Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo de vacas leiteiras alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar tratada com 5g kg-1 de óxido (CaO) ou hidróxido de cálcio [Ca(OH)2]. Foram utilizadas oito vacas da raça Holandesas com 638,01±12,52kg de peso corporal e produção média de leite de 20,32±1,5kg dia-1, distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois quadrados latinos balanceados 4x4, alimentadas com dietas contendo silagem de milho (SM), cana-de açúcar in natura (CIN), cana-de-açúcar tratada com óxido de cálcio (CTOC) ou hidróxido de cálcio (CTHC) como único volumoso. O período de coleta de dados foi de cinco dias, após 15 dias de adaptação às instalações e dietas. O consumo de matéria seca (% do peso corporal) foi superior nas dietas com SM (3,08) em relação àquelas com CIN (2,67), CTOC (2,73) ou CTHC (2,73), as quais não diferiram entre si. Dietas com SM determinaram produção de leite ajustada para 4% de gordura (20,05kg dia-1), similar às dietas contendo CTOC e CTHC (18,01 e 17,89kg dia-1, respectivamente) e superior àquelas com CIN (17,33kg dia-1). As dietas experimentais não alteraram a composição do leite. A utilização da cana-de-açúcar tratada com Ca(OH)2 é uma alternativa alimentar viável para vacas Holandesas com potencial genético médio para produção leiteira, já que possibilita produção e composição do leite similar à vacas alimentadas com silagem de milho, além de beneficiar a logística de alimentação nas propriedades rurais.

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance of dairy cows fed with sugarcane treated with 5g kg-1 of calcium oxide (CaO) or hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. Eight Holstein cows with 638.01±12.52kg of body weight and milk yield of 20.32±1.5kg d-1 were randomly assigned into two 4x4 Latin squares, fed with the following diets composed of corn silage (CS), fresh sugarcane (FS), sugarcane treated with calcium oxide (STCO) or calcium hydroxide (STCH) as only forage. Data collection lasted five days, after 15 days of adaptation to diets and facilities. The dry matter intake (% of body weight) was higher in diets with CS (3.08) compared to those with FS (2.67), STCO (2.73) or STCH (2.73), which did not differ. Diets with CS determined milk production adjusted for 4% fat (20.05kg d-1) similar to diets containing STCO and STCH (18.01 and 17.89kg d-1, respectively) and higher than those with FS (17.33kg d-1). The experimental diets did not alter the composition of milk. The use of sugarcane treated with Ca(OH)2 is a viable option for feeding Holstein cows with average genetic potential for milk production because it allows production and composition similar to milk dairy cows fed with corn silage, besides benefiting the logistics of feeding in the rural properties.

