ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine effects of the addition of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) to the concentrate on the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients and the grazing behavior of lactating Saanen goats. Five multiparous goats in their third lactation and four primiparous goats were used. The animals were distributed into two Latin square designs, which, for the multiparous goats was 5 × 5, with five treatments (0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, and 6.0% CSFA); and for the primiparous goats was 4 × 4, with four treatments (0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% CSFA). The addition of CSFA to the concentrate of lactating Saanen goats did not influence the time spent grazing, ruminating, or lying for multiparous goats. However, for primiparous goats, for the time spent grazing, there was a negative quadratic effect with the addition of CSFA to the concentrate. The treatments did not affect the intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fiber carbohydrates, or total digestible nutrients for multiparous goats. No effects were observed on nutrient digestibility, except for crude protein and the ether extract, which increased the energy values of the diets with 3.5% CSFA. For primiparous goats, no effects were observed on intake or digestibility. Addition of CSFA can be used as an alternative to feed primiparous goats in grassland when the grazing time is a factor limiting intake. Addition of up to 3.5% of CSFA increases the energy value of diets for multiparous goats. These results suggest that calcium salts of fatty acids is an alternative energy supplement to feed lactating goats.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da adição de sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos de cadeia longa (SCAG) na ingestão e na digestibilidade de rações foram utilizadas 25 cabritas, alojadas em gaiolas individuais e em câmara climática a uma temperatura constante de 32ºC. As cabritas foram distribuídas em delineamento em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos: controle (sem inclusão de SCAG) e com 6,25; 12,50; 18,75 e 25,00 g de SCAG kg-1 de MS. A inclusão de SCAG nas rações não influenciou as ingestões de água (3,08 L dia-1), matéria seca (0,66 kg dia-1), matéria orgânica (0,62 kg dia-1), proteína bruta (0,12 kg dia-1), fibra em detergente neutro (0,27 kg dia-1) e carboidratos totais (0,47 kg dia-1). Os resultados das digestibilidade da matéria seca (0,66 kg kg-1), matéria orgânica (0,67 kg kg-1), proteína bruta (0,78 kg kg-1), fibra em detergente neutro (0,47 kg kg-1) e carboidratos totais (0,63 kg kg-1) não foram alterados. Houve efeito linear positivo na ingestão e digestibilidade de extrato etéreo. Portanto, a adição de sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos de cadeia longa em rações de cabritas sob estresse térmico de 32ºC não influencia a ingestão e digestibilidade da matéria seca e dos nutrientes, com exceção do extrato etéreo que é intrínseco ao produto adicionado nas rações.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the addition of calcium salts of long chain fatty acids (CSFA) on the intake and digestibility of diets. Twenty-five female goat kids housed in digestibility cages and subjected to heat stress of 32°C in a climatic chamber, were used. The female kids were distributed in a randomized block design with five treatments: control (without inclusion of CSFA) and 6.25; 12.50; 18.75 and 25.00 g CSFA kg-1 of DM. The inclusion of CSFA in rations did not influence water intake (3.08 L day-1), dry matter (0.66 kg day-1), organic matter (0.62 kg day-1), crude protein (0.12 kg day-1), neutral detergent fiber (0.27 kg day-1) and total carbohydrate (0.47 kg day-1). The results of the digestibility of dry matter (0.66 kg kg-1), organic matter (0.67 kg kg-1), crude protein (0.78 kg kg-1), neutral detergent fiber (0.47 kg kg-1) and total carbohydrate (0.63 kg kg-1) were not affected by the treatments. However, there was a positive linear effect on the intake and digestibility of ether extract. Therefore, the addition of calcium salts of long chain fatty acids in the diets for female kids under heat stress of 32°C does not influence the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, except for ether extract, which is intrinsic to the product added to the rations.

De acordo com a fonte de gordura incluída na dieta de cabras, a produção de leite pode ser aumentada e a composição de ácidos graxos do leite pode ser melhorada. Este estudo foi conduzido para avaliar a inclusão de gordura protegida (SCAG - sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos) nas dietas de cabras Saanen lactantes, sobre a produção e composição do leite. Cinco cabras Saanen (63,23 ± 9,08 kg de peso corporal e 105 ± 3 dias de lactação) foram distribuídas em delineamento quadrado Latino (5 × 5) em cinco dietas: controle (sem adição de SCAG) e os demais, dietas com: 6,25; 12,50; 18,75 e 25 g de SCAG por kg de matéria seca (g/kg MS), respectivamente. A ingestão de matéria seca (IMS) e a produção de leite (PL) foram avaliadas. Amostras de leite foram coletadas para determinar a composição e o perfil de ácidos graxos. A eficiência alimentar (EA) foi estimada. A suplementação de SCAG em até 25 g/kg MS não influencia a IMS, PL e a EA. A produção de componentes do leite (g/d) não foi influenciada pela inclusão de SCAG na dieta, no entanto,houve redução linear de 0,87 g de proteína por kg de leite para cada 1% de inclusão de SCAG na dieta. A concentração de ácido linolênico (18:3n-3) no leite aumentou com o ponto de máxima de 24 g de SCAG por kg de MS. A gordura protegida pode ser incluída na dieta de cabras Saanen em lactação, em até 25 g/kg MS sem interferir na IMS e PL.

According on the fat source included in the diets for goats, the milk production can be increased and milk fatty acid composition can be improved. This study was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of protected fat (CSFA - calcium salts of fatty acids) in the diets of lactating Saanen goats on milk production and composition. Five Saanen goats (63.23 ± 9.08 kg body weight and 105 ± 3 days of lactation) were distributed in a Latin square design (5 × 5) with five diets: control (without the addition of CSFA) and the other diets with: 6.25, 12.50, 18.75 and 25.0 g CSFA per kg dry matter (g/kg DM), respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production (MP) were evaluated. Milk samples were collected to determine milk composition and fatty acid profile. Feed efficiency (FE) was estimated. The supplementation of CSFA up to 25 g/kg DM did not influence the DMI, MP and FE. Milk components production (g/d) was not influenced by the inclusion CSFA in the diet; however, there was a linear reduction of 0.87 g protein per kg of milk for each 1% CSFA included in the diet. The concentration of linolenic acid (18:3n-3) in milk was improved with a maximum point of 24 g of CSFA per kg DM. CSFA can be included in the diets of lactating Saanen goats up to 25 g/kg DM with no interference on DMI and MP.