ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to assess the oxygen pulse and heart rate method (O2P-HR) using a respiration chamber at different measurement times for estimate the heat production (HP) of lambs fed increasing levels of sunflower meal in their diet. Twenty-four lambs were assigned to four experimental diets (0, 100, 200, and 300 g of sunflower meal kg-1 DM). Heat production was estimated using the O2P-HR (HPO2P) method and a respirometry chamber (HPRC). Measurements were obtained by simultaneously measuring heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption over 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 h. A flow-through respirometry chamber for small ruminants was used to determine oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide and methane production. Data on dietary treatment, measurement times and their interactions were analyzed as repeated measures using mixed model procedures and Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) estimation. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to compare techniques. There was no effect of the different levels of sunflower meal inclusion on VO2 and heat production. The HPO2P (126.16 kcal/ BW0.75/day) was 2% higher than that of the HPRC (124.61 kcal/ BW0.75/day), and the correlation coefficients was 0.628. The coefficient of variation was greater for the HPO2P (21.33%) than for HPRC (11.44%). HR (beats/min), VO2 (mL/min/BW0.75) and O2P-HR (mL/beat) required measurement times of 24, 15 and 9 hours, respectively. A measurement time of 24 h was necessary to ensure a more accurate estimate of the heat production using the O2P-HR method. ABSTRACT O2PHR OPHR O2P O P (O2P-HR HP (HP diet Twentyfour Twenty 0, 0 (0 100 200 30 kg1 kg 1 kg- DM. DM . DM) HPOP HPO (HPO2P HPRC. (HPRC) (HR 3 6 12 18 2 flowthrough flow through VO (VO2 treatment REML (REML estimation Pearsons Pearson s techniques 126.16 12616 126 16 (126.1 kcal BW0.75/day BW075day BWday BW0 75 day BW 124.61 12461 124 61 (124.6 BW0.75/day, , 0628 628 0.628 21.33% 2133 33 (21.33% 11.44%. 1144 11.44% 11 44 (11.44%) beats/min, beatsmin beats/min beats min (beats/min) mL/min/BW0.75 mLminBW075 mLminBW mL (mL/min/BW0.75 mL/beat mLbeat beat (mL/beat hours respectively PHR OP ( 10 20 (HPRC (VO 126.1 1261 (126. 7 124.6 1246 (124. 062 62 0.62 21.33 213 (21.33 114 11.44 4 (11.44% (beats/min mL/min/BW0.7 mLminBW07 (mL/min/BW0.7 126. (126 124. (124 06 0.6 21.3 (21.3 11.4 (11.44 mL/min/BW0. mLminBW0 (mL/min/BW0. (12 0. 21. (21. 11. (11.4 mL/min/BW0 (mL/min/BW0 (1 (21 (11. mL/min/BW (mL/min/BW (2 (11

RESUMO: O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar o método do pulso de oxigênio (O2P-FC) usando câmara respirométrica em diferentes tempos de medição para estimar a produção de calor de cordeiros alimentados com níveis crescentes de farelo de girassol na dieta. Vinte e quatro cordeiros foram distribuídos em quatro dietas experimentais (0,10, 20 e 30% de farelo de girassol). A produção de calor foi estimada pelo método de O2P-FC (PCO2P) e por câmara respirométrica (PCCR). As estimativas foram obtidas medindo-se simultaneamente a frequência cardíaca (FC) e o consumo de oxigênio (VO2) durante 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 e 24 horas. Uma câmara de respirométrica para pequenos ruminantes foi usada para determinar o VO2 e a produção de dióxido de carbono e metano. Os dados referentes a dieta experimental, tempos de medição e suas interações foram analisados como medidas repetidas usando os procedimentos