ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sunflower meal (SFM) inclusion on the performance, nutrient digestibility, and respirometric parameters in sheep. Twenty-four Dorper × Santa Inês uncastrated males, with an average age of 5 mo and initial body weight (BW) of 27.91±6.0 kg, were distributed in a randomized block design with four treatment diets containing 0, 100, 200, and 300 g of SFM/kg of total dry matter, replacing soybean meal. Intake, weight gain, ingestive behavior, and in vitro digestibility were evaluated according to the SFM inclusion. The respirometric parameters were evaluated in an open-circuit respirometric chamber. There was a quadratic response in dry matter intake expressed according to the SFM inclusion, with minimum points of 90.56 g/kg 0.75 BW for inclusion levels of 96 g of SFM/kg. A linear decrease in the in vivo digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and non-fibrous carbohydrate and in vitro fermentation of dry matter and fibrous carbohydrates was observed in response to SFM inclusion. These results reflect the higher fiber content of the byproduct, which reduced the non-fibrous carbohydrates in the diets. Despite the change in nutrient availability, average daily gain (299 g/day), O 2 consumption (26.24 L/kg 0.75 BW), and CH 4 production (2.25 L/kg 0.75 BW) were not influenced by the SFM inclusion, indicating that changes in the nutritional value of the diet did not affect the animals’ energetic metabolism. Sunflower meal inclusion decreased the digestibility but did not affect the animal gain and the respirometric parameters. The SFM can replace soybean meal in the diet of growing lambs; however, it has a maximum inclusion point of 88 g SFM/kg for feed conversion, which is a necessary factor for evaluating the replacement cost.

