ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-arginine supplementation in lactation diets on the productive and reproductive performance of pluriparous sows and their litters. Seventy-six sows of the same genetic line were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design with 19 replicates. The experimental unit was the sow and its respective litter. Treatments comprised a control diet (no L-arginine supplementation) and other three diets obtained by top dressing the control diet with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of L-arginine. L-arginine supplementation had no effect on any performance variables, body condition, milk production, or weaning-estrus interval. There was a quadratic effect on percentage of protein and fat in milk as well as on the daily production of these components. Protein and fat percentage declined during lactation. Adding L-arginine to the diet had a quadratic effect on piglet weight at 13 and 21 days, the optimal level of L-arginine supplementation being estimated as 0.64% and 0.71%, respectively. L-arginine supplementation had a quadratic effect on the weight gain of piglets during the first 13 days and on total period of lactation, the optimal level of L-arginine supplementation being estimated as 0.60% and 0.70%, respectively. Supplementing lactation diets with 0.70% of L-arginine, corresponding to 45 g day−1, improves the weight gain of piglets by improving the nutritional quality of sow milk.

Avaliou-se o efeito dos níveis de inclusão da associação de glutamina e ácido glutâmico (AminoGut: AmG) nas rações sobre o desempenho, morfo-fisiologia gastrintestinal e incidência de diarréia de leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 120 leitões com peso inicial de 6,24±1,00 kg, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, distribuídos de acordo com o peso, cinco tratamentos, seis repetições e quatro leitões por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram: controle negativo (0% AmG); 0,5% AmG; 1,0% AmG; 1,5% AmG; controle positivo (0% AmG, 4% de inclusão de plasma suíno). A inclusão de 1,0% de AmG, quando comparada com a dieta controle positivo, melhorou o ganho de peso, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar. O menor índice de diarréia foi observado com 1,0% de AmG. Os melhores resultados de altura de vilosidade intestinal e relação vilosidade:cripta foram obtidos com 0,82% de AmG. Altura de vilosidade, profundidade de cripta e relação vilo:cripta com 1,0% de AmG foram similares aos obtidos com a dieta controle positivo, no entanto, a relação vilo:cripta foi maior para a dieta 1,0% de AmG no período de 21 a 28 dias. A suplementação de 0,5 e 1,0% de AmG alterou o peso dos órgãos e reduziu o pH da região pilórica e do íleo do intestino delgado em relação ao controle positivo. A suplementação de 1% de glutamina associada ao ácido glutâmico na ração melhora o desempenho e a morfo-fisiologia gastrintestinal de leitões desmamados aos 21 dias de idade.