de modelo misto e estimativa de máxima verossimilhança restrita. A correlação de Pearson foi usada para comparar as duas técnicas de estimativa da produção de calor. Não houve efeito dos diferentes níveis de inclusão de farelo de girassol sobre o consumo de oxigênio e produção de calor dos animais. A PCO2P (126,16 kcal/ PV0.75/dia) foi 2% maior que a PCCR (124,61 kcal/ PV0.75/dia), e o coeficiente de correlação foi de 62,8%. O coeficiente de variação foi maior para PCO2P (21,33%) comparado com PCCR (11,44%). A FC (batimentos/min), VO2 (mL/min/PC0,75) e o O2P-FC (mL/batimento) requerem tempos de medição de 24, 15 e 9 horas, respetivamente. É necessário a mensuração por 24 horas para garantir uma estimativa mais precisa da produção de calor usando o método de O2P-FC. RESUMO O2PFC OPFC O2P P (O2P-FC 0,10, 010 0 10 (0,10 2 30 girassol. . girassol) PCOP PCO (PCO2P PCCR. (PCCR) medindose medindo se (FC VO (VO2 3 6 12 18 metano experimental restrita animais 126,16 12616 126 16 (126,1 kcal PV0.75/dia PV075dia PVdia PV0 75 dia PV 124,61 12461 124 61 (124,6 PV0.75/dia, , 628 62 8 62,8% 21,33% 2133 33 (21,33% 11,44%. 1144 11,44% 11 44 (11,44%) batimentos/min, batimentosmin batimentos/min batimentos min (batimentos/min) mL/min/PC0,75 mLminPC075 mLminPC mL PC0 PC (mL/min/PC0,75 mL/batimento mLbatimento batimento (mL/batimento 1 respetivamente O2PFC. FC. PFC OP 0,10 01 (0,1 (PCCR (VO 126,1 1261 (126, 7 124,6 1246 (124, 62,8 21,33 213 (21,33 114 11,44 4 (11,44% (batimentos/min mL/min/PC0,7 mLminPC07 (mL/min/PC0,7 0,1 (0, 126, (126 124, (124 62, 21,3 (21,3 11,4 (11,44 mL/min/PC0, mLminPC0 (mL/min/PC0, 0, (0 (12 21, (21, 11, (11,4 mL/min/PC0 (mL/min/PC0 ( (1 (21 (11, mL/min/PC (mL/min/PC (2 (11

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the effects of the addition of oregano (Origanum vulgare) or green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) extracts (separately and associated) on feed intake, milk production, and hematological and antioxidant profiles of dairy cows. For that purpose, 16 Holstein and 16 Holstein-Gyr cows with 526.3±10.2 kg and within the first third of lactation were distributed according to a complete block design with measurements repeated in time. Treatments were control (CON), addition of 0.056% of oregano extract (OR), addition of 0.028% of green tea extract (GT), addition of a mixture of OR and GT extract (0.056% each) in the diet (MIX). Hematological and antioxidant profiles were monitored. Data were subjected to ANOVA, with block, treatment, days, and their interactions considered as fixed effects and animal and the residue as random effects. In Holstein cows, GT increased feed intake and milk yield compared with CON; in Holstein-Gyr crossbred cows, OR showed increased intake and GT increased milk yield compared with CON. Compared with CON, GT and OR decreased eosinophils concentration; OR showed the highest neutrophils concentration and neutrophils to leukocyte ratio. Compared with CON, OR presented increased catalase (CAT) activity, while GT increased the reduced glutathione concentration. The MIX treatment reduced CAT activity compared with OR, presented the lowest concentration of oxidized dichlorofluorescein in the erythrocytes (DCFER) and plasma (DCFPLA), and increased eosinophils concentration compared with GT and OR. Extracts differently affected feed intake and milk yield depending on genetic group. Feeding green tea and oregano extracts separately or associated distinctly affects the antioxidant indicators of lactating dairy cows.

