ABSTRACT This study compared the social and feeding behaviour of immunocastrated female pigs using different immunocastration protocols. We used seventy-two gilts from industrial crossbreeding (Agroceres × Topigs) at 15 weeks of age. The pigs were distributed in a randomised design with three treatments. The second dose of the immunocastration vaccine was applied in two groups, six weeks before slaughter (I6) and four weeks before slaughter (I4). A non-immunised group (NI) was used for comparison. Due to the divergence in the time of immunisation between the two groups, an individual comparison of each immunocastrated group with the control group (NI vs. I6 and NI vs. I4) was performed. Social behaviour was analysed through the collection of images by a monitoring camera, and the analysis period was from 6:00 to 18:00 h, with behaviour observed every ten minutes. Feeding behaviour data were collected by the automated FIRE® system. Anti-GnRH immunisation and the different protocols of application did not influence most social and feeding behaviours.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the effect of birth weight on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of immunocastrated male pigs. Seventy-two boars were assigned to three birth weight categories (BiW): light BiW pigs (LP: 0.98±0.083 kg BW; n = 24), normal BiW pigs (NP: 1.42±0.067 kg BW; n = 24), and heavy BiW pigs (HP: 1.85±0.096 kg BW; n = 24). For treatment design, we considered a weight range of two standard deviations (SD) in relation to the average population body weight (from 0.785 to 2.155 kg BW−1). The animals were housed in six pens with 12 animals per pen, with ad libitum access to water and feed throughout the study. In the growing and finishing phases, pigs were immunocastrated with two doses of vaccine at 112 and 161 days of age. The three BiW categories were different up to departure from the nursery (70 days). After this period, there was no difference between NP and HP in terms of BiW. Measurements showed that a low BiW reduced the loin eye area (9.4%), longissimus thoracis muscle depth (7.6%), and meat:fat ratio (21.6%). Backfat thickness (21.5%) and fat area (11.8%) were higher in LP as compared with the NP and HP categories. Light BiW pigs presented a lower weight steak (7.0%) and belly + rib (8.6%) compared with NP and HP, but did not differ within the LP group. Light BiW pigs required a greater lodging time (14 days), generating higher accumulated feed intake to reach the same slaughter BiW as the other categories. Growth performance and carcass characteristics are influenced by the birth weight (BiW) category. Light BiW pigs require more time and feed intake to reach the same slaughter weight. Birth weight has positive effects on meat quality and weight of commercial cuts.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass characteristics and meat quality of surgically castrated and immunocastrated male pigs. Data were collected from 24 surgically castrated pigs and 24 immunocastrated male entire originating from the commercial line (Agroceres x Topigs), receiving isonutritive diets and were housed in the same experimental shed, slaughtered at 177 days old, with a slaughter weight of 127.8 (± 6.5) and 135.1 (± 7.8) kg, respectively. Carcass and meat quality characteristics such as carcass yield, lean meat yield, fat content, backfat thickness, muscle depth, pH, meat coloring and, drip, thawing and cooking loss, were evaluated. Immunocastrated pigs have heavier carcass, higher meat yield and lower fat thickness when compared to surgically castrated animals. Regarding meat quality, the immunocastrated presented a lighter meat, less reddness and less water holding capacity. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the carcass of male pigs, submitted immunocastration, has lower yield, however, more meat and less fat content, when compared to carcass of male pigs surgically castrated. Meat quality showed peculiar characteristics for immunocastrated pigs, and can be used more for sausage production, since it retains less water and have smaller redness color compared to surgically castrated pigs.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o desempenho das equações não lineares de Gompertz, logística e a de von Bertalanffy, para descrever a curva de crescimento de suínos machos imunocastrados, desde o nascimento até atingirem 140 kg de massa corporal. O erro-padrão, o número de iterações, o quadrado médio do erro e o coeficiente de determinação foram comparados entre os modelos. A equação logística e a de von Bertalanffy não estimam com precisão as massas inicial e de abate. A equação de Gompertz apresenta maior confiabilidade e é, portanto, a mais adequada para descrever a curva de crescimento de suínos imunocastrados, desde o nascimento até a obtenção de140 kg de massa corporal.