Objetivou-se avaliar a composição mineral da cana-de-açúcar in natura hidrolisada com doses crescentes de cal virgem e diferentes tempos de exposição ao ar. As doses de cal virgem (CaO) utilizadas foram 0,0 (controle); 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0% com base na matéria natural da cana e os tempos de exposição ao ar 0; 24; 48; 72 e 96 horas. A composição mineral foi avaliada através das concentrações cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P), potássio (K), magnésio (Mg); zinco (Zn), cobre (Cu), manganês (Mn), cromo (Cr), chumbo (Pb) e cádmio (Cd). Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os dados foram analisados utilizando uma análise de variância com medidas repetidas, para a comparação das médias foi utilizado o teste de Tukey ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. A variação no teor de Ca (P<0,05) ocasionou alteração na relação Ca:P da cana-de-açúcar hidrolisada, chegando a relação de 36,46:1 na dose mais elevada de cal (2,0%). Os teores de P, K, Mg, Zn e Cu diminuíram com a elevação da dose de cal (P<0,05). Em relação ao fator tempo, houve um acréscimo na concentração K, Mg e Mn (P<0,05). O tratamento da cana-de-açúcar com cal virgem (CaO) microprocessada aumenta o teor de Ca do volumoso ocasionando um aumento na relação Ca:P. Há presença de Pb na cal virgem, porém abaixo da concentração tóxica para ruminantes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mineral composition of "in natura" sugarcane hydrolyzed with increasing doses of quicklime and different periods of exposure to air. The levels of quicklime (CaO) used were 0.0 (control); 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 to 2.0% based on natural matter of cane and the time of exposure to air at 0; 24; 48; 72 and 96 hours. The mineral composition was assessed through the concentrations of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). We used a completely randomized design. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures for comparison of means by Tukey test at 5% probability was used. The Ca concentration changes (P<0,05) caused a modification of the Ca:P ratio in the hydrolyzed sugarcane that reached 36.46:1 at the highest dose of lime (2.0%). The levels of P, K, Mg, Zn and Cu decreased with increasing levels of quicklime (P<0,05). Regarding to the period of exposure to air, there was an increase in the concentration of K, Mg, and Mn (P<0,05). The treatment of sugarcane with microprocessed quicklime (CaO) increases the Ca content of the forage. Pb is present in the quicklime but in a concentration well below the toxic concentration for ruminants.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary energy and recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) injection to identify genes that might control mammogenesis. Total RNA was extracted from the parenchymal tissue of 32 heifers randomly assigned to one of four treatments: two diets (a standard diet and a high energy, high protein diet), each with or without bST. To perform microarray experiments, RNA samples were pooled (2 animals/pool) before reverse transcription and labeling with Cy3 or Cy5. A 4-node loop design was used to examine the differential gene expression among treatments using a bovine-specific cDNA microarray (National Bovine Functional Genomics Consortium Library, NBFGC) containing 18,263 unique expressed sequence tags (EST). Significance levels of differential gene expression among treatments were assessed using a mixed model approach. Injection of bST altered the expression of 12 % of the genes on NBFGC slide related to tissue development, whereas 6% were altered by diet. Administration of bST increases the expression of genes positively related to cell proliferation and mammary parenchyma to a greater extent than a high energy diet.

Objetivou-se avaliar o uso de fontes de ácidos graxos insaturados nas rações de vacas leiteiras sobre o balanço de nutrientes e o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas Holandesas no terço médio de lactação (média de 128 dias) e (580 ± 20 kg de peso; média ± DP) com produção média de leite de 25kg/dia distribuídas aleatoriamente em três quadrados latinos balanceados 4 x 4 alimentadas com as seguintes dietas: controle (C); óleo de soja refinado; (OS); grão de soja integral (GS) e; sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos insaturados (SCAG). A produção de leite obtida foi de 26,6; 26,4; 24,1 e 25,7kg/dia para as dietas CO, OS, GS e SCAG respectivamente. As vacas alimentadas com a dieta GS produziram menos leite (1,95kg/dia), gordura e lactose em relação às vacas alimentadas com as dietas OS e SCAG. As vacas alimentadas com a dieta SCFA, apresentaram menores concentrações de nitrogênio uréico no sangue, leite, urina (g/dia), maior eficiência do uso de nitrogênio e consumo de energia em relação a dieta OS. As vacas alimentadas com as dietas contendo fontes de ácidos graxos insaturados demonstraram maiores concentrações no leite dos ácidos graxos C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 e C18:1, trans-11, em relação as vacas alimentadas com a dieta CO. O uso de grão de soja integral e óleo de soja promovem maior eficiência dos processos digestivos e aumentam as concentrações de ácidos graxos insaturados no leite de vacas leiteiras.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of unsaturated fatty acid sources supplementation on nutrients balances and milk fatty acid profile of mid lactation dairy cows. Twelve Brazilian Holstein cows in the mid lactation (mean of 128 days) and (580 ± 20kg of weight; mean ± SD) with milk yield of 25kg/d were assigned randomly into three 4 x 4 Latin square, fed the following diets: control (C); refined soybean oil; (SO); whole soybean raw (WS) and; calcium salts of unsaturated fatty acids (CSFA). Milk yield was 26.6; 26.4; 24.1 and 25.7 to the diets CO, SO, WS and CSFA respectively. Cows fed the WS treatment produced less milk (1.95kg/d of milk), fat and lactose than did cows fed the SO and CSFA. Cows fed the CSFA treatment showed less blood, urine (g/d) concentrations of N more energetic efficiency and intake of energy than did cows fed the SO treatment. Cows fed the unsaturated fatty acids sources showed more C18:2 cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-C18:1 FA concentration in milk than did cows fed the CO treatment. Diets with whole soybeans and soybeans oil provide more efficient digestive processes, and increase milk composition of unsaturated fatty acids.