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of crude protein (CP) reduction in four diets (156, 139, 132, and 127 g Kg-1 DM) maintaining constant metabolizable protein (188 g/day) on the follicular fluid and cumulus-oocyte complexes of mid-lactating Girolando cows. Twenty-two Girolando cows with average of 21.55 ±3.19 L daily milk yield, 105.30 ±22.62 days in lactation and 3.22 ±0.03 body condition score were selected. To reduce CP in diets and maintain constant metabolizable protein, urea and soybean meal were gradually replaced by lignosulfonate-treated soybean meal (SoyPass®, Cargill), resulting in an increase in rumen-undegradable protein and a reduction in rumen degradable protein. A linear and quadratic reduction was observed in the plasma and follicular fluid urea nitrogen concentration following CP reduction, with the most intense reduction occurring in the 127 g Kg-1 DM group (p<0.001). As CP reduced, there was a tendency for a linear increase in the follicular growth rate (P=0.0696), on the number and proportion of viable oocytes (P<0.09), and also a linear increase for the number (P=0.0397) and proportion (P<0.09) of grade I viable oocytes. Plus, there was a linear effect for the number of cumulus oophorus cells. Cows fed with the lowest amount of CP had cumulus-oocyte complexes with higher numbers of cumulus oophorus cells (P=0.0238). Also, the reduction of diet crude protein was followed by a decrease in the probability of oocytes’ DNA degradation. In conclusion, the reduction of CP in the diet of mid-lactating Girolando cows, reduces urea nitrogen concentration in both blood plasma and follicular fluid, and, as a consequence, increases the viability of oocytes and the number of cumulus oophorus cells while reducing oocytes’ DNA degradation of follicular included cumulus-oocyte complex. The reduction on dietary CP may improve in vivo oocytes’ embryo development impacting fertility of lactating dairy cows.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do aumento das concentrações de sólidos totais (ST) no leite, pela adição de quantidades crescentes de sucedâneo do leite em pó, sobre o comportamento de bezerras leiteiras. Bezerras mestiças Holandês-Gir (n = 60) foram distribuídas em quatro tratamentos: 13,5, 16,1, 18,2 e 20,4% de ST. Dos 5 aos 55 dias de idade, as bezerras receberam 6 L por dia de dieta líquida, que foi reduzida à metade dos 56 aos 59 dias. As bezerras foram desaleitadas aos 60 dias de idade e monitoradas até os 90 dias, e o seu comportamento foi avaliado semanalmente. Durante o desaleitamento gradual e após o desaleitamento, o comportamento das bezerras foi anotado 1 hora antes e 1 hora após o oferecimento da dieta liquida, e, durante a fase de desaleitamento, foi avaliado pelo método de varredura instantânea. As bezerras alimentadas com 20,4% de ST na dieta líquida apresentam maior número de comportamentos de brincadeiras, menor tempo de permanência em pé e maior tempo ruminando, em comparação às que receberam 13,5% de ST na dieta líquida, o que indica que maior plano nutricional durante o desaleitamento é uma estratégia efetiva para a redução do estresse nessa etapa.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of increasing the contents of total solids (TS) in whole milk, by adding increasing amounts of milk replacer powder, on the behavior of dairy heifers. Holstein-Gyr crossbred heifers (n = 60) were distributed in four treatments: 13.5, 16.1, 18.2, and 20.4% TS. From 5 to 55 days of age, heifers received 6 L per day of liquid feed, which was reduced by half from 56 to 59 days. Heifers were weaned at 60 days of age and monitored until 90 days, and their behavior was evaluated weekly. During gradual weaning and after weaning, heifer behavior was recorded 1 hour before and 1 hour after liquid feed was offered, and, during weaning, it was evaluated by the scan method. Heifers fed liquid feed containing 20.4% TS present a higher number of play behaviors, spent less time standing, and spent more time ruminating than those that received liquid feed with 13.5% TS, indicating that a higher nutritional plan during weaning is an effective strategy to reduce stress in this period.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da redução da concentração de proteína bruta (PB) em dietas com mesmo teor de proteína metabolizável sobre o consumo, o desempenho, o balanço de nitrogênio e a digestibilidade de nutrientes em vacas Holandês-Gir, em lactação. Os animais (n = 24, 103±23 dias em lactação) foram alocados em quatro tratamentos (n = 6 por grupo) com diferentes teores de PB: 127, 132, 139 e 156 g kg-1 de matéria seca (MS). O consumo de MS não foi afetado pelos tratamentos. O consumo e a digestibilidade da PB aumentaram linearmente com a elevação dos teores de PB. A produção de leite (23,7±3 kg por dia) e os teores de proteína (3,3±0,2%) e de gordura no leite (3,8±0,5%) não foram afetados pela redução da PB. O nitrogênio uréico no leite e no plasma apresentou aumentos lineares com o aumento da PB nas dietas, assim como a excreção urinária de nitrogênio. A eficiência de utilização de nitrogênio foi de 29,8 e 22,4% quando a PB foi de 127 e 156 g kg-1 de MS, respectivamente. A redução da PB na dieta de vacas Holandês-Gir no terço médio da lactação aumenta a eficiência de utilização do nitrogênio e mantém o desempenho produtivo das vacas.