ABSTRACT. Wooden breast myopathy (WB) strongly affects the poultry industry mainly in terms of consumers rejection and economical loses, due to morphological changes in broiler muscle tissue and consequently low meat quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the histomorphometry of muscle fibers of breast fillets of broilers with severity levels of WB myopathy. The histological evaluation considered 30 samples of the pectoralis major muscle and the level of WB myopathy (ten normal fillets, ten moderate fillets, and ten severe fillets). Fillets with a severe level of WB present low average fiber number, high average fiber diameter, low percentage of fibers with diameter of less than 20 µm, low percentage of fibers with diameter between 20 and 40 µm, and high percentage of fibers with diameter between 40 and 70 µm. Fiber cross-sectional area is greater in fillets affected by moderate and severe WB. Thus, fillets with a severe level of WB damage the muscle fiber structure and contribute more severely to the degenerative processes of breast meat.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the energy values and metabolizability of different lipid sources in the diet of Japanese quail at the laying phase. The quail were distributed in a completely randomized design with ten replications of seven poultry per treatment, totaling six treatments: basal feed (control) and basal feed containing 10% soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and poultry fat. The values of nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) and the metabolizability coefficient (MC%) were evaluated. No significant difference was found between the different lipid sources for AMEn (kcal/kg) and MC (%). The value of metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen for soybean oil was 8,790 kcal/kg; 8,773 kcal/kg for corn oil; 8,784 kcal/kg for canola oil; 8,788 kcal/kg for sunflower oil; and 8,681 kcal/kg for poultry fat in laying Japanese quail. The digestibility coefficients were 93.88% for soybean oil, 93.53% for corn oil, 93.32% for canola oil, 93.74% for sunflower oil, and 93.06% for poultry fat.

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the residual effect of different lipid sources in the diet of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) in the rearing phase on the performance and egg quality in the initial phase of egg-laying. In the first stage, 400 Japanese quails aged 21 days were used, being distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with five treatments and ten replicates of eight birds/replicate Treatments consisted of basal ration (BR) with 2.5% soybean oil; BR with 2.5% corn oil; BR with 2.5% cottonseed oil; BR with 2.5% sunflower oil; and BR with 2.5% canola oil. At 42 days, maintaining the initial design, all quails received a basal ration with soybean oil, in order to evaluate the residual effect of the previous phase on the performance and egg quality in the initial phase of egg-laying (43 - 84 days). The different lipid sources did not affect the performance of quails in the initial phase of production. For egg quality, yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk index, gravity, and Haugh unit (HU) showed better results in the treatment using sunflower oil. There was a residual effect of the use of lipid sources of vegetable origin in the rearing phase diet of Japanese quails on egg quality traits. Lipid sources from soybean, corn, cottonseed, canola, and sunflower seeds can be used as energy sources in the rearing diet of egg-laying quails for not being harmful to their initial performance. The longevity in egg production of quails fed with different lipid sources in the rearing phase was similar.