Objetivou-se avaliar o consumo de nutrientes e o desempenho de novilhas Nelore alimentadas com dietas contendo cana-de-açúcar in natura (CN) ou hidrolisada (CH) com 0,5% de Ca(OH)2 armazenada por 24, 48 e 72 horas. Foram utilizadas 24 novilhas com nove meses de idade e 119,6±8,1kg de peso corporal inicial. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualisado com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. O consumo de matéria seca foi reduzido em 29% pela adição de Ca(OH)2, não sendo alterado pelo período de armazenamento da CH. O consumo de cálcio foi incrementado (P<0,05) pela utilização de CH nas dietas, mantendo níveis de ingestão aceitáveis. Novilhas alimentadas com CH armazenada por 24, 48 e 72 horas apresentaram, respectivamente, ganhos de peso 41, 30 e 35% inferior (P<0,05) àquelas alimentadas com CN. O tratamento da cana-de-açúcar com Ca(OH)2 não é recomendado para alimentação de novilhas Nelore, em virtude de limitar a ingestão e reduzir o ganho de peso.

The study aimed to evaluate the nutrients intake and performance of Nellore heifers fed with chopped sugarcane, fresh (FS) or treated (HS) with 0.5% of Ca(OH)2 and stored during 24, 48 or 72 hours. It was used twenty-four heifers with nine months age and 119.6±8.1kg of initial body weight. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and six replications. The dry matter intake showed an average reduction of 29% by adding Ca(OH)2, and didn't change with the storage period. Calcium intake was increased by the use of HS in the diet, while maintaining acceptable levels of intake. Heifers fed with HS stored during 24, 48 and 72 hours had, respectively, average daily weight gain of 41, 30 and 35% lower than those fed with FS. The treatment of sugarcane with Ca(OH)2 is not recommended for feeding Nellore heifers, due to limited intake and lower weight gain.