RESUMO: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o teor de fibra fisicamente efetiva (FDNfe) de dietas totais e seus efeitos nos nutrientes da dieta, das sobras e nos parâmetros fecais de bovinos de corte em 15 confinamentos comerciais. As amostras da dieta foram separadas utilizando a peneira Penn State Particle Size Separator (PSPS). As amostras foram analisadas quanto aos teores de matéria seca (MS), matéria mineral (MM), extrato etéreo (EE), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e amido. Nas amostras de fezes também foram avaliadas o escore e pH fecal. Os confinamentos foram categorizados em dois tratamentos: FDNfe<20% e FDNfe≥20%. Os dados foram analisados por um modelo que incluiu os efeitos de grupo e covariável (sexo e grupo genético). Os teores de MS, PB, EE e amido foram menores nas dietas com FDNfe≥20%(P<0,05). A MS fecal foi maior e pH fecal matinal foi menor nas dietas com FDNfe<20% (P<0,05). Sendo assim a efetividade da fibra alterou os nutrientes da dieta total e sobras, bem como as variáveis pH e MS fecal. Com isso, o uso de PSPS e parâmetros fecais são ferramentas práticas e indiretas para medir o amido fecal e a efetividade da dieta em confinamentos de bovinos comerciais.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effects of the physically effective fiber (peNDF) content on nutrient composition of the total mixed ration (TMR), orts and fecal parameters in 15 commercial beef feedlots. The particle size distribution of TMR was measured adopting Penn State Particle Size Separator (PSPS). Samples were evaluated for dry matter (DM), ash, ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and starch content. Fecal samples were also evaluated for pH and score. The feedlots were categorized into peNDF<20% and peNDF ≥ 20%. Data were analyzed by a model that included fixed effects of treatment and covariates (sex and genetic groups). Levels of DM, CP, EE and starch were lower in TMR with peNDF ≥ 20% (P<0.05). Fecal dry matter was higher and morning fecal pH was lower for TMR with peNDF<20% (P<0.05). Physically effective fiber changed nutrient levels in TMR, orts, fecal pH and DM. So, using PSPS and fecal parameters are practical and indirect tools for measuring fecal starch and assessing the effectiveness of the diet supplied to ruminants.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance, body morphometric measurements and testicular development in lambs fed with different rates of sunflower meal inclusion. The animals (24) were randomly distributed in treatments with 0, 10, 20 and 30% of sunflower meal in the dry matter of the diet, in six replicates, during 56 days of confinement. The addition of the coproduct at increasing dietary rates increased linearly the dry matter intake in the percentage of live weight and neutral detergent fiber. Despite this, there was a linear reduction in ether extract intake and chest width. On the other hand, there was no difference in daily, total and final weight gains. The body condition score; height of withers, croup and thorax; length of body and croup; width of fore croup, hind croup and chest; thoracic and neck diameters also did not change with the addition of the coproduct. The testicular measures 26.76; 6.11; 6.08; 5.22; 5.21; 4.80, and 4.81cm varied quadratically with the inclusion. Therefore, the inclusion of 30% of the coproduct changes nutrient intake and testicular biometry, but does not interfere in the body weight and development, being an economical alternative.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de feno de folha ou pseudocaule de banana em dietas completas sobre a ingestão, a digestibilidade de nutrientes e a produção ruminal de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta em cordeiros. Foram utilizados 30 cordeiros Santa Inês x Dorper, alocados em cinco tratamentos: 400 g kg-1 de feno de Cynodon spp.; 200 g kg-1 de feno de folha de bananeira + 200 g kg-1 de feno de Cynodon spp.; 400 g kg-1 de feno de folha de bananeira; e 200 g kg-1 de feno de pseudocaule de banana + 200 g kg-1 de feno de Cynodon spp. e 400 g kg-1 de feno de pseudocaule de banana. A inclusão de resíduos culturais de banana não teve efeito sobre consumo de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido, carboidratos não fibrosos e carboidratos totais, cujas médias foram de 1.086,8, 1.000,1, 182,7, 374,3, 194,7, 390,2 e 771,6 g por dia, respectivamente. Houve redução na digestibilidade da FDN com a inclusão de 400 g kg-1 de feno de folhas, mas não foram observadas diferenças nos outros tratamentos. A adição de feno de folha e de pseudocaule de banana pode substituir o feno de Cynodon spp. sem alterar a ingestão, a digestibilidade de nutrientes e a concentração ruminal de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of banana leaf or pseudostem hay in complete diets on the intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal short-chain fatty acid production by lambs. A total of 30 Santa Inês x Dorper lambs were allocated to five treatments: 400 g kg-1 Cynodon spp. hay; 200 g kg-1 banana leaf hay + 200 g kg-1 Cynodon spp. hay; 400 g kg-1 banana leaf hay; and 200 g kg-1 banana pseudostem hay + 200 g kg-1 Cynodon spp. hay and 400 g kg-1 banana pseudostem hay. The inclusion of banana crop residues had no effect on dry matter intake, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total carbohydrates, which presented averages of 1,086.8, 1,000.1, 182.7, 374.3, 194.7, 390.2, and 771.6 g per day, respectively. There was a reduction in NDF digestibility with the inclusion of 400 g kg-1 leaf hay, but no differences were observed in the other treatments. The addition of both banana leaf and pseudostem hay can replace Cynodon spp. hay without affecting intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal concentration of short-chain fatty acids.

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to determine the effects of the inclusion of macauba cake, from biodiesel processing, on profile of rumen protozoa of Santa Ines lambs. Twenty-four lambs were randomized in block design supplemented with macauba cake at 0, 100, 200, and 300 g/kg of dry weight of the diet. Concentrations of small, medium, and large protozoa had quadratic relationships with inclusion of macauba cake, with maximum protozoa occurring at 100 g/kg. High genus diversity occurred in rumen fluid of lambs that did not feed macauba cake, comprising 13 protozoa genera. However, only the genera Isotricha, Charonina, Entodinium, Diplodinium, Eodinium, Diploplastron, and Polyplastron were detected in lambs fed 300 g/kg macauba cake, indicating that these protozoa were resistant to the effects of the cake. Addition of macauba cake levels greater than 100 g/kg show antiprotozoal effect in the rumen.