Resumo A pesquisa foi conduzida com objetivo de avaliar o efeito residual de diferentes fontes lipídicas na dieta de codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica) na fase de recria sob o desempenho e a qualidade de ovos na fase inicial de postura. Na primeira etapa foram utilizadas 400 codornas japonesas com idade de 21 dias, as aves foram distribuídas em tratamentos seguindo um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dez repetições, de oito aves, em cinco tratamentos: ração basal (RB) com 2,5% de óleo de soja, RB com 2,5 % de óleo de milho, RB com 2,5% de óleo algodão, RB com 2,5% de óleo de girassol e RB com 2,5% de óleo de canola. Aos 42 dias mantendo o delineamento inicial, todas aves receberam ração basal com óleo de soja, para que fosse avaliado o efeito residual da fase anterior sobre o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos na fase inicial de postura (43 - 84 dias). As diferentes fontes lipídicas não afetaram o desempenho das aves na fase inicial de produção. Para a qualidade dos ovos, os parâmetros de altura, diâmetro e índice de gema, gravidade e UH foram melhores no tratamento com utilização de óleo de girassol. Houve efeito residual da utilização de fontes lipídicas de origem vegetal na dieta em fase de recria de codornas japonesas sobre as características da qualidade dos ovos. As fontes lipídicas oriundas das sementes de soja, milho, algodão, canola e girassol podem ser utilizadas como ingredientes energéticos na dieta de recria de codornas poedeiras por nâo serem prejudiciais ao desempenho inicial das aves. A longevidade na produção dos ovos das aves alimentadas com diferentes fontes lipídicas na fase de recria foi semelhante.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present research was to study the incidence of broiler carcass condemnations over eleven years and identify the productive phase that causes greater loss in slaughter process. The origin of these condemnations was determined before and after fasting. Evaluated broilers were reared in positive pressure warehouses and slaughtered between 28 and 34 days old with carcass weight ranging from 0.7 to 1.4 kg. Fasting occurred, on average, 9 h before the slaughter. Condemnation and slaughter data were collected from 2004 to 2014 in a slaughterhouse with slaughter capacity of 120,000 broilers/day. The causes of rearing condemnations were airsaccullitis, arthritis, abscess, ascites, cachexia, cellulitis, colibacillosis, dermatosis, salpingitis, hemorrhagic syndrome, and neoplasia; and the causes of pre-slaughter and slaughter condemnations were bruising, fracture, inadequate bleeding, excessive scaling, contamination, dehydration, death at the platform, disgusting appearance, and delayed evisceration. The mean values of total and partial condemnations per year, occurrence and proportion of condemnations index (OCI) for every thousand broilers slaughtered, and rates of pre and post-fasting condemnations were calculated. Condemnations rates (%) and OCI were higher after fasting; partial and total contamination stood out, with a frequency of 77% and 30%, respectively, after fasting. Long fasting, uneven lots or unbalanced equipment may cause extravasation of the gastrointestinal contents and contaminate broiler carcasses. Practices such as monitoring fasting and equipment adjustment to broiler carcass size may reduce carcass condemnation incidence.

RESUMO A erva mate ( Ilex paraguariensis) possui em compostos orgânicos com propriedades de modificar a composição química de carne de frangos de corte, desta maneira este estudo avaliou a influência da erva mate sobre a composição química e o perfil lipídico de carne de peito, coxas e sobrecoxas de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 500 pintainhos de corte distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com inclusões de erva mate nas dietas (0.1; 0.2; 0.4, e 0.6%) com quatro repetições de 25 aves em cada tratamento, criados de 1 a 42 dias de idade para posterior abate e análises da composição de cortes cárneos. A adição de erva mate não afetou a composição química e o perfil lipídico dos peitos de frangos, porém a composição da carne de sobrecoxas foi afetada. Foi observado efeito da adição da erva mate em ácidos graxos saturados, insaturados, monoinsaturados e poli-insaturados na carne de sobrecoxas de frango, destacando-se a redução nas concentrações de ácidos graxos saturados e o aumento das concentrações dos ácidos poli-insaturados, em especial Linolênicoe Eicosapentaenoico, demonstrando assim o potencial da erva mate em alterar o perfil lipídico da carne de aves.