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of reducing crude protein (CP) contents in diets with a constant metabolizable protein content on the intake, performance, nitrogen balance, and nutrient digestibility of lactating Holstein-Gyr cows. Animals (n = 24, 103±23 days in milk) were allocated to four treatments (n = 6 per group) with different CP contents: 127, 132, 139, and 156 g kg-1 dry matter (DM). DM intake was not affected by treatments. CP intake and digestibility increased linearly with higher CP contents. Milk yield (23.7±3 kg per day) and the percentages of milk protein (3.3±0.2%) and fat (3.8±0.5%) were not affected by CP reduction. Milk and blood urea nitrogen increased linearly with the increase of CP in the diet, similarly to urinary nitrogen excretion. Nitrogen use efficiency was 29.8 and 22.4% when CP was 127 and 156 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Reducing CP in diets fed to mid-lactating Holstein-Gyr cows increases nitrogen use efficiency and maintains the productive performance of the cows.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar as exigências nutricionais para a manutenção (NRm) e o crescimento (NRg), assim como o coeficiente de retenção (RC) de cálcio, fósforo, sódio, potássio e magnésio, de bezerros da raça Holandesa. As NRm foram de 87,8, 20,8, 4,36, 2,21 e 1,01 mg kg-1 da massa de corpo vazio para Ca, P, Na, K e Mg, respectivamente. O RC foi de 0,882, 0,473, 0,274, 0,088 e 0,052 para Ca, P, Na, K e Mg, respectivamente. As exigências nutricionais de Ca e P de bezerros da raça Holandesa são maiores do que aquelas estimadas para animais adultos.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to quantify the net requirements for the maintenance (NRm) and growth (NRg), as well as the retention coefficient (RC) of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium, of Holstein calves. The NRm were 87.8, 20.8, 4.36, 2.21, and 1.01 mg kg-1 of empty body weight for Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg, respectively. The RC was 0.882, 0.473, 0.274, 0.088, and 0.052 for Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg respectively. The requirements of Ca and P of Holstein calves are higher than those estimated for adult animals.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da adição de extrato metanólico de Urochloa humidicola em quatro diferentes concentrações (0, 75, 150 e 250 g L-1) sobre a fermentação ruminal in vitro de Urochloa brizantha. As seguintes variáveis foram avaliadas pela técnica de produção de gás in vitro: parâmetros cinéticos; degradação ruminal da matéria seca; e produção e concentração dos gases metano e dióxido de carbono e dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta acetato, propionato e butirato. A inclusão do extrato metanólico reduz a produção de gases oriundos da degradação dos carboidratos não fibrosos (fração A) em 9,55, 6,67 e 13,33%, respectivamente, às concentrações de 75, 150 e 250 g L-1, em comparação ao grupo controle, mas influencia negativamente a degradação da matéria seca de U. brizantha às concentrações de 150 e 250 g L-1. O extrato apresenta efeito quadrático negativo na produção de gás durante 12 e 24 horas de incubação de U. brizantha. O extrato de U. humidicola reduz a produção de metano e aumenta a produção de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta às concentrações de 75, 150, e 250 g L-1.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of the methanolic extract of Urochloa humidicola at four different concentrations (0, 75, 150, and 250 g L-1) on the in vitro rumen fermentation of Urochloa brizantha. The following variables were evaluated by the in vitro gas production technique: kinetic parameters; rumen degradation of dry matter; and production and concentration of the methane and carbon dioxide gases and of the acetate, propionate, and butyrate short-chain fatty acids. The addition of the methanolic extract reduces the production of gases generated from the degradation of non-fibrous carbohydrates (fraction A) in 9.55, 6.67, and 13.33%, respectively, at the concentrations of 75, 150, and 250 g L-1, compared with the control group, but it negatively affects the degradation of the dry matter of U. brizantha at the concentrations of 150 and 250 g L-1. The extract shows negative quadratic effect on gas production during 12 and 24 hours of U. brizantha incubation. The extract of U. humidicola reduces methane production and increases short-chain fatty acid production at the concentrations of 75, 150, and 250 g L-1.