Protozoários do rúmen podem representar 40% do nitrogênio total e 60% do produto final da fermentação e apresentam atividade celulolítica. Neste estudo, objetivou-se quantificar e identificar as populações de protozoários no rúmen de novilhos, criados exclusivamente em pastagem, durante o período seco do ano, no Norte de Minas Gerais. Amostras do suco ruminal de 36 novilhos mestiços Nelore foram coletadas diretamente do rúmen, após o abate, durante o inicio, meio ou fim do período de estiagem. Para conservação dos protozoários, 1 mL do suco ruminal foi diluído em 9 mL de solução de formaldeido a 10%. Posteriormente, foram realizadas diluições decimais em solução salina e contagem de protozoários pequenos, médios e grandes em câmara de Sedgewick Rafter. As concentrações de protozoários foram transformadas em log10 (x+1) e submetidas à análise de variância e as médias comparadas com teste de Duncan. As frequências dos gêneros foram comparadas com o teste do qui-quadrado. As médias da concentração total e de pequenos e médios protozoários diminuíram significativamente com o decorrer do período seco; entretanto, os grandes protozoários não apresentaram alterações na concentração média durante os três períodos avaliados. Foram identificados 7749 protozoários, pertencentes a 17 gêneros diferentes. Observou-se que os gêneros Charonina e Entodinium apresentaram alta ocorrência no início, meio e final do período da seca (p<0,05), indicando a participação desses ciliados em bovinos alimentados exclusivamente a pasto, durante esse período do ano.

Protozoa of the rumen can represent 40% of total nitrogen and 60% of the final product of fermentation and it has cellulolytic activity. This study aimed to quantify and identify the ruminal protozoa populations from steers, raised exclusively on pastures during the dry season in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Samples of ruminal fluid of 36 Nellore steers were collected directly from the rumen immediately after slaughter, during the early, middle or end of the dry season. For protozoa conservation, 1 mL of ruminal fluid was diluted in 9 mL of 10 % formaldehydes solution. Decimal dilutions were made in saline and the counting of small, medium and large protozoa was performed in Sedgewick Rafter chamber. The protozoa concentrations were transformed into log10 (x +1), subjected to variance analysis and the means were compared with Duncan test. The genus frequencies were compared with chi-square test. The concentration average of the total and of small and medium protozoa declined significantly over the course of the dry season; however, alterations in large protozoa concentrations were not detected over the three periods evaluated. A total of 7749 protozoa were identified, belonging to 17 different genera. Charonina spp. and Entodinium spp. had the highest occurrence during the three periods of dry season (P <0.05), suggesting the participation of these ciliates in rumen cattle fed exclusively on tropical pasture during this season.

Objetivou-se avaliar o consumo, o desempenho e a incidência de diarreia de bezerros da raça Holandesa, além de realizar análise técnica e econômica dos sistemas artificiais de aleitamento convencional e fracionado. Foram utilizados 22 animais, sendo 12 machos e 10 fêmeas, com peso corporal inicial médio de 37,26kg (±3,42), distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, de acordo com o sexo, alojados em baias individuais até os 59 dias de idade dos animais. O aleitamento convencional constituiu-se de quatro litros de leite diários durante 59 dias e o fracionado, de seis litros do 6º ao 25º; quatro litros do 26º ao 45º e dois litros do 46º ao 59º dia de idade, além de concentrado, de feno de Cynodon sp., de água e de suplemento mineral fornecidos ad libitum. O consumo dos alimentos e incidência de diarreia foram monitorados diariamente e os animais, pesados e medidos, semanalmente. Os dados de consumo, de ganho de peso diário, medidas de crescimento, conversão alimentar e a incidência de diarreia foram analisados em parcelas subdivididas. O ganho total corporal e o peso corporal final foram analisados em delineamento em blocos casualizados. O peso corporal inicial foi utilizado como covariável. O sistema de aleitamento não interferiu (p>0,05) nos consumos de concentrado, feno, água e o desempenho dos animais. O aleitamento fracionado proporcionou maior (p<0,05) consumo total de matéria seca no terceiro período de avaliação e menor custo por kg de ganho de peso total, indicando-o como melhor estratégia na bovinocultura leiteira.