O experimento foi conduzido para avaliar as características bromatológicas e a digestibilidade in vitro de quatro variedades de cana-de-açúcar submetidas ou não à hidrólise com cal virgem. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições, arranjadas em esquema fatorial 4 × 2, com quatro variedades de cana-de-açúcar (SP 52454, RB 867515, RB 855536 e IAC 862480), hidrolisadas ou não. Houve efeito significativo para as características brix (p < 0,05) e fibra industrial (p < 0,05), sendo a variedade IAC 862480 a que apresentou os menores teores de fibra industrial. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) nos teores de fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e lignina entre as variedades de cana-de-açúcar estudadas, bem como para cana-de-açúcar hidrolisada ou não. O uso da hidrólise da cana-de-açúcar com 1% de cal virgem melhora a digestibilidade in vitro da FDN e FDA independente da variedade estudada. A hidrólise com 1% de cal virgem não modificou a composição químico-bromatológica da cana-de-açúcar.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the bromatological characteristics and the in vitro digestibility of four sugarcane varieties, subjected or not to hydrolysis, with quicklime. A completely randomized design was employed with three replications arranged in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with four sugarcane varieties (SP 52454, RB 867515, RB 855536 and IAC 862480), hydrolyzed or not. There was significant effect on brix (p < 0.05) and industrial fiber (p < 0.05), and IAC 862480 variety had the lowest levels of industrial fiber. There were no significant difference (p > 0.05) in neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and lignin levels among the sugarcane varieties under analysis and for the sugarcanes, hydrolyzed or not. The use of sugarcane hydrolysis with 1% quicklime improves the in vitro digestibility of NDF and ADF, regardless of the variety studied. Hydrolysis with 1% quicklime did not alter the sugarcane chemical composition.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical characteristics of the forage and ingestive behavior of Nellore heifers fed hydrolyzed sugarcane in different periods of storage. Twenty-four heifers with initial body weight of 119.6±8.1 kg were utilized. The experimental design was completely randomized, in which the treatments were diets with fresh sugarcane and hydrolyzed sugarcane (5 g of lime kg-1 of chopped sugarcane) stored for 24, 48 or 72 hours as the only roughage. The addition of lime to sugarcane associated with its storage up to 72 hours provided an increase of 20% of the potentially degradable cell wall of carbohydrates, from 382.4 to 458.8 g kg-1 of total carbohydrates. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter was altered by the storage of hydrolyzed sugarcane, increasing 7.08% when the storage time was increased from 24 to 72 hours. Heifers fed fresh sugarcane remained more time consuming compared with heifers fed other diets. The time used for water intake was not influenced by the diet. The rumination time presented a quadratic variation in relation to storage time of the hydrolyzed sugarcane, with higher values for the of hydrolyzed sugarcane diets stored for 48 hours. Heifers fed hydrolyzed sugarcane spent more time on other activities than those fed fresh sugarcane. The supply of hydrolyzed sugarcane stored up to 72 hours in the proportion of 600 g kg-1 of dry matter in the diet, alters the intake patterns, reducing the feed intake in Nellore heifers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate, in Nellore heifers, intake and digestibility of hydrolyzed sugarcane stored for different periods. The experimental design used was a 4 × 4 Latin square, four diets, four Nellore heifers with ruminal cannulas (initial body weight 285.4±23.08 kg and average initial age 14 months) and four periods of 21 days. The diets were composed by fresh sugarcane (time zero) or hydrolyzed sugarcane with addition of 0.5% of hydrated lime, stored for 24, 48 or 72 hours, as the unique forage. Intake and digestibility of feed fractions, nitrogen balance, microbial synthesis efficiency, total number of ruminal protozoans and ammoniacal nitrogen did not significantly change by storing sugarcane with addition of 0.5% of hydrated lime. Sugarcane pH varied quadratically for storage time, with maximum pH of 7.02 after 24 hours from lime addition. Ruminal liquid pH values were higher for heifers fed fresh sugarcane, in comparison with those fed hydrolyzed sugarcane. Sugarcane treated with 0.5% of hydrated lime stored for up to 72 hours does not change ruminal digestion to alter the amount of feed consumed by pubescent Nellore heifers. Thus, lime is a viable technology, once it allows long-duration storage and bee control on treated forage, which contributes to animal feeding logistics.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os efeitos de uma dieta de alto nível de energia e proteína combinada com a aplicação de bST no perfil de expressão dos genes da leptina e de seu receptor Ob-Rb no parênquima mamário de novilhas leiteiras. Foram utilizadas amostras de parênquima mamário de 32 novilhas holandesas distribuídas aleatoriamente em quatro tratamentos (n=8): dieta com alto ou baixo teor de energia e proteína combinada ou não com a aplicação de bST. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com arranjo de tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2 × 2. A extração do RNA total das amostras de tecido foi feita e o nível de expressão gênica foi analisado por qRT-PCR utilizando-se o gene da glicuronidase β como controle, pelo método 2-ΔΔCt. Animais que receberam a dieta com alto conteúdo de energia e proteína apresentaram maior expressão de mRNA de leptina, com aumento de 56%, e menor expressão de mRNA do receptor Ob-Rb, com redução de 18%. Por outro lado, a aplicação de bST resultou em diminuição da expressão do mRNA de leptina e do receptor Ob-Rb em 74% e 23%, respectivamente. Não houve interação entre dieta e aplicação de bST. O aumento na expressão de leptina pode explicar, ao menos em parte, os efeitos negativos da dieta de alta energia e proteína, oferecida no período pré-púbere, sobre a produção de leite de novilhas leiteiras.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a diet with high level of energy and protein, combined with bST injections, on leptin and leptin-receptor (Ob-Rb) gene expression profile in the mammary parenchyma of dairy heifers. Mammary parenchyma samples from 32 Holstein heifers, randomly assigned to one of four treatments (n=8), were utilized: high or low energy and protein diet, with or without bST injection. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks and arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Total RNA was extracted from tissue samples and gene expression profile was tested in qRT-PCR, against glucuronidase β as a control, using the 2-ΔΔCt method. Animals receiving the diet with high level of energy and protein had higher leptin mRNA expression, with an increase of 56%, and lower leptin receptor Ob-Rb mRNA expression, with a decrease of 18%. On the other hand, bST injection decreased leptin mRNA and receptor Ob-Rb mRNA expression in 74% and 23%, respectively. There was no interaction between diet and bST injection. The increase in leptin expression can explain, at least in part, the detrimental effects caused by diets rich in energy and protein, offered during the prepubertal period, in future milk production of dairy heifers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and dry matter in vitro digestibility of stem, leaf, straw, cob and kernel fractions of eleven corn (Zea mays) cultivars, harvested at two cutting heights. The experiment was designed as randomized blocks, with three replicates, in a 2 × 11 factorial arrangement (eleven cultivars and two cutting heights). The corn cultivars evaluated were D 766, D 657, D 1000, P 3021, P 3041, C 805, C 333, AG 5011, FOR 01, CO 9621 and BR 205, harvested at a low cutting height (5 cm above ground) and a high cutting height (5 cm below the first ear insertion). Cutting height influenced the dry matter content of the stem fraction, which was lower (23.95%) in plants harvested at the low, than in plants harvested at the high cutting height (26.28%). The kernel fraction had the highest dry matter in vitro digestibility (85.13%), while cultivars did not differ between each other. Cob and straw were the fractions with the highest level of neutral detergent fiber (80.74 and 79.77%, respectively) and the lowest level of crude protein (3.84% and 3.69%, respectively). The leaf fraction had the highest crude protein content, both for plants of low and high cuttings (15.55% and 16.20%, respectively). The increase in the plant cutting height enhanced the dry matter content and dry matter in vitro digestibility of stem fraction, but did not affect the DM content of the leaf fraction.