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos do plano alimentar e do grupo racial sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade de nutrientes, o balanço de nitrogênio e o desempenho de novilhas leiteiras em condições tropicais. Trinta e seis novilhas - 12 Holandês, 12 Gir e 12 Girolando F1 (½ Holandês × ½ Gir) - foram alojadas em sistema “tie-stall” e distribuídas aleatoriamente, tendo-se adotado delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 3x3 (planos alimentares e grupos raciais). As dietas foram formuladas para possibilitar ganhos de peso de 200, 400 e 800 g por dia, correspondentes aos planos alimentares de 11, 14 e 19 g kg-1 de peso corporal (PC), respectivamente. As novilhas Gir dentro do plano de 11 g kg-1 consumiram mais matéria seca, fração fibrosa (g kg-1 de PC-0,75) e energia metabolizável (kcal de PC-0,75) do que as novilhas Girolando e Holandês. A digestibilidade do extrato etéreo foi 13,85% superior para as novilhas Gir, em comparação às Girolando F1 no plano de 19 g kg-1. O aumento do plano nutricional tem efeito quadrático no consumo de nutrientes e linear no ganho de peso médio diário, mas não influencia o coeficiente de digestibilidade. Novilhas Gir leiteiras e Girolando F1 apresentam eficiência nutricional semelhante à das novilhas Holandês.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of nutritional plans and breed composition on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, and performance of dairy heifers in tropical conditions. Thirty-six heifers - 12 Holstein, 12 Gyr, and 12 Gyrolando F1 (½ Holstein × ½ Gyr) - were housed in a tie-stall system and randomly distributed, adopting a completely randomized design in a 3×3 factorial arrangement (nutritional plans and breed composition). The diets were formulated to enable weight gains of 200, 400, and 800 g per day, corresponding to the nutritional plans 11, 14, and 19 g kg-1 body weight (BW), respectively. The intake of dry matter, fibrous fractions (g kg-1 BW-0.75), and metabolizable energy (kcal-1 BW-0.75) in the 11-g kg-1 plan were greater for Gyr heifers than for Gyrolando and Holstein heifers. Ether extract digestibility was 13.85% higher for Gyr heifers compared with Gyrolando F1 in the 19-g kg-1 plan. The increase in the nutritional plans shows a quadratic response to nutrient intake and a linear response to average daily gain, but does not affect the digestibility coefficients. Gyr and Gyrolando F1 heifers present similar nutritional efficiency to that of Holstein heifers.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a divergência nutricional de clones de Brachiaria ruziziensis através da composição química e cinética de fermentação ruminal in vitro. Os tratamentos consistiram de 23 clones de Brachiaria ruziziensis (15, 16, 46, 174, 411, 590, 651, 670, 768, 776, 844, 859, 950, 965, 970, 975, 1067, 1093, 1296, 1765, 1806, 1894 e 1972), e as testemunhas Brachiaria ruziziensis cv ‘Kennedy’, Brachiaria brizantha cv ‘Marandu’ e a Brachiaria decumbens cv ‘Basilisk’, colhidas com 27 dias de rebrota. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com 26 tratamentos (genótipos) e três repetições. A avaliação da divergência nutricional foi realizada utilizando-se a análise de componentes principais e agrupamento aglomerativo hierárquico. Com base nas seguintes variáveis discriminatórias: digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca; fibra em detergente neutro; lignina; proteína bruta; taxa de degradação de carboidratos não fibrosos e; taxa de degradação de carboidratos fibrosos. A avaliação da divergência nutricional dos clones de B. ruziziensis baseou-se nos dois primeiros componentes principais (DIVMS e FDN), explicando 96.2% da variância total. As variáveis de menor contribuição para a discriminação dos clones foram as taxas de degradação dos carboidratos fibrosos e não fibrosos. Na análise de agrupamento aglomerativo hierárquico foram identificados cinco grupos distintos, em que o grupo V, formado pelos clones 46, 768 e 1067 destacou-se em relação aos demais por apresentar valores superiores de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional diversity of Brachiaria ruziziensis clones through chemical composition and in vitro kinetics of ruminal fermentation. Twenty three clones of Brachiaria ruziziensis were used (15, 16, 46, 174, 411, 590, 651, 670, 768, 776, 844, 859, 950, 965, 970, 975, 1067, 1093, 1296, 1765, 1806, 1894 and 1972) and Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. ‘Kennedy’, Brachiaria brizantha cv. ‘Marandu’ and Brachiaria decumbens cv. ‘Basilisk’ as controls within 27 days of harvesting. The experimental design used randomized blocks with 26 treatments (genotypes) and three replications. Evaluation of the nutritional divergence was performed using principal components analysis, based on the following discriminatory variables: in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), lignin, crude protein (CP), degradation rate of non-fibrous carbohydrates (KdNFC) and degradation rate of fibrous carbohydrates (KdFC). The evaluation of the nutritional diversity of Brachiaria genotypes was based on the two main components (IVDMD and NDF), which explains 96.2% of the total variance Variables of lower contribution to the discrimination of the clones were as degradation rates of the fibrous and non-fibrous carbohydrates. In the agglomerative hierarchical grouping analysis, five distinct groups were identified, where V group, formed by clones 46, 768 and 1067 have higher values of IVDMD compared to the other clones.