This study aimed to evaluate the intake, performance and incidence of diarrhea in Holstein dairy calves, besides perform the technical and economic analysis of the artificial fed milk conventional and fractionated. Were used 22 animals, 12 males and 10 females, with an average initial of body weight of 37.26kg (±3.42), allotted in a randomized block design housed in individual pens until 59 days old of animals. The feed milk conventional consisted of four liters of milk daily for 59 days and fractionated, six liters of 6º to 25º, four liters of 26º to 45º and two liters of 46º to 59º days old, besides of starter, hay Cynodon sp., water and mineral supplement provided ad libitum. The food consumption and incidence of days with diarrhea were monitored daily and the animals were weighed and measured weekly. The consumption data, daily weight gain, measures of growth, feed conversion and the incidence of days with diarrhea were analyzed in split plot. The total gain and final body weight were analyzed in a randomized block design. The initial body weight was used as a covariate. The nursing system did not affect (p>0.05) hay and water intakes, and animal performance. The fractionated breastfeeding provided greater (p<0.05) dry matter total intake of in the third period of evaluation and lowest cost per kilogram of total weight gain, indicating it is a best strategy as in dairy cattle.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de bezerros da raça Holandesa, aleitados com leite ou silagem de leite de transição diluída em água ou misturada ao leite, bem como realizar análise econômica das dietas. Foram utilizados 18 animais, com peso corporal inicial médio de 36,50±4,03 kg, alojados individualmente em baias. Os animais receberam quatro litros de dieta líquida por dia, durante 54 dias. Os dados de consumo, ganho de peso diário, medidas de crescimento e conversão alimentar foram analisados em parcelas subdivididas; e o peso corporal final, o ganho total e a ocorrência de diarreia foram analisados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. A silagem de leite de transição não alterou o consumo de concentrado e o total de matéria seca, nem a ocorrência de diarreia. O desempenho dos animais foi reduzido, quando a silagem foi diluída em água, o que resultou em menor peso final e menor ganho total de peso. Os animais tratados com silagem misturada ao leite tiveram desempenho similar aos tratados com leite, o que possibilita menor custo por quilograma de ganho de peso total e se mostra como opção viável para o aleitamento de bezerros leiteiros.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of Holstein calves fed with milk or transition milk silage diluted on water or mixed with whole milk, as well as to determine the economic viability of the diets. Eighteen calves, with an average initial body weight of 36.50±4.03 kg, were individually housed in stalls. The animals were fed four liters of the liquid diet a day, during 54 days. Consumption data, daily weight gain, growth measurements, and feed conversion were analyzed in split plots. Final body weight, total weight gain, and occurrence of diarrhea were analyzed in a completely randomized design. Transition milk silage did not affect concentrate intake, total dry matter intake and the occurrence of diarrhea. Animal performance was reduced when silage was diluted on water, resulting in lower final weight and lower total weight gain. Animals treated with transition milk silage mixed with whole milk had a similar performance to the ones treated with whole milk, which allows a lower cost per kilogram of total weight gain, and shows to be a viable option for the feeding of milking calves.

A utilização de forrageiras tolerantes ao sombreamento é fundamental para a sustentabilidade da integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta. Estudou-se o comportamento do Panicum maximum cv. 'Tanzânia' e do Andropogon gayanus cv. 'Planaltina' sob diferentes níveis de sombreamentos e épocas de entrada sob a sombra. Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial com dois tipos de sombreamento: 30% e 50%; três épocas de entrada na sombra após transplante (07, 14 e 21 dias); e uma testemunha, mantida a pleno sol. Mudas com 8 a 12cm de altura das duas espécies, pré-cultivadas em bandejas de isopor, foram transplantadas para vasos e mantidas nos respectivos ambientes sombreados ou a pleno sol por 90 dias, em livre crescimento. A época de entrada na sombra não interferiu na produtividade e nos teores de clorofila foliar das cultivares, assim como na composição bromatológica. As massas seca e fresca das cultivares 'Tanzânia' e 'Planaltina' foram superiores em ambientes sombreados, quando comparadas ao pleno sol. As duas forrageiras, quando sombreadas, incrementaram os teores de clorofila a, porém não se observou alteração para clorofila b. A adaptação positiva em ambientes sombreados das cultivares torna-se promissora em sistemas de integração silvipastoris.