SUMMARY Yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis) has in its composition organic compounds wich can modify chemical composition of broiler meat. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of yerba mate in chemical composition and lipid profile of broiler breast and thigh meat. The trial was conducted using 500 broiler chicks distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0.1; 0.2; 0.4, and 0.6%) and five replicates with 25 chicks each. The chicken were raised form 1 to 42 days old and slaughtered for analysis of breast and thigh meat. The addition of mate did not affect the chemical composition and the lipid profile of the chicken breast, however, the composition of the meat of thigh meat was affected. It was observed effect of the addition of the yerba mate to saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the chicken meat. Stands out the reduction in saturated fatty acid concentrations and the increase in the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially Linolenic and Eicosapentaenoic, thus demonstrating the potential of mate grass in altering the lipid profile of poultry meat.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the influence of climate pattern and rearing conditions on broiler carcass condemnations observed during processing. We evaluated the registered data of 2015 from the federal inspection files in all broiler slaughterhouses located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Midwestern Brazil. The percentages of condemnations by airsacculitis, cellulitis, dermatosis, ascites syndrome, total carcass condemnations, and average broiler weight at 42 days were analyzed. Data were associated with housing systems and season of the year in which each flock was reared. Two-way ANOVA was applied to the data in a completely randomized design 4×3 (four seasons and three houses) and compared by Tukey's test. The results indicated that the housing system did not affect the studied condemnations, and seasons of the year did not change condemnation by airsacculitis; however, the other pathologies leading to carcass condemnations were affected by season. Condemnations by cellulite were higher during summer than in winter. For dermatosis, the maximum index appears during summer and the lowest during winter and spring. The ascites syndrome presented the smallest index in summer and winter, and the minimum value was found in spring. The average bird weight was higher in autumn than in winter and spring. Type of broiler rearing did not affect the carcass condemnation index. Summer was the most detrimental period regarding the condemnation rates for the pathologies studied, mainly cellulitis and dermatosis, while the highest average weight of birds was found during autumn and spring.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to study the behavior of swine females in the grower phase using different observation intervals (continuous, 5, and 10 min). A total of 42 swine were used, 14 of them for each treatment, which were identified with a marker stick. These animals were observed using the focal sampling method for 5 h. The treatments were the observation intervals: continuous, every 5 min, and every 10 min. Among the behaviors analyzed during the experiment, the different observation intervals did not affect the estimated time spent in the activities. Time observation intervals of 10 min or less adequately describe the duration of the main behavioral parameters of female pigs in this setting.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the prevalence and influence of urinary tract infection on the reproductive performance of sows. The animals underwent urine tests using reagent strips and diagnosed as positive or negative. They were then divided into two groups of 30 positive and 30 negative sows for urinary tract infection. Each sow was considered an experimental unit and was followed from labor to weaning. The animals were assessed for their reproductive performance (labor duration, number of live births, mummified piglets, and stillbirths, and postpartum diseases). After weaning, the weaning-estrus interval and rate of return to estrus were assessed. A thermographic camera was used to identify hyperthermia of the mammary system and its relation with the onset of urinary tract infections. The prevalence of urinary tract infection in prepartum sows was 41.1%. Urinary tract infection does not impact labor duration, number of live births, mummified piglets, and stillbirths, number of sows culled, weaning-estrus interval, or return to estrus after insemination. However, it was considered a predisposing factor for the occurrence of postpartum vaginal discharge. There is no correlation between the occurrence of urinary tract infection and mammary system temperature in sows.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of immunocastrated male pigs compared with females and castrated males during the period before and after full immunization. A total of 30 animals were divided into three treatments, with ten animals in each (females, barrows, and immunocastrated males). The experiment was divided into three periods: 70 to 80 days of age (period 1), 81 to 110 days of age (period 2), and 111 to 140 days of age (period 3). The behavior of animals during these stages was evaluated. Immunocastrated males showed a higher rate of aggressive and sexual behavior during period 2, which decreased after the second vaccine dose. Both barrows and immunocastrated males presented high locomotion in period 1, reducing the frequency of this activity in period 3. All analyzed animals had a higher level of activities such as drinking, playing, and sexual behavior in period 1 than in the other periods, decreasing during the experiment. The remaining behavioral responses did not differ between the studied categories. Immunocastrated males had higher proportions of undesirable behaviors (aggressive and sexual) related to the surgically castrated males and females, and these were reduced after the second vaccine dose. Immunocastration is effective in the reduction of behaviors such as agonistic and sexual at the same levels observed in females and surgically castrated males. However, immunocastrated pigs are more subject to these undesirable behaviors before full immunization.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the steadiness of broilers during the stance phase of locomotion, and the primary disorders of the locomotor system and gait. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a factorial arrangement (2 × 2 + 32), indicating two sexes and two genetic commercial strains, with five replications of 53 broilers each, and 32 (16 males and 16 females) indigenous chickens. Gait score and valgus and varus condition were assessed. Pictures of the birds were taken and evaluated. The broiler body was considered a spherical shape, and the centroid was calculated. From the geometric center of the body, a line was drawn perpendicularly to the sphere radius that formed an angle (ANG) with the other vertical line drawn from the centroid to the ground. The angle projected onto the ground was analyzed, and the body steadiness (EC) was estimated. At the 42nd day of growth, broilers were weighed to assess the body weight, the breast weight after slaughter, and the percentage of the breast (PB). Femoral degeneration, tibial dyschondroplasia, spondylolisthesis, and footpad dermatitis were evaluated. Fast-growing broilers presented a high prevalence of locomotor issues. The PB was not affected by sex or genetic strain. Males showed better ANG than the females, regardless of the genetic strain. More balanced EC was found in commercial broilers when compared with the indigenous chicken that stood slightly towards the back during the stance phase. A medium (in males) to high (in females) association between EC and ANG was found amongst broilers from the commercial strains in both males and females. The broilers from commercial strains presented more locomotor issues than the indigenous chicken. Commercial broiler strains show less locomotor soundness than indigenous chickens.