The effects of dietary inclusion levels of the association of glutamine with glutamic acid (AminoGut: AmG) on the performance, gastrointestinal morphophysiology, and diarrhea incidence of piglets weaned at 21 days of age were evaluated. In the experiment, 120 piglets with 6.24 ± 1.00 kg initial weight were distributed according to a randomized block experimental design into five treatments with six replicates of four animals each. The following treatments were applied: negative control diet (0% AmG); 0.5% AmG; 1.0% AmG; 1.5% AmG; positive control diet (0% AmG, 4% inclusion of porcine plasma). The inclusion of 1.0% AmG, as compared to the positive control diet, improved weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The lowest diarrhea score was observed when 1.0% AmG was included, whereas the best villus height and villus:crypt ratio were obtained with the inclusion of 0.82% AmG. Villus height, crypt depth, and villus:crypt ratio values obtained with 1.0% AmG were similar to those obtained with the positive control diet, except in the period of 21 to 28 days, when the diet with 1.0% AmG promoted higher villus:crypt ratio. The supplementation of 0.5 and 1.0% AmG affected organ weights, and reduced digestive content pH in the pylorus and in the ileum relative to the positive control diet. The dietary supplementation of 1% glutamine associated with glutamic acid improves the performance and the morphophysiology of piglets weaned at 21 days of age.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes fontes de fósforo sobre o desempenho, peso de órgãos e parâmetros sanguíneos de suínos. Foram utilizados 112 suínos com peso inicial de 28,65±2,82kg distribuídos em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 8 x 2 (oito fontes de fósforo x dois sexos), com quatro repetições para machos e três para fêmeas com dois animais por baia. Os suínos foram alimentados com dietas contendo:fosfato bicalcico (FBC); fosfato monobicalcico (FMB); superfosfato triplo (ST); superfosfato simples (SS), fosfato de rocha Catalão (ROCHA), mistura de fontes (MIS), ácido fosfórico (AF) ou dieta sem suplementação com fonte de fósforo (CONT). Aos 60 e 90 kg todos os suínos foram pesados e amostras de sangue fora coletadas para determinação da atividade de fosfatase alcalina (AFA), cálcio (Ca) e fósforo (P) e um animal por baia foi sacrificado para pesagem de fígado e rins e avaliação de rendimento de carcaça. A dieta CONT reduziu ganho de peso e consumo, piorou a conversão alimentar e aumentou peso relativo de rins, AFA e Ca, e diminuiu fósforo sanguíneo. As fontes FBC, FMB, ST e AF reduziram AFA e mantiveram constante P e Ca no sangue. Concluiu-se que fontes de fósforo ST, SS, ROCHA e MIS geraram níveis similares de AFA em suínos de 30 a 90kg que a dieta sem fonte inorgânica de P sem afetar seu desempenho.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sources of phosphorus on performance, organ weight and blood parameters of pigs. One hundred and twelve pigs with body weight 28.65±2.82kg were distributed into randomized blocks, in a 8 × 2 factorial scheme (eight sources of phosphorus × two sexes), with four repetitions for males and three for females, with two animals per pen. The pigs were fed diets containing: dicalcium phosphate (DCP); monodicalcium phosphate (MCP); triple superphosphate (TS); single superphosphate (SS), Catalão-rock phosphate (ROCK), mix of sources (MIX), phosphoric acid (PAc) or a diet without any supplemental source of phosphorus (CONT). At 60 and 90kg, all pigs were weighed and blood samples were collected to determine alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and one animal per pen was killed to weigh the liver and kidneys and evaluate carcass yield. The use of diet CONT reduced the weight gain and feed intake, worsened feed:gain ratio and increased the relative weight of the kidneys, APA and Ca, and decreased blood P. The sources DCP, MCP, TS and PAc reduced the APA and maintained the P and Ca in the blood constant. Phosphorus sources TS, SS, ROCK and MIX generate similar levels of APA in pigs from 30 to 90kg to the diet without inorganic source of phosphorus without affecting their performance.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the requirement of digestible tryptophan for white laying hens in the production stage fed diets of different digestible tryptophan:digestible lysine ratios, as well as animal performance and histological alterations in their reproductive and digestive systems. A total of 280 white laying hens at 29 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and seven replications with eight birds in each. The treatments consisted of a base feed, formulated with corn, soybean meal and corn gluten meal, and supplemented with the synthetic amino acids L-lysine, DL-methionine, L-threonine, L-isoleucine, L-arginine, and L-valine, so as to meet the nutritional requirements for laying hens, except for digestible tryptophan. The basal diet was supplemented with 0.00; 0.017; 0.035; 0.052; and 0.069 g/kg of L-tryptophan in substitution for corn starch with the objective of reaching the levels of 0.151; 0.167; 0.183; 0.199; and 0.215 g/kg of digestible tryptophan in the feed. For the ratio between digestible amino acids and lysine, the recommendation of Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine was followed, except for the digestible tryptophan:digestible lysine ratios, which were 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 for each treatment. The variation in the digestible tryptophan:digestible lysine ratio promoted changes in performance and in the histological characteristics, improving the results. The digestible tryptophan:digestible lysine ratio of 24.5% in the feed of white laying hens in production stage promotes better animal performance and histological results.

Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de determinar as relações adequadas de arginina:lisina, isoleucina:lisina, valina:lisina e triptofano:lisina digestíveis para frangos machos nas fases inicial (7 a 21 dias) e de crescimento (28 a 40 dias de idade). Um total de 1.800 frangos no período inicial e de 1.440 no período de crescimento foi distribuído em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 9 tratamentos e oito repetições de 25 e 20 aves por unidade experimental nos períodos inicial e de crescimento, respectivamente. As relações utilizadas no período inicial foram: 100, 105 e 110 arginina:lisina; 60, 65 e 70 isoleucina:lisina; 70, 75 e 80 valina:lisina; 15, 16 e 17 triptofano:lisina; e, no período de crescimento: 95, 105 e 115 arginina:lisina; 58, 67 e 76 isoleucina:lisina; 71,5, 77 e 82,5 valina:lisina; 14, 17 e 20 triptofano:lisina. As dietas experimentais foram formuladas atendendo às exigências mínimas de nutrientes, exceto lisina digestível (1.08% para o período inicial e 0.98% para o crescimento). No final dos experimentos, foram determinados o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar, o peso e os rendimentos de peito e de filé de peito. No período inicial, não houve efeito das relações arginina:lisina e triptofano:lisina sobre os parâmetros avaliados, entretanto houve efeito linear das relações isoleucina:lisina e valina:lisina sobre o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar das aves. No período de crescimento, as relações arginina:lisina influenciaram linearmente o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar. Houve efeito quadrático das relações isoleucina:lisina, valina:lisina e triptofano:lisina sobre o ganho de peso. O aumento das relações isoleucina:lisina e valina:lisina resulta em melhor desempenho das aves no período de 7 a 21 dias de idade. As relações isoleucina:lisina, valina:lisina e triptofano:lisina indicadas para frangos de corte de 28 a 40 dias de idade são de 69, 76 e 18%, respectivamente.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate digestible arginine:lysine, isoleucine:lysine, valine:lysine and tryptophan:lysine ratios for male broilers in two periods: 7 - 21 (starter) and 28 - 40 (finisher) days of age. A total of 1800 starter and 1440 finisher broilers were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with 9 treatments, eight replicates of 25 and 20 birds per experimental unit in the starter and the finisher periods, respectively. The ratios used in the starter period were: 100, 105 and 110 arginine:lysine; 60, 65 and 70 isoleucine:lysine; 70, 75 and 80 valine:lysine; 15, 16 and 17 tryptophan:lysine, and in the finisher: 95, 105 and 115 arginine:lysine; 58, 67 and 76 isoleucine:lysine; 71,5, 77 and 82,5 valine:lysine; 14, 17 and 20 tryptophan:lysine. Diets were formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional requirements in both periods, except for digestible lysine (1.08% for the starter period and 0.98% for the finisher). At the end of each experiment, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and breast and breast fillet weight and yield were determined. In the starter period, the arginine:lysine and tryptophan:lysine ratios did not affect the evaluated parameters, but there were linear effects of isoleucine:lysine and valine:lysine ratios on birds weight gain and feed conversion. In the finisher period, the arginine:lysine ratios influenced linearlly weight gain and feed conversion. There was a quadratic effect of isoleucine:lysine, valine:lysine, and tryptophan:lysine on weight gain. The increase in the isoleucine:lysine and valine:lysine ratios results in better performance of the broilers from 7 to 21 days of age. The recommended isoleucine:lysine, valine:lysine and tryptophan:lysine ratios for broilers from 28 to 40 days of age are 69, 76 and 18%, respectively.