The use of grasses tolerant to shade is essential to the sustainability of the Farming-Livestock-Forest Integration System. The performance of Panicum maximum cv. 'Tanzania' and Andropogon gayanus cv. 'Planaltina' under different levels of shading and times of entry under the shade were studied. We used designs in randomized blocks with four replications in a factorial scheme with two types of shading: 30% and 50%; three times of entry into the shade after transplantation (07, 14 and 21 days) and a witness, kept in full sun. Seedlings 8 to 12cm high of both species, pre-cultivated in styrofoam trays were transplanted to pots and maintained in their respective environments under the shade or full sun for 90 days in normal growth. The time of entry into the shade does not interfere with productivity and leaf chlorophyll content of cultivars, as well as in the bromatological composition. The fresh and dry matter of the cultivars of both 'Planaltina' and 'Tanzania' were higher in shaded environments rather than those in full sun. The two forage grasses when shaded increase the chlorophyll a content, but no change of chlorophyll b was thereof observed. The positive adaptation of cultivars in the shaded environments becomes promising in systems of integration of pastures with trees.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the aerobic microbiota of the rumen fluid from Holstein cows and heifers fed different tropical forage in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 30 samples of rumen fluid from cows fed with sorghum silage were collected: 32 from cows fed Brachiaria brizantha, 12 from heifers that received sorghum silage and 11 from calves fed sugar cane foliage. The culture was carried out using the agar Sabouraud medium and the solid C medium, containing microcrystalline cellulose. The isolated mycelial fungi were identified by microculture technique and yeasts by micromorphological and physical-chemical analysis. Specific identification for yeasts was confirmed by ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. The presence of fungal colonies was confirmed on the Sabouraud medium for 100% of the samples. No significant differences were observed comparing the concentrations of mycelia fungi in the rumen fluid from cows fed different forages and for the two categories evaluated, fed sorghum silage. Yeast populations in the rumen fluid from heifers fed sugarcane were higher compared with those receiving sorghum silage. The yeast Pichia kudriavzevii (Candida krusei) was the most frequent and among the mycelial fungi, the genus Aspergillus was the most frequently observed, corresponding to 56% of the samples. Future studies should elucidate the variations in the populations of these microorganisms considering the carbohydrate sources in the tropical forages and the animal categories. The ecological or pathogenic role of these microorganisms should also be considered, aiming at improved productivity and health of cattle.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o consumo de nutrientes e o desempenho produtivo e econômico de ovinos confinados da raça Santa Inês, alimentados com dietas com diferentes taxas de inclusão de torta de macaúba. Os animais (24) foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, nos tratamentos com 0, 100, 200 e 300 g kg-1 de torta de macaúba na matéria seca da dieta, em seis repetições, durante 60 dias de confinamento. A adição de torta de macaúba a taxas crescentes à dieta aumentou linearmente o consumo de proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente neutro e a conversão alimentar. Não houve diferença no consumo de matéria seca, ganho médio diário e ganho de peso vivo total com a adição da torta. O tratamento com inclusão de 100 g kg-1 apresentou a melhor relação custo:benefício na avaliação das receitas bruta e líquida obtidas com a venda dos animais vivos e abatidos. A adição da torta de macaúba em até 300 g kg-1 da dieta não altera o desempenho produtivo dos animais, entretanto, a inclusão de 100 g kg-1 proporciona melhor retorno econômico.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutrient uptake and the productive and economic performance of confined Santa Inês lambs fed diets with different levels of macauba pie inclusion . The animals (24) were distributed in a randomized block design, in treatments with 0, 100, 200 and 300 g kg-1 macauba pie in the diet dry matter, with six replicates during 60 days of confinement. The addition of macauba pie at increasing rates to the diet linearly increased the intake of crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber and feed conversion. There was no difference in dry matter intake, average daily gain and total live weight gain with the macauba pie addition. Diet with 100 g kg-1 macauba pie inclusion showed the best cost:benefit ratio in the evaluation of gross and net revenues from the sale of live and slaughtered animals. The addition of macauba pie up to 300 g kg-1 to the diet does not affect the animal growth performance; however, the addition of 100 g kg-1 macauba pie provides a better economic return.