Ammonia (NH3) emissions from broiler production can affect human and animal health and may cause acidification and eutrophication of the surrounding environment. This study aimed to estimate ammonia emissions from broiler litter in two systems of forced ventilation, the tunnel ventilation (TV) and the dark house (DH). The experiment was carried out on eight commercial broiler houses, and the age of the birds (day, d), pH and litter temperature were recorded. Broilers were reared on built-up wood shaving litter using an average flock density of 14 bird m–2. Temperature and relative humidity inside the broiler houses were recorded in the morning during the grow-out period. A factorial experimental design was adopted, with two types of houses, four replicates and two flocks with two replicates each. A deterministic model was used to predict ammonia emissions using the litter pH and temperature, and the day of grow-out. The highest litter temperature and pH were found at 42 d of growth in both housing systems. Mean ambient air temperature and relative humidity did not differ in either system. Mean model predicted ammonia emission was higher in the DH rearing system (5200 mg NH3 m−2h−1 at 42 d) than in the TV system (2700 mg NH3m−2 h−1 at 42 d). TV presented the lowest mean litter temperature and pH at 42 d of growth. In the last week of the broilers’ grow-out cycle, estimated ammonia emissions inside DH reached 5700 mg m−2h−1 in one of the flocks. Ammonia emissions were higher inside DH, and they did not differ between flocks. Assuming a broiler market weight in Brazil of close to 2 kg, ammonia emissions were equivalent to 12 g NH3 bird-marketed−1. Model-predicted ammonia emissions provided comprehensible estimations and might be used in abatement strategies for NH3 emission.

O estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desenvolvimento microbiológico em carne suína PSE em comparação à carne normal e o efeito da época do ano sobre a velocidade de proliferação dos mesmos. Amostras do músculo Longissimus dorsi de carcaças classificadas ao abate como PSE (pH45<5,8) e normais (pH45>5,8), foram coletadas após 24 horas de refrigeração, no momento da desossa, em um abatedouro comercial, com serviço de inspeção federal, situado na região da Grande Dourados (MS). As amostras (12 normais e 12 PSE) foram coletadas em duas épocas distintas do ano (outono e inverno) para as análises de coliformes totais, coliformes a 45ºC, mesófilos, psicotróficos, pseudômonas, bolores e leveduras aos 0, 5, 10 e 15 dias de armazenamento por refrigeração. O crescimento microbiano comportou-se de maneira semelhante entre os dois tipos de carne ao longo do período de armazenamento, exceto para a contagem de microorganismos aeróbios mesófilos totais, cujo desenvolvimento foi superior em carnes PSE até o 5º dia de armazenamento, igualando-se entre os dois tipos de carne posteriormente. Houve efeito da época do ano sobre a contagem de coliformes totais e a 45ºC, sendo sua velocidade de proliferação superior em carnes provenientes dos animais abatidos na época mais quente (outono).