A total of 3,760 Ross male broiler chicks were used in two trials, one in the pre-starter (1-11 days) phase and the other in the starter (12-22 days) phase. Birds were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a factorial arrangement of 5 digestible lysine levels × 2 environments (clean and dirty environment), with eight replicates per treatment. The following dietary digestible lysine levels used were: 1.06, 1.12, 1.18, 1.24 and 1.30% in the pre-starter phase, and 1.00, 1.06, 1.12, 1.18 and 1.24% in the starter phase. Minimal relation of digestible lysine:digestible methionine + cystine, threonine, tryptophan and arginine (72, 67, 19 and 108%, respectively) were maintained, as well as 2.088 and 2.002% of glycine+serine in the pre-starter and starter diets, respectively. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion were evaluated. In all phases, dietary digestible lysine levels significantly influenced broiler performance, and broilers reared in the clean environment presented better performance than those reared in the dirty environment. The recommended digestible lysine levels during the pre-starter and starter phases are 1.30 and 1.24% when broilers are reared in the clean enviroment and 1.26 and 1.165% in the dirty enviroment, respectively.

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência da inoculação de soluções nutritivas in ovo sobre a eclodibilidade e o desempenho de frangos de corte aos 21 dias de idade. Foram incubados 2.400 ovos, oriundos de matrizes Cobb com 40 semanas de idade, em 4 datas diferentes. Aos 17,5 dias de incubação, os ovos foram inoculados com 0,5 mL de uma das seguintes soluções nutritivas: solução salina 0,5%; solução de 2,0% de glicose + 2,0% de sacarose; solução de 2,5% de glicose + 3,0% de sacarose; solução de vitaminas ou solução de minerais quelatados. Todas as soluções foram avaliadas em comparação a um tratamento controle, constituído por ovos não inoculados. Para determinação da eclodibilidade, os pintos foram selecionados pelo sexo e distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 × 6 (dois sexos e seis soluções), com 8 repetições de 12 a 16 aves por unidade experimental. Aos 7 e 21 dias, foram determinados o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração e a conversão alimentar. Os rendimentos de peito, filé de peito e perna foram determinados no fim do experimento. A inoculação das soluções in ovo diminuiu a eclodibilidade, aumentando o número de ovos bicados e não-nascidos. O ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar das aves aos 7 dias de idade não foram afetados pela inoculação in ovo. Aos 21 dias, as soluções de 2,0% de glicose + 2,0% de sacarose, de vitaminas e de minerais não afetaram o desempenho, entretanto, a inoculação de 2,5% de glicose + 3,0% de sacarose proporcionou melhor conversão alimentar e aumento de 4,07% no ganho de peso, 5,07% no peso de peito com osso e 5,47% no peso de filé de peito. A inoculação de solução nutritiva contendo 2,5% de glicose + 3,0% de sacarose proporciona maior ganho de peso, melhor conversão alimentar, maior rendimento de peito com osso e rendimento de filé de peito das aves aos 21 dias de idade.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of in ovo inoculation of nutritious solutions on the hatchability and the performance of broilers at 21 days of age. It was incubated 2,400 eggs from Cobb broiler breeders at 40 weeks of age on four different dates. On the 17.5 day of incubation, the eggs were inoculated with 0.5 mL with one of the following saline solutions: 0.5%; solutioin of 2.0% glucose + 2.0% sucrose solution; 2.5% glucose + 3.0% sucrose solution, vitamin solution or chelate minerals solution. All solutions were evaluated by