This experiment evaluated the effect of adding macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) cake replacing corn on body measurements and carcass characteristics of Santa Inês lambs. Twenty four 5-month-old uncastrated male lambs were tested using a randomized blocks design. Lambs were distributed into four experimental groups, receiving diets with 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg of macaúba cake. After 60 days in feedlot, measurements of body length, thoracic perimeter, height at the anterior and rump height were taken. The lambs were slaughtered, skinned and eviscerated. Carcass were weighed hot and chilled at 2 ºC during 24 h. Cooling losses, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, hot carcass yield, cold carcass yield, half carcass weight, fat thickness, final weight, slaughter weight, empty body weight, thorax depth, croup width, perimeter of the croup, carcass length, internal carcass length, hindlimb length, hindlimb width and hindlimb conformation score were evaluated. Only hindlimb width was inversely correlated to adding macaúba cake in the diet. Macaúba cake can be included in diets for lamb in feedlot up to 300 g/kg without affecting body measurements in vivo or carcass characteristics.

A casca de pequi é um resíduo do processamento do fruto, encontrado em grande volume nas regiões do cerrado brasileiro, que pode constituir uma alternativa para a alimentação de ruminantes. Avaliou-se a cinética da degradação ruminal da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) do farelo da casca de pequi (FCP) e de dietas contendo diferentes níveis do resíduo em substituição ao capim-elefante (CE). Foram utilizados quatro caprinos, machos, portando cânulas ruminais, dispostos em um delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com parcela subdividida. Avaliaram-se os parâmetros de degradabilidade do FCP, capim-elefante e de dietas contendo 0, 10, 20 e 30% de FCP em substituição ao CE. Os alimentos foram incubados no rúmen nos tempos de 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas. Os resultados indicaram degradação potencial da MS, PB e FDN do resíduo superiores a 90, 80 e 80%, respectivamente. A adição do FCP em substituição ao CE resultou em maior degradabilidade da matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro, reflexo da maior fração solúvel e potencialmente degradável da MS do FCP. Para a fração protéica, a adição de FCP correlacionou-se negativamente com a fração solúvel, degradação potencial e efetiva, e positivamente com a fração insolúvel potencialmente degradável. A substituição do capim-elefante por FCP permite melhor aproveitamento da dieta, elevando o aporte de nutrientes ao animal.

The pequi hulls is a waste of pequi processing, found in large volume in the Brazilian Cerrado, which may provide an alternative to ruminants' diet. This experiment was developed to evaluate the ruminal degradation kinects of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of pequi hulls bran (PHB) and experimental diets, with different substitution levels of elephant grass (EG) by pequi hulls bran. Four goats castrated with ruminal cannulas were used in a randomized complete block as experimental design. It was evaluated the ruminal degradation of PHB, elephant grass and four diets with 0, 10, 20 e 30% of PHB in substitution to elephant grass. The feeds were incubated in the rumen at times 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The results showed that the PHB had high degradation potential DM, CP and NDF, over 90, 80 and 80% respectively. The addition of the PHB, replacing the EG, resulted in a higher degradability of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, because the pequi waste had higher soluble and potentially degradable fraction of DM than elephant grass. The PHB addition was negatively correlated with the soluble CP and with the potential and effective degradation of the CP, and positively correlated with insoluble potentially digestible CP. The EG substitution for PHB allows better utilization of the diets, increasing the nutrient supplies to the animal.