The study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological development in PSE pork compared with normal meat and the effect of season of the year on the rate of proliferation of the same. Longissimus dorsi muscle samples from carcasses classified as PSE slaughter (pH45 <5.8) and normal (pH45 > 5.8) were collected after 24 hours of refrigeration, at the time of deboning, in a commercial slaughterhouse, with service federal inspection, located in the Grande Dourados region (MS). The samples (12 normal and 12 PSE) were collected at two different times of the year (fall and winter) for analysis of total and 45ºC coliforms, mesophylls, psychotropic, pseudomonas, yeasts and molds at 0, 5, 10 and 15 days of storage under refrigeration. Microbial growth behaved similarly between the two types of meat throughout the storage period, except for the count of mesophilic aerobic microorganisms, whose development was superior in PSE meat until the 5th day storage, matching between both types of meat later. Was no effect of season on the count of total coliforms and 45ºC, and their proliferation rate higher in meat from the slaughtered animals the warmer season (autumn).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de marinadas com soluções alcalinas sobre características da carne de porco submetida a quedas do pH post-mortem, em músculo de porco. O pH das carcaças foi medido em abatedouro comercial (n = 526), aos 45 min pós-abate (pH45) e, em seguida, as carcaças foram divididas em grupos com pH45<5,7 ou pH45>5,7. Dez amostras do músculo longissimus dorsi de cada grupo foram coletadas e distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2x4, com duas condições (pH45<5,7 ou pH45>5,7) e quatro soluções de marinação: TC, controle sem marinação; TM1, bicarbonato de sódio e cloreto de sódio; TM2, tripolifosfato de sódio e cloreto de sódio; TM3, bicarbonato de sódio, tripolifosfato de sódio e cloreto de sódio. Não houve interação entre o pH45 da carne e os tratamentos marinados. As carnes com pH45<5,7 apresentaram maior luminosidade, perda por purga (PP), perda de exsudato (PE), perda de peso por cozimento (PC) e força de cisalhamento (FC). A marinação aumentou o pH da carne, reduziu a luminosidade, PE, PC e FC, e melhorou a maciez, suculência e palatabilidade. As marinadas com soluções alcalinas de cloreto, bicarbonato e tripolifosfato de sódio são eficazes no melhoramento da qualidade da carne suína, o que torna as características físicas das carnes processadas com marinadas semelhantes às da carne in natura, em consequência da acelerada glicólise post-mortem.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of alkaline solution marinades on the characteristics of pork subjected to post-mortem pH decrease in pig muscle. The pH of carcasses was measured in a commercial slaughterhouse (n = 526), 45 min after slaughtering (pH45) and, then, the carcasses were divided into the groups with pH45<5.7 or pH45>5.7. Ten samples of the longissimus dorsi muscles of each group were collected and distributed in an entirely randomized design, in a 2x4 factorial arrangement, with two conditions (pH45<5.7 or pH45>5.7), and four marinade solutions: TC, no marinade; TM1, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride; TM2, sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium chloride; TM3, sodium bicarbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium chloride. There was no interaction between pH45 of the meat and the marinade treatments. Meat with pH45<5.7 showed higher values for lightness, and for purge loss (PL), exudate loss (EL), cooking loss (CL) and shear force (SF). Marinating increased the pH, reduced the lightness, EL, CL and SF, and improved tenderness, juiciness and flavor of meat. Marinades with solutions containing chloride, bicarbonate, and sodium tripolyphosphate are effective in the improvement of pork quality, making physical characteristics of marinated meat similar to those of fresh pork, as a consequence of accelerated postmortem glycolysis.

Objetivou-se avaliar as características físicas e sensoriais da carne suína PSE, suas correlações e os prejuízos causados para a indústria, em função de sua ocorrência. Em abatedouro comercial aferiu-se o pH das carcaças (n=1601) aos 45 minutos post mortem (pH45), classificou-as em PSE (pH45<5,8) ou normais (pH45≥5,8). Após 24 horas de resfriamento, foram coletadas amostras do músculo Longissimus dorsi de 26 carcaças PSE e 26 normais, que foram avaliadas quanto à coloração (L*, a*, b*), perda de exsudato, perda de peso por cozimento, força de cisalhamento, atributos sensoriais (maciez, suculência e palatabilidade) e composição centesimal. Foram avaliadas as correlações entre parâmetros físicos e sensoriais. A incidência de carnes PSE foi de 10,06%. O pH final, perda de peso por cozimento, força de cisalhamento e composição centesimal não diferiram entre os tipos de carne. A perda de exsudato foi, aproximadamente, 39% maior para carne PSE. O pH45 correlacionou-se, negativamente, com L* (R= -0,331) e b* (R= -0,528). A suculência correlacionou-se, positivamente, com a palatabilidade (R= 0,436) e maciez (R= 0,297) e, negativamente, com a perda de peso por cozimento (R= -0,326). A força de cisalhamento apresentou correlação positiva com perda de exsudato (R= 0,529) e negativa com maciez (R= -0,767). O prejuízo estimado em função da ocorrência de carnes PSE foi da ordem de R$340.800,00 anuais. Carnes PSE apresentam alterações negativas nas propriedades funcionais e sensoriais, relacionadas com a redução de sua capacidade de retenção de água, o que causa perdas consideráveis para a indústria processadora.

