performance and plasma variables. The results suggest that it is feasible to use up to 12% of both tyes of crude glycerine (obtained from soybean oil and mixed) in the diet for piglets without impairing performance, in addition to promoting a reduction of about 11% in the cost with feeding.

The objective of this experiment was to estimate the digestible tryptophan (DTrp) requirements for growing meat quails. In the first experiment (1-14 days of age), 1,950 quails were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six levels of DTrp (0.27; 0.30; 0.33; 0.36; 0.39 and 0.42% of diet), five replications and 65 quails per experimental unit. There was a linear increase of feed intake, tryptophan intake, weight gain and body weight with the DTrp levels increase. In the second experiment (15-35 days of age), 1,350 quails were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six levels of DTrp (0.22; 0.25; 0.28; 0.31; 0.34 and 0.37% of diet), five replications and 45 quails per experimental unit. There was a linear increase for tryptophan intake, carcass yield, ash levels and protein deposition rate with the DTrp levels increase. In the third experiment (28-35 days of age), conducted to determine the nitrogen balance, 150 males were housed in galvanized wire cages featuring drinker, feeder and individual metal tray lined with plastic to collect the excreta. The design was completely randomized, with six levels of DTrp (0.22; 0.25; 0.28; 0.31; 0.34 and 0.37% of diet), five replicates and five quails per experimental unit. Linear decrease was observed on the nitrogen balance and metabolization coefficient with the DTrp levels increase. The nutritional requirement of digestible tryptophan for maximum growing of meat quail, in the period from 1 to 14 days of age, is higher or equal to 0.42%; in the period from 15 to 35 days, it is 0.22%.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi estimar as exigências de lisina digestível e de energia metabolizável (EM) para codornas de corte (Coturnix coturnix sp) em crescimento. Foram utilizadas 1.680 codornas de 4 a 35 dias de idade, não-sexadas, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 × 4 (LD = 0,92; 1,12; 1,32 e 1,52% × EM = 2.800; 2.900; 3.000 e 3.100 kcal/kg de ração), totalizando 16 dietas, avaliadas com 3 repetições de 35 codornas por unidade experimental. O aumento dos níveis de lisina digestível na ração provocou aumento linear do peso corporal, do ganho de peso, do consumo de lisina e do rendimento de peito e redução do teor de água nos cortes. Quando houve aumento dos níveis de energia metabolizável na ração, observou-se redução linear no consumo de lisina e aumento do peso corporal e do rendimento de gordura abdominal. O aumento simultâneo dos níveis de lisina e energia metabolizável na ração, no entanto, provocou redução linear no consumo de ração e melhora linear da conversão alimentar no período de 4 a 35 dias, mas aumentou o teor de gordura nos cortes. A exigência nutricional de lisina digestível para máximo crescimento de codornas de corte é maior ou igual a 1,52%. O nível de 2.800 kcal/kg de EM na ração é suficiente para bom desempenho das aves, contudo, para melhor conversão alimentar, são necessário níveis mais elevados.

The objective of this experiment was to estimate the digestible lysine and metabolizable energy (ME) requirements for growing meat quails (Coturnix coturnix sp). A total of 1,680 quails from 4 to 35 days of age of both sexes were used in a complete random experimental design in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme (DL = 0.92; 1.12; 1.32 and 1.52% × ME = 2,800; 2,900; 3,000 and 3,100 kcal/kg of the ration) totaling 16 diets evaluated with 3 replications of 35 quails per experimental diet. Increase of the levels of digestible lysine in the diet linearly increased body weight, weight gain, lysine intake and breast yield and reduced water content in the cuts. When levels of metabolizable energy were increased in the diet, it was observed a linear reduction on consumption of lysine and an increase of body weight and abdominal fat yield. However, The simultaneous increase of levels of lysine and metabolizable energy in the diet linearly reduced feed intake and linearly improved feed conversion in the 4-35 day period, but it increased fat content in the cuts. The nutritional requirement of digestible lysine for maximum growth of meat quails is greater than or equal to 1.52%. The level of 2,800 kcal/kg ME in ration is sufficient to allow a good performance of the birds, however, for a better feed conversion, greater levels are needed.