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to compare the performance of the nonlinear Gompertz, logistic, and von Bertalanffy equations, to describe the growth curve of immunocastrated male pigs from birth until reaching 140 kg body weight. Standard error, number of iterations, mean square of the error, and coefficient of determination were compared between the models. The logistic and von Bertalanffy equations do not accurately estimate the initial and slaughter weights. The Gompertz equation shows the highest reliability and is, therefore, the most suitable one to describe the growth curve of immunocastrated pigs from birth until 140 kg body weight is reached.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi medir o balanço de nitrogênio (N) de suínos alimentados com dietas limitantes em lisina contendo níveis práticos de inclusão de farelo de trigo (FT) ou casca de soja (CS). Foram utilizados 24 suínos machos castrados com peso médio inicial de 57,36±2,01 kg e 72,68±3,24 kg nos experimentos 1 e 2, respectivamente. No experimento 1 os tratamentos foram CT1 - dieta controle, e FT - dieta com inclusão de 15% de FT. No experimento 2 CT2 - dieta controle, e CS - dieta com inclusão de 6% CS. As dietas fibrosas aumentaram (P<0,05) o N fecal em 64,54 e 60,55% em relação a CT1 e CT2, respectivamente. O N urinário foi maior (P<0,05) nos suínos que receberam a dieta FT, mas não foi afetado no experimento com CS. A retenção de N (NRET) foi maior (P<0,05) nos suínos alimentados com a dieta FT, entretanto quando a proporção do NRET foi expressa em relação ao N ingerido (NING) não houve diferença entre os tratamentos (P<0,05). A inclusão de CS não afetou (P<0,05) a NRET quando os resultados foram expressos em termos absolutos ou proporcionais. Em conclusão, a inclusão de níveis práticos de FT ou CS não afeta significativamente o custo metabólico envolvido no metabolismo de N. Entretanto, apenas o FT foi capaz de contribuir para o balanço de N dos suínos, enquanto a quantidade N relativa a adição de CS foi totalmente recuperada nas fezes.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to measure the nitrogen (N) balance of pigs fed with lysine-limiting diets containing practical levels of wheat bran (WB) or soybean hulls (SH). Twelve pigs with average weights of 57.36±2.01 and 72.68±3.24 kg were used in trials 1 and 2, respectively. In trial 1, treatments were CT1 - control diet and WB - diet with inclusion of 15% WB. In trial 2, CT2 - control diet and SH - diet with inclusion of 6% SH. Fibrous diets increased (P<0.05) the fecal N in 63.54 and 60.55% in relation to CT1 and CT2, respectively. The urinary N was higher (P<0.05) in pigs receiving the WB diet, but was not influenced in the trial with SH. The N retention (NRET) was higher (P>0.05) in pigs ingesting the WB diet; although, when the proportion of NRET was expressed relative to N ingested (NING) there was no difference (P>0.05) between treatments. Inclusion of SH did not affect (P>0.05) the NRET when the result was expressed in absolute or proportional terms. In conclusion, inclusion of practical levels of WB and SH does not significantly affect the metabolic costs involved with nitrogen metabolism. However, only WB was able to contribute to the N balance of pigs, while the relative amount of N added by SH was fully recovered in feces.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to measure the water disappearance in the drinker and the pattern of daily water intake and estimate the amount of water wasted in pig production. The study will also generate information about the daily behaviour of water intake of pigs in the growing and finishing phases. Sixty male pigs with an average initial weight of 44.43 kg subjected to immunocastration were used. Animals received feed and water ad libitum. The animal-performance data, temperature and humidity, and feed and water intake behaviour were collected in real time during the entire experimental period, while water volume consumed was measured daily. The average water disappearance (WD) was 7.98 L, which increased during the studied period, and 29.07% of this corresponds to the estimated water wasted. The daily WD behaviour revealed an increasing pattern throughout the day for growing and finishing periods, with the registered peak at 16:00 and 15:00 h and intake of 6.24 and 9.48 L, respectively. The time spent drinking (TSD) and number of drinker visits (NDV) also showed a peak in the afternoon: 13:00 and 17:00 h for growing and finishing phases, respectively. The TSD was 282.73 and 268.36 s, and the NDV values were 16.13 and 13.84 for growing and finishing phases, respectively. The results demonstrated an increasing pattern during the animal housing period in WD that is proportional to dry matter intake and body weight, and the water wasted represents a significant portion of WD. The daily pattern of WD, TSD, and NDV increase during the total and growing periods, presenting peak activity at 13:00 h. During the finishing phase, TSD and NDV present a pattern similar to the growing phase, but the peak occurs in the last hour of the day.