The work was carried out to evaluate the physical and sensory characteristics of PSE pork, their correlations and damages caused to the industry because of its occurrence. In a commercial slaughterhouse has measured the pH of carcasses (n = 1601) at 45 minutes post mortem (pH45), classified them into PSE (pH45 < 5.8) or normal (pH45≥ 5.8). After 24 hours of cooling were collected the samples from the Longissimus dorsi muscle of the 26 normal and 26 PSE carcasses that were evaluated for color (L*, a*, b*), exudate loss, cooking loss, shear force, sensory attributes (tenderness, juiciness and flavor) and centesimal composition. Were evaluated the correlations between the physical and sensory parameters. The final pH, cooking loss, shear force and centesimal composition did not differ between the types of meat. The exudate loss was 39% higher for the PSE meat. The pH45 was negatively correlated with L* (R= -0.331) and b* (R = -0.528). The juiciness was positively correlated with flavor (r = 0.436) and tenderness (R = 0.297) and negatively with cooking loss (R = -0.326). The shear force was positively correlated with exudate loss (R = 0.529) and negatively with tenderness (R = -0.767). The estimated loss due to the occurrence of PSE meat were of R$340,800.00 per year. The PSE meat show negative changes in the functional and sensory properties, almost all related to reducing its water holding capacity, causing considerable losses to the processing industry.

Um experimento foi conduzido para verificar a influência da glutamina no turnover do carbono na mucosa intestinal de leitões desmamados. Nove matrizes receberam dietas compostas basicamente de plantas do ciclo fotossintético C4 durante toda a gestação (d‰13C = 17,12) e lactação (d‰13C = -19,26). Os leitões foram desmamados aos 21 dias de idade e 68 deles foram alimentados com ração composta de plantas do ciclo fotossintético C3 (d‰13C = -25,12). Os leitões foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em duas dietas: uma sem suplementação de glutamina; e outra suplementada com 1% de glutamina. Aos 0; 1; 1,5; 2; 2,5; 3; 3,5; 4; 4,5; 5; 5,5; 8; 11; 15, 20; 29 e 46 dias pós-desmame, dois leitões de cada dieta foram abatidos para coleta de amostras da mucosa intestinal, que foram analisadas quanto à composição isotópica de d‰13C e mensurada a velocidade de substituição do carbono no tempo. Os valores da meia-vida do carbono para a mucosa intestinal foram de 6,0 e 3,5 dias para as dietas controle e com glutamina, respectivamente. A glutamina acelerou a velocidade de substituição do carbono na mucosa intestinal, evidenciando sua ação benéfica na recuperação da estrutura do intestino após o desmame.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of glutamine on the carbon turnover in the intestinal mucosa of weaned piglets. Nine matrices received diets predominantly composed by photosintetic cycle C4 plants during the gestation (d‰13C = -17.12) and lactation (d‰13C = -19.26). The piglets were weaned at 21 days of age, and 68 animals were fed rations composed by photosintetic cycle C3 plants (d‰13C = -25.12). The piglets were distributed at random in two treatments: one diet without glutamine supplementation and the other diet supplemented with 1% of glutamine. On days 0; 1; 1.5; 2; 2.5; 3; 3.5; 4; 4.5; 5; 5.5; 8; 11; 15, 20; 29 and 46 after weaning, two piglets from each diet were slaughtered for collection of samples of the intestinal mucosa which were analyzed for their isotopic composition in d‰13C and the carbon substitution speed was measured, in terms of the time. The half-life values of the carbon for the intestinal mucosa were 6.0 and 3.5 days, in control and glutamine treatments, respectively. Glutamine accelerated the carbon substitution speed of the intestinal mucous membrane, evidencing its beneficial action in the recovery of the intestine structure after weaning.