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar as características agronômicas, a composição químico-bromatológica e a digestibilidade de 11 cultivares de milho (Zea mays) colhido em duas alturas de corte. As cultivares D 766, D 657, D 1000, P 3021, P 3041, C 805, C 333, AG 5011, FO 01, CO 9621 e BR 205 foram avaliadas quando colhidas 5 cm acima do solo (baixa) e 5 cm abaixo da inserção da primeira espiga (alta). O experimento foi delineado como blocos casualizados, com três repetições, arranjados em esquema fatorial 11 x 2. Os cultivares apresentaram produções semelhantes de matéria seca de forragem e de grãos. As porcentagens das frações colmo, folha, palha, sabugo e grão diferiram entre os cultivares, assim como os teores de matéria seca da planta inteira no momento da colheita. Considerando a planta inteira, apenas os teores de energia bruta, nitrogênio da fração fibra em detergente neutro e a digestibilidade in vitro da fibra em detergente neutro e detergente ácido não diferiram entre os cultivares. O aumento da altura de corte melhorou a qualidade da forragem, devido à redução das frações colmo e folha e dos teores dos constituintes da parede celular.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics, bromatological-chemical composition and digestibility of 11 corn cultivars (Zea mays) harvested at two cutting heights. Cultivars D 766, D 657, D 1000, P 3021, P 3041, C 805, C 333, AG 5011, FO 01, CO 9621 and BR 205 were evaluated when they were harvested 5 cm above ground (low) and 5 cm below the insertion of the first ear (high). The experiment was designed as random blocks, with three replicates, arranged in an 11 x 2 factorial scheme. Cultivars presented similar productions of forage dry matter and grains. Percentages of stalk, leaf, straw, cob and kernel fractions were different among cultivars, as well as dry matter content of the whole plant at harvest. Considering the whole plant, only the contents of gross energy, nitrogen in neutral detergent fiber, and in vitro neutral and acid detergent fiber digestibility did not differ among cultivars. Increase on the cutting height improved forage quality due to the reduction of stalk and leaf fractions and contents of cell wall constituents.