This study reports the optimization of geranyl butanoate production by esterification of geraniol and butanoic acid in a solvent-free system using two immobilized lipases as catalyst. The operating conditions that optimized geranyl butanoate production were determined to be 40 °C, a geraniol to butanoic acid molar ratio of 3:1, 150 rpm, 5 wt% of enzyme, and 1 h of reaction, which resulted in a reaction conversion of about 97% for Novozyme 435. When homemade Novozyme NZL-102-LYO-HQ (Cal-B) immobilized in polyurethane foam was used as catalyst, the experimental conditions of an alcohol to acid molar ratio of 5:1, 70 °C, 150 rpm, 5 wt% of enzyme, and 1 h of reaction gave a conversion of 95%. New experimental data on enzymatic esterification of geraniol and butanoic acid for geranyl butanoate production are reported in this work, showing that the technique is promising for overcoming the well-known drawbacks of the chemical-catalyzed route.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a composição química, a digestibilidade e a energia líquida (EL) da quirera (QR), farelo de arroz estabilizado (FAE) e farelo de arroz parboilizado (FAP) para leitões. Foram realizados dois ensaios de digestibilidade com 12 e 18 suínos machos com pesos iniciais de 8 e 16kg, respectivamente. A coleta fecal total foi realizada usando óxido férrico como marcador fecal. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria orgânica, proteína e energia bruta (EB) foram maiores (P<0,001) para o QR em comparação com o FAE e FAP. O FAP apresentou energia digestível 2% inferior à da QR e 5% maior que a da FAE. Para QR, o valor médio de EL foi de 3,228kcal/kg de matéria seca (DM), e a diferença entre o valor inferior e o valor superior foi de 311kcal/kg de MS. Os valores médios de EL de FAE e FAP foram de 2.896 e 3.293kcal/kgMS, respectivamente. A diferença entre a energia predita por cada equação atingiu 190kcal/kgMS para FAE e 285kcal/kgMS para FAP. Em conclusão, QR mostrou maiores coeficientes de digestibilidade dos nutrientes, exceto EE e EB, o que pode ser atribuído a diferenças nos processos de produção. Independentemente do tipo de alimento testado, as equações para prever os valores de EL devem ser usadas com cuidado devido a diferenças consideráveis no conteúdo energético.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition, digestibility, and net energy (NE) of broken rice (BRR), stabilized rice bran (SRB), and parboiled rice bran (PRB) for piglets. Two digestibility trials were performed with 12 and 18 male pigs with initial weights of 8 and 16kg, respectively. We performed total fecal collection using ferric oxide as fecal marker. The digestibility coefficients of organic matter, crude protein, and gross energy were higher (P<0.001) for the BRR compared to the SRB and PRB. The PRB presented a digestible energy 2% lower than that of BR and 5% higher than that of SRB. For BRR, average NE value was 3,228kcal/kg dry matter (DM), and the difference between the lower and higher value was 311kcal/kg DM. Average NE values of SRB and PRB were 2,896 and 3,293kcal/kgDM, respectively. The difference between the energy predicted by each equation reached 190kcal/kgDM for SRB and 285kcal/kgDM for PRB. In conclusion, BRR showed higher nutrient digestibility coefficients, except for EE and GE, which can be attributed to differences in the production processes. Regardless of the type of feedstuff tested, equations to predict NE values should be used carefully due to considerable differences in energy content.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate a growth model applied to adjust nutritional programs for growing and finishing pigs, in a commercial production context. The phase I (calibration) was conducted in a commercial pig production unit. The data were collected from a nutritional program, a feed program, and an animal profile. In experimental phase II, these data were entered in the InraPorc® model for simulations and to propose adjustments to the commercial nutritional program. Afterwards, the conventional nutritional program (CNP) and the adjusted nutritional program (ANP) were compared with InraPorc® simulation. Animal profile was collected by weighing 30% of pigs per stall and monitoring their feed intake in each stage. Four hundred and thirty-two pigs with an average initial body weight of 21.9 kg were used in a completely randomized design. There were no differences between treatments, the pig performance was affected by temperature conditions, and the fat thickness was 8% higher for CNP than ANP. In conclusion, the model has advantages to adjust growing and finishing pig nutrition programs and improve environmental and economic aspects.

RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi determinar as perdas endógenas e a digestibilidade total verdadeira do fósforo (P) do farelo de arroz integral (FAI) com ou sem suplementação de fitase. O experimento foi dividido em três períodos de 12 dias cada, sendo, sete de adaptação e cinco de coleta total de fezes, com um intervalo de três dias entre os períodos. Utilizaram-se 12 suínos castrados com peso médio de 13,40±1,00kg e 46 dias de idade, distribuídos em seis tratamentos que consistiram de dietas formuladas com três níveis de FAI (5, 10 e 20%), com adição ou não de 750FTUkg-1 de fitase. A quantidade de ração total foi dividida em quatro refeições diárias e a água disponibilizada à vontade. Foi utilizado o método de coleta total de fezes, utilizando o óxido férrico como marcador fecal. O consumo de P com origem no FAI foi de 0,37, 0,85 e 1,73gd-1 para os teores de 5, 10 e 20% de FAI, respectivamente. Tanto os níveis FAI como a fitase exerceram efeitos na digestibilidade aparente do P do FAI. Os resultados da análise de regressão entre P ingerido com origem no FAI e P absorvido indicaram perdas endógenas de 527mg de Pkg-1 de matéria seca ingerida (DMI), independente do uso da fitase. Além disso, a digestibilidade verdadeira do P no FAI foi de 47% e não sofreu influência da inclusão de fitase. Conclui-se que a adição de 750FTU de fitase não influencia nas perdas endógenas e nem na digestibilidade verdadeira de P no FAI.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine endogenous losses and true total digestibility of phosphorus (P) in piglets fed with diets containing rice bran (RB), and supplemented or not with phytase. The experiment was divided into three periods of 12 days each, seven for adaptation and five for total feces collection, with an interval of three days between periods. Twelve barrows with average body weights of 13.40±1.00kg at 46 days of age were distributed among six treatments consisting of diets formulated with three levels of RB (5%, 10%, and 20%) with or without the addition of 750FTUkg-1 of phytase. The amount of total daily feed was divided into four daily meals and water was available ad libitum. The method of total feces collection was used with ferric oxide as the fecal marker. The total consumption of P of RB origin was 0.37, 0.85 and 1.73gd-1 for concentrations of 5%, 10% and 20% of RB, respectively. Both RB and phytase levels had an effect on the apparent digestibility of P in RB. Results of the regression analysis of ingested P originating from the RB and absorbed P indicated endogenous losses of 527mg of Pkg-1 of dry matter intake, independent of phytase. Additionally, the true digestibility of P in RB was 47%, and it was not influenced by the inclusion of phytase. We concluded that the addition of 750FTU of phytase does not affect endogenous losses or the true digestibility of P in RB.

A determinação do perfil animal de cenários de produção, por modelagem, é imprescindível para melhorar a produção. O objetivo deste estudo foi modelar e avaliar o desempenho zootécnico, o fornecimento e as exigências de nutrientes para suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação em cenários de produção reais. Foram selecionados seis cenários com total de 2.200 animais que consumiram seis dietas ad libitum. Os dados coletados nos cenários de produção foram modelados com base na média animal. Os animais foram alojados com 65±7 dias de idade e 22,11±1,41kg de peso e foram abatidos com 159±10 dias e 121,18±7kg. A média dos cenários foi superior a 0,27kg em consumo e 0,12kg em ganho de peso, a conversão alimentar foi equivalente ao perfil animal padrão (PAP). Os cenários foram superiores em 1,60g para exigência e 2,67g para fornecimento de lisina digestível diária por animal em relação ao PAP. Os cenários de produção apresentam diferenças para desempenho zootécnico, fornecimento e exigências de nutrientes para suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação. A modelagem é uma ferramenta que pode ser utilizada para descrever e comparar as especificidades em cada cenário de produção.