Com o presente estudo, foi avaliada a eficácia in vitro de extratos vegetais de resíduos da bananicultura sobre a inibição do desenvolvimento larval de nematódeos gastrintestinais de ovinos. A técnica de coprocultura quantitativa e qualitativa foi empregada para avaliar a eficácia anti-helmíntica dos extratos aquosos de folhas, pseudocaules e corações de bananeiras da cultivar 'Prata Anã', nas concentrações 25, 75 e 150mg mL-1, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que os três extratos, em concentrações iguais ou superiores a 75mg mL-1, reduziram significativamente (P<0,05) o desenvolvimento larval dos nematódeos, com eficácia acima de 96,9%. A identificação das larvas desenvolvidas revelou a ocorrência de Haemonchus spp. nas culturas avaliadas, permitindo concluir que as partes testadas da bananeira apresentam propriedades anti-helmínticas sobre o desenvolvimento larval desse importante parasito.

This study evaluated the in vitro efficacy of aqueous extracts from banana crop residues on the inhibition of larval development of sheep gastrointestinal nematodes. The quantitative and qualitative coproculture technique was performed to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of the aqueous extract of leafs , pseudostems and hearts from banana plants, cv 'Prata Anã', at 25, 75 and 150mg mL-1 concentrations, in a completely randomized design. The results showed that the three extracts, in concentrations equal to or greater than 75mg mL-1, decreased significantly (P<0.05) the nematodes larval development, with efficacy up 96.9%. The identification of the developed larvae revealed occurrence of Haemonchus spp. in the evaluated samples, allowing to conclude that the tested parts of this plant showed anthelmintic properties on the larval development of this important parasite.

A verminose é um dos principais problemas sanitários da criação de pequenos ruminantes no Brasil e no mundo. Entretanto, pouco se conhece sobre a variação sazonal da contaminação parasitária e os efeitos da associação de um controle estratégico com um tático sobre ovinos criados em condições do Semiárido no norte de Minas. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a variação sazonal da contaminação por helmintos gastrintestinais em borregos e matrizes ovinas em um sistema de controle integrado no norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Durante um ano, mensalmente, foram coletadas amostras de 30 borregos e 30 matrizes de uma propriedade. Durante o mês de abril de 2007, foram também avaliados 68 ovinos em uma segunda propriedade, período esse que correspondeu à época de parição nas duas fazendas. Amostras de fezes foram obtidas diretamente da ampola retal para determinação do número de ovos por gramas de fezes (OPG) e os dados submetidos à análise de variância. Os valores médios do OPG das matrizes apresentaram aumento significativo nos meses de maio e outubro de 2007, meses de parição na propriedade. Já para os borregos, ocorreu aumento significativo no OPG médio em março de 2007, coincidindo com o final da estação chuvosa. O controle integrado adotado foi eficiente na redução da contaminação após esses períodos relatados. Após o cultivo das larvas, os gêneros mais observados foram Trichostrongylus, Haemonchus e Strongyloides, tanto para o período seco, quanto para o chuvoso. A comparação das contaminações das matrizes das duas propriedades no mês de abril de 2007 indicou uma média de OPG significativamente maior na segunda propriedade, que não tratou esses animais antes do parto.

The verminosis is one of the principal sanitary problems in ovine herds in Brazil and around the world. However, little is known about the seasonal variation of the helminth contamination and the effects of the combination of a strategy control and a tactical control in sheep raised under in the Northern Minas semiarid conditions. In this study, the objective was to evaluate the seasonal helminth contaminations in lambs and ewes under an integrated control in the North of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The research was carried through during December 2006 to November 2007. Monthly faecal samples from 30 lambs and 30 ewes of one farm were collected. During April 2007, 68 sheep of a second farm were also evaluated, corresponding to the peri-partum time to both farms. The samples were collected directly from the recto and the faecal egg count (FEC) was determined and evaluated by variance analysis. The ewe FEC increased significantly in May and October ,which were peri-partum periods. Lamb FEC increased significantly in March , which coincided with the rainy season end. The integrated control was efficient to reduce the contaminations after these related periods. After the larvae culture, the genus Trichostrongylus, Haemonchus and Strongyloides were the most observed to both dry and rainy periods. During April 2007 the ewe contamination was significantly higher in the second farm that did not treat these animals in the pre-partum.