Objetivou-se estudar o efeito do tratamento alcalino da cana-de-açúcar com cal virgem ou cal hidratada sobre a composição bromatológica e a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca, da fibra em detergente neutro e da fibra em detergente ácido. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 × 3, composto de três formas de processamento da cana (in natura; cana hidrolisada com 0,5% de cal virgem; e cana hidrolisada com 0,5% de cal hidratada) e três tempos de armazenamento (12, 36 e 60 horas). As formas de processamento influenciaram os teores de matéria orgânica, matéria mineral, carboidratos totais e hemicelulose, assim como os teores de fibra em detergente neutro e nutrientes digestíveis totais. Os tempos de armazenamento influenciaram os teores de proteína bruta, matéria orgânica, carboidratos totais e hemicelulose. Entre os minerais, somente o teor de cálcio teve aumento com a inclusão de ambos os tipos de cal em relação à cana-de-açúcar, que não sofreu o processo de hidrólise. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca e da fibra em detergente neutro aumentaram com a hidrólise da cana em comparação à cana in natura. A hidrólise com cal hidratada ou com cal virgem mantém o valor nutricional da cana-de-açúcar, permitindo que possa ser utilizada depois de até 60 horas de armazenamento.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of the alkaline treatment of sugarcane with virgin lime or hydrated lime on the bromatologic composition and in vitro digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. It was used a complete random design with a 3 × 3 factorial scheme composed by three forms of of sugarcane processing (in natura sugarcane; hydrolyzed sugarcane with 0.5% virgin lime; and hydrolyzed sugarcane with 0.5% hydrated lime) and three storage times (12, 36 and 60 hours). The forms of processing changed the contents of organic matter, mineral matter, total carbohydrates, and hemicellulose as well as the contents of neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients. Times of storage changed contents of crude protein, organic matter, total carbohydrates and hemicellulose. Among the minerals, only content of calcium showed an increase for the sugarcane processing forms. Coeficients of digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber increased with hydrolises of sugar cane when compared to in natura sugarcane. Hydrolisis with hydrated lime or with virgin lime keeps the nutrional value of sugarcane making its use possible up to 60 hours after storage.

Foram utilizados 24 bezerros da raça Holandesa distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com oito repetições e três tratamentos: leite integral (LI) e dois tipos de sucedâneos, DestetorÒ (DES) e LactalÒ (LAC), durante o período de aleitamento (60 dias), sendo avaliados: ganho de peso, consumo de matéria seca e mensurações corporais (altura na cernelha, circunferência toráxica e ventral). Os ganhos médios diários de peso, a altura na cernelha e a circunferência torácica e ventral dos bezerros não diferiram (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Foram obtidas as médias de ganho de peso de 0,32, 0,41 e 0,26 kg/bezerro/dia nos tratamentos LI, DES e LAC, respectivamente. O consumo de matéria seca total na fase de aleitamento, durante 60 dias, diferiu entre os tratamentos, sendo que os bezerros que receberam o sucedâneo DES consumiram mais matéria seca total, comparados àqueles que receberam o sucedâneo LAC (P<0,05). As médias de consumo diário de matéria seca foram: 0,79; 0,94 e 0,68kg/bezerro respectivamente para os tratamentos LI, DES e LAC.

24 holstein calves were assigned on a completely randomized experiment with eight repetitions and three treatments: integral milk (LI) and two types of milk replacer, DestetorÒ (DES) and LactalÒ (LAC), during the period of suckling (60 days), when the variables were studied: body weight gain, dry matter intake and corporal measure (wither height, heart and abdominal girth circumference). The mean daily body weight gain, wither height, heart and abdominal girth circumference did not had statistically significant differences (P>0.05). The mean daily body weight gain was 0.32; 0.41 and 0.26 kg/calve/day in LI, DES and LAC treatments respectively. The total dry matter intake was more to the calves that received the DES compared with those that received LAC (P<0.05). The total daily dry matter intake was: 0.79, 0.94 and 0.68 kg/calf by the treatments LI, DES and LAC respectively.