Determination of animal profile from production scenarios by modeling is essential to improve production. The objective of this study was to model and evaluate the performance, the supply and nutrients requirements for pigs, during the growing and finishing phases, in real production scenarios. Six scenarios with 2,200 animals, which consumed six ad libitum diets, were selected. The collected data from the production scenarios were modeled based on the average animal. Animals were housed at 65±7 days old and weighing 22.11±1.41kg and were slaughtered at 159±10 days old and weighing 121.18±7kg. Average of the scenarios was greater than 0.27kg for consumption and 0.12kg for weight gain; feed conversion was equivalent to the standard animal profile (SAP). Scenarios were 1.60g higher for the requirement and 2.67g higher for daily digestible lysine per animal when compared to the SAP. Production scenarios showed differences between performance, supply and nutrient requirements for pigs during the growing and finishing phases. Modeling is a tool that can be used to describe and compare the characteristics of each production scenario.

Foi realizado um experimento para determinar a composição química e digestibilidade dos nutrientes e energia do resíduo de batata palha (RBP), resíduo de pipoca doce (RPD), resíduo de biscoito de trigo doce (RBT), e resíduo de biscoito de trigo salgado (RBS) para leitões. Foram determinados os valores de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), matéria mineral (MM), cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P), sódio (Na) e energia bruta (EB). A digestibilidade dos alimentos foi avaliada utilizando 18 suínos alojados em gaiolas de metabolismo durante dois períodos consecutivos de 12 dias, sendo sete para adaptação e cinco destinados à coleta total de fezes. Os resultados de PB obtidos foram relativamente baixos, sendo 7,2; 6,0; 6,8 e 3,4% para o RBP, RPD, RBT e RBS, respectivamente. Os conteúdos de EE foram de 39,64; 7,12; 12,40; e 22,28% para o RBP, RPD, RBT e RBS, respectivamente. Os valores de Ca e P foram baixos e, em todos os coprodutos, inferiores a 0,18%. Teores elevados de Na foram encontrados no RBP e RBS (0,9 e 1,36%, respectivamente). A EB foi de 6.065; 4.199; 4.494; e 5.032 kcal kg-1 para RBP, RPD, RBT e RBS, respectivamente. Os valores de ED foram de 5.686; 3.995; 3.916 e 4.953 kcal kg-1, para RBP, RPD, RBT, e RBS e mostraram correlação linear e positiva (r2=0,97; P<0,05) com o teor de EE dos coprodutos. Estudos adicionais são necessários para estabelecer os teores ótimos de inclusão dos coprodutos analisados nas dietas de suínos. Contudo, os resultados de composição química e digestibilidade dos nutrientes e energia permitem concluir que os resíduos de batata palha, pipoca doce, biscoito de trigo doce e biscoito de trigo salgado possuem potencial para serem utilizados na alimentação de leitões.

One experiment was realized to determine the chemical composition and digestibility of nutrients and energy of shoestring potatoes residues (SP), sweet popcorn residues (SPC), wheat sweet biscuit residues (WSB) and wheat salted sticks residues (WSS) for piglets. The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), mineral matter (MM), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and sodium (Na) and gross energy (GE) were measured. Eighteen castrated pigs penned in metabolic crates during two consecutive periods of 12 days (seven to adaptation and five to feces collection) were used to evaluate the digestibility´s coefficients of feedstuffs. The SP, SPC, WSB, and WSS had relatively low CP values 7.2; 6.0; 6.8 and 3.4%, respectively. The EE contents were 39.64; 7.12; 12.40 and 22.28% for SP, SPC; WSB and WSS, respectively. All the co-products evaluated had low values of Ca and P and anyone had a Ca and P value higher than 0.18% and the SPC and WSS had high Na levels (0.9 and 1.36%, respectively). The GE were 5.686; 3.995; 3.916; 4.953kcal kg-1 for SP, SPC; WSB and WSS, respectively and showed positive linear correlation (r2=0.97; P<0.05) with EE levels. Additional studies are necessary to establish the optimal levels of co-products to include in pigs diets. However, the results of chemical composition and digestibility of nutrients and energy indicate that shoestring potatoes residues, sweet popcorn residues, wheat sweet biscuit residues and wheat salted sticks residues have potential to be used in piglet's diets.

