ABSTRACT. The physicochemical characteristics of the meat from lambs fed diets containing whole or disintegrated cottonseed, associated or not with calcium lignosulfonate (LignoCaSO3), were evaluated. Thirty non-castrated Dorper x Santa Inês lambs, with an average of 24.9 ± 3.6 kg and four months of age were confined for 60 days in collective stalls and distributed in a completely randomized design with six replications. After slaughter, by means of contrasts, the averages of the parameters of the semimembranous and semitendinosus muscles were analyzed. The cottonseed increased cooking loss and ash, and reduced muscle weight, water holding capacity and red intensity. The disintegration of the cottonseed reduced the shear force in diets without LignoCaSO3, increased the protein and the loss by cooking and reduced the pH in the diets with the additive. The luminosity values increased with the disintegration of the cottonseed in diets with and without LignoCaSO3. The addition of LignoCaSO3 increased the weight of the muscle, protein, ash, pH, shear strength and the intensity of red. Moisture, lipids and yellow intensity were not influenced by the diets. Even changing the physical-chemical characteristics, the cottonseed with or without LignoCaSO3 does not change the quality of the meat.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the growth and senescence dynamics of Digitaria eriantha cv. Survenola as a response to several canopy heights (25, 35, 45, and 55 cm) of harvests in two seasons of the year (rainy and dry). The experiment was established at the Federal University of Sergipe, in São Cristóvão - SE, Brazil, from 03/26/2015 to 03/28/2016, under a randomized-complete-block design with four replicates. Plots were irrigated, and upon reaching the pre-established canopy heights, they were cut to a 10 cm-residual height. Increasing canopy heights in the dry season led to lower tiller density, for basal and aerial tillers. However, irrespective of tiller type and season, this variable increased after the rest period. Light interception rose with canopy heights (P<0.05) in the dry period and it showed a quadratic response in the rainy season. Greater canopy heights led to a higher (P<0.05) daily leaf senescence rates and daily stem growth rates. Regardless of the season, the total accumulation and net herbage accumulation rates of basal tillers increased as canopy heights did. The greatest canopy height promoted the daily stem production, whereas the lowest height did not allow the grass to express its production potential. The defoliation-height range of 35 to 45 cm is the most recommended, as it favors the control of stem growth and leaf senescence.

Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la dinámica del crecimiento y senescencia del forraje de Digitaria eriantha Steud. cultivar Survenola al alcanzar diferentes alturas de corte (25, 35, 45 y 55 cm), en dos épocas del año (lluvias y seca). El experimento se condujo en la Universidad Federal de Sergipe, en San Cristóbal-Sergipe, entre el 26/03/2015 y el 28/03/2016, con un diseño de bloques completos aleatorizados y cuatro repeticiones. Las unidades experimentales fueron irrigadas, y al alcanzar las plantas las alturas preestablecidas, se cortaron a 10 cm sobre el nivel del suelo. Las dos alturas de rebrote mayores redujeron en la época seca la densidad poblacional de tallos basales y aéreos; sin embargo, independientemente del tipo de tallo y la época del año, la densidad de población de tallos aumentó durante el período de descanso. La intercepción de luz en la época seca se incrementó (P<0.05) en las alturas de corte mayores, y en la época de lluvias su comportamiento fue cuadrático. Las alturas de corte mayores aumentaron (P<0.05) la tasa diaria de senescencia de las hojas y la tasa diaria de crecimiento de los tallos basales y aéreos. Las tasas de acumulación total y acumulación neta de forraje de tallos basales, independientemente de las épocas, tuvieron una relación positiva con el incremento en las alturas de corte. La mayor altura de corte produjo la mayor producción diaria de los tallos; además, la menor altura de corte no permitió a la gramínea expresar su potencial productivo. El intervalo de defoliación entre las alturas de 35 a 45 cm es el más indicado, pues favorece el control en el crecimiento del tallo y la senescencia de las hojas.

Com a finalidade de avaliar o efeito do sombreamento artificial sobre as características testiculares e seminais de ovinos deslanados, foram utilizados 12 carneiros (½ sangue Santa Inês x SRD) com peso vivo médio de 38.06 ± 5.24 kg e faixa etária de cerca de oito meses. Os tratamentos foram disponibilidade ou não de sombreamento artificial, utilizando tela preta de polietileno com malha para bloquear 50% da radiação solar global. Duas vezes na semana entre 14h e 15h realizou-se a medição da circunferência escrotal (CE), comprimento escrotal (CC), volume escrotal (VE), temperatura retal (TR) e temperatura escrotal (TE). Quinzenalmente, foram realizadas análises quantitativas e qualitativas do sêmen. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que o sombreamento proporcionou menores temperaturas escrotais e maior concentração espermática, não influenciando o volume escrotal e a porcentagem de espermatozoides normais. Medidas testiculares como circunferência e comprimento escrotal foram mais elevadas ao sol. A ausência de diferenças em algumas variáveis analisadas nos grupos com e sem sombreamento, pode ser reflexo da rusticidade natural dos animais.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of availability of artificial shading on testicular and seminal characteristics of Santa Ines crossbred rams. Twelve 8 month old rams at 38.1 ± 5.2 kg average weight, were used in a total random design with two treatments: areas with and without available artificial shading (black polyethylene mesh screen for a 50% reduction of solar radiation). The scrotal circumference, scrotal length, scrotal volume, rectal temperature and scrotal temperature were measured twice a week. Also a biweekly analysis of the semen was carried out, measuring the volume and spermatic concentration as well as the percentage of normal spermatozoa. The results show that available shading provided for lower scrotal temperatures and higher sperm concentration, without influencing the scrotal volume and the percentage of normal spermatozoa. The testicular measures, such as the scrotal circumference and length were higher in the rams that were subjected to the no available shading treatment. The absence of differences, in some of the analyzed variables, between the two treatments, with and without available shading, could be due to high adaptability of the animals.