Dados de 32.779 controles mensais, de 3.605 lactações em 305 dias (PL305), de 2.082 vacas Gir, filhas de 281 touros, com partos ocorridos de 1987 a 1999 em 11 rebanhos, foram usados com o objetivo de verificar a viabilidade de utilização da produção de leite no dia do controle (PLDC) em avaliações genéticas de touros da raça Gir. Foram realizadas análises univariadas das PLDC1 a PLDC10 e da PL305 pelo método de máxima verossimilhança restrita, sob modelo animal, incluindo as três primeiras lactações como medidas repetidas de um mesmo animal, diferenciados conforme o grupo contemporâneo de rebanho-ano-estação, de acordo com a idade da vaca ao parto e, do intervalo parto-primeiro controle na PLDC1. As médias observadas e os respectivos desvios-padrão (kg) para PLDC1 a PLDC10 e PL305 foram: 11,97<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>4,64; 11,93<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>4,68; 10,98<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>4,40; 10,18<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>4,12; 9,66<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3,88; 9,20<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3,69; 8,63<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3,51; 8,08<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3,33; 7,59<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3,27; 7,22<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3,15 e 2.746,17<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>1.299,90. As estimativas de herdabilidade para as PLDC1 a PLDC10 foram de 0,26; 0,19; 0,18; 0,20; 0,15; 0,13; 0,14; 0,10; 0,11 e 0,10, respectivamente; para a PL305 foi de 0,18. As correlações de ordem dos valores genéticos preditos de 281 touros, obtidos entre as PLDC e a PL305, foram altas, oscilando de 0,85 a 0,94. O percentual de coincidência de touros que seriam selecionados pelos valores genéticos preditos das PLDC2 a PLDC5 foram acima de 80%, a partir de 5% dos melhores classificados pela PL305. Em algumas PLDC o nível de coincidência de classificação dos touros com a PL305 foi muito baixo.

Data from 32,779 monthly milk production, from 3,605 lactations until 305 days (PL305), from 2,082 Gir breed cows, sired by 281 bulls, calving from 1987 to 1999, in 11 herds, were utilized to verify the viability of using daily milk production control (PLDC) in sires genetic evaluation. Univariates analysis for PLDC1 to PLDC10 and Pl305 were performed utilizing the restricted maximum likelihood method within an animal model, which included the three first lactations as replicate measures of the same dams unit. Animals were grouped according to the criterion of contemporaneous group of herd-year-season, and according to calving-age and to the interval calving-first control in PLDC1. The observed averages (kg) and the respective standard deviations for PLDC1 to PLDC10 and PL305 were: 11.97<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>4.64; 11.93<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>4.68; 10.98<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>4.40; 10.18<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>4.12; 9.66<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3.88; 9.20<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3.69; 8.63<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3,51; 8.08<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3.33; 7.59<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3.27; 7.22<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>3.15 and 2,746.17<FONT FACE=Symbol>±</FONT>1,299.90. Heritability estimates for PLDC1 to PLDC10 were: 0.26; 0.19; 0.18; 0.20; 0.15; 0.13; 0.14; 0.10; 0.11 e 0.10, respectively; for PL305 it was 0.18. Spearman correlations between predicted genetic values for 281 sires according to the analysis on PLDC vs PL305 were large, oscillating from 0.85 to 0.94. In selecting above 5% of the top sires for PL305, there was an overlapping of above 80% of the animals for PLDC. In some PLDC the coincidence level of the sires rank correlation with PL305 was very low.

Avaliou-se a digestibilidade dos nutrientes de uma ração completa fornecida a bovinos de diferentes grupos genéticos. A digestibilidade foi estimada pela Lignina em Detergente Ácido, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com repetição no tempo. Foram efetuadas análises químicas da ração e das fezes, a cada 28 dias. De cada grupo genético foram colhidas fezes de 16 animais, no mínimo, a cada 28 dias. Observaram-se diferenças no aproveitamento dos nutrientes, destacando-se o Guzerá em todas as variáveis, com exceção da proteína bruta e da fibra em detergente ácido. Por outro lado, o Caracu mostrou-se menos eficiente na digestibilidade dos nutrientes, com exceção da proteína bruta e da fibra em detergente ácido.

The digestibility of the nutrients of a complete ration, supplied to animals of different genetic groups was evaluated. The digestibility was estimated by Acid Detergent Lignin. A randomized block design was used, with replications in the time. Chemical analyses of the ration and feces were carried out each 28 days. For each genetic group, feces of 16 animals were collected at least each 28 days. Differences were observed in the use of the nutrients, standing out the Guzerá in all the variables, except for digestibility of crude protein and of acid detergent fiber. On the other hand, the Caracu showed less efficiency in the digestibility of the nutrients, except for crude protein and acid detergent fiber.