Neste experimento foram comparados os métodos de coleta total de fezes (CT) e de indicadores internos (cinza insolúvel em ácido - CIA, fibra bruta - FB e fibra em detergente ácido - FDA) na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), extrativo não nitrogenado (ENN) e energia bruta (EB) de uma ração comercial de gatos-domésticos para jaguatiricas (Leopardus pardalis). Seis animais adultos com peso de 12,45 ± 1,37kg receberam gradativamente a ração experimental na dieta habitual até o início do experimento e foram submetidos a um período de adaptação de 10 dias anteriores ao período de coleta. Os CDA obtidos pela CT, CIA, FB e FDA foram, respectivamente de 73,70; 76,83; 62,01 e 46,03% para matéria seca, 81,9; 84,8; 75,8 e 63,8% para proteína bruta, 85,0; 86,7; 78,5 e 69,1% para extrato etéreo, 78,52; 79,55; 69,11 e 53,04% para extrativo não nitrogenado e de 80,5; 82,2; 71,4 e 58,4% para energia bruta. O método de CIA mostrou-se eficiente na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente e pode contribuir com as investigações sobre a digestibilidade em dietas com felídeos selvagens. A ração utilizada permitiu aos animais um adequado aporte nutricional e apresentou menores custos/animal/dia em comparação aos itens que compunham a dieta habitual.

In this experiment, methods of total fecal collection (TFC) and internal markers (acid-insoluble ash - AIA, crude fiber - CF, and acid-detergent fiber - ADF) were compared for determination of the coefficients of apparent digestibility (CAD) for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), nitrogen-free extracts (NFE), and gross energy (GE) of commercial feline dry kibble for ocelots (Leopardus pardalis). Six adult animals, weighing 12.45±1.37 kg, gradually received experimental kibble in their usual diet until the beginning of the experiment and were submitted to an adaptation period ten days prior to the collection period. CAD obtained by TFC, AIA, CF, and ADF were, respectively, 73.7, 76.83, 62.01, and 46.03% for dry matter; 81.9, 84.8, 75.8, and 63.8% for crude protein; 85, 86.7, 78.5, and 69.1% for ether extract; 78.52, 79.55, 69.11, and 53.04% for nitrogen-free extracts; and 80.5, 82.2, 71.4, and 58.4% for gross energy. The AIA method showed to be efficient in determining coefficients of apparent digestibility and may contribute to investigations on the digestibility of diets for wild felines. In comparison to the items of ocelot's usual diet, the kibble used in this paper provided an adequate nutritional supply with reduced daily costs per animal.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a exigência de manutenção e a eficiência de deposição de lisina em suínos em crescimento. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental permutável, com repetições ao longo do tempo. Doze suínos castrados com peso vivo (PV) médio de 52±2 kg foram alojados em gaiolas metabólicas, com temperatura controlada de 22ºC. As dietas foram formuladas para fornecer 30, 50, 60 e 70% das exigências esperadas de lisina estandardizada e fornecidas para atender 2,6 vezes a exigência de energia para manutenção. O experimento teve duração de 24 dias e foi dividido em dois períodos de 12 dias: sete para adaptação dos animais à dieta e cinco para coleta de amostras. O teor crescente de lisina na dieta não influenciou a ingestão de matéria seca pelos suínos. A quantidade de nitrogênio excretado foi de 47% do ingerido, dos quais 35% foram excretados pelas fezes e 65% pela urina. As perdas endógenas de lisina estimadas foram de 36,4 mg kg-1 PV0,75. A exigência de manutenção de lisina em suínos com aproximadamente 50 kg é de 40,4 mg kg-1 PV0,75, e a eficiência de deposição de lisina é de 90%.

The objective of this work was to determine the maintenance requirement and the deposition efficiency of lysine in growing pigs. It was used the incomplete changeover experimental design, with replicates over time. Twelve castrated pigs with average body weight (BW) of 52±2 kg were kept in metabolism crates with a controlled temperature of 22ºC. The diets were formulated to supply 30, 50, 60, and 70% of the expected requirements of standardized lysine, and provided at 2.6 times the energy requirements for maintenance. The trial lasted 24 days and was divided into two periods of 12 days: seven days for animal adaptation to the diet and five days for sample collection. The increasing content of lysine in the diet did not affect dry matter intake of the pigs. The amount of nitrogen excreted was 47% of the nitrogen intake, of which 35% was excreted through feces and 65% through urine. The estimated endogenous losses of lysine were 36.4 mg kg-1 BW0.75. The maintenance requirement of lysine for pigs weighing around 50 kg is 40.4 mg kg-1 BW0.75, and the deposition efficiency of lysine is 90%.

Dois experimentos foram realizados para avaliar a influência de milhos com diferentes texturas de endosperma e adição de alfa amilase na digestibilidade de dietas e no desempenho de leitões na fase de creche. No ensaio de digestibilidade, foram usados 12 leitões castrados (7,96±0,31kg), alojados individualmente em gaiolas de metabolismo, enquanto no desempenho utilizaram-se 75 leitões (7,87±0,67kg) distribuídos em 15 gaiolas de creche. Nos dois experimentos, os tratamentos consistiram de três dietas formuladas para serem isonutritivas, mas com milhos de diferentes texturas e adição ou não de alfa amilase, conforme descrito a seguir: 1. grãos de milho semi-dentado; 2. grãos de milho duro e; 3. grãos de milho duro + alfa-amilase. Os resultados de metabolismo mostraram que os valores de energia digestível (ED) e metabolizável (EM) das dietas foram influenciados pelos tipos de milho, sendo o semi-dentado superior (P<0,05) ao milho duro (3872 versus 3767kcal ED kg-1 e 3778 versus 3660kcal EM kg-1, respectivamente). A inclusão de amilase à dieta com milho duro fez com que os valores de ED e EM (P<0,05) se aproximassem dos valores obtidos com milho semi-dentado (3872 versus 3826kcal ED kg-1 e 3778 versus 3742kcal EM kg-1, respectivamente). No experimento de desempenho, não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos no consumo de ração, ganho de peso e/ou conversão alimentar. Dietas com milho duro ou semi-dentado e adição de alfa-amilase não alteram o desempenho dos leitões. Por outro lado, dietas contendo milho semi-dentado apresentam maior energia digestível que dietas com milho duro e a adição de alfa-amilase aumenta a energia de dietas com milho duro.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of diets with different corn grain textures and amylase supplementation on nutrients digestibility and nursery piglets' performance. Twelve castrated piglets (7.96±0.31kg) were individually housed in metabolic crates and 75 piglets (7.87±0.67kg) penned in 15 nursery pens. In both experiments the treatments consisted of three isonutritive diets: 1. semi dent corn grain; 2. flint corn grain, and 3. flint corn grain + amylase. There was effect of treatments (P<0.05) in digestible (DE) and metabolisable energy (ME), with the semi dent corn grain diet having DE and ME higher values (3872 versus 3767kcal DE kg-1 and 3778 versus 3660kcal ME kg-1, respectively) than flint dent corn grain diet. The amylase addition increased the DE and ME in flint dent corn diet (3872 versus 3826kcal DE kg-1 and 3778 versus 3742kcal ME kg-1, respectively). The corn grain characteristics didn't influence (P<0.05) feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion and amylase addition didn't affect (P>0.05) the performance characteristics studied. In conclusion, diets with flint or semi dent corns and amylase supplementation did not improve the performance of piglets. On the other hand, semi dent corn diet has more digestible energy in comparison with flint corn diet and amylase addition increase energy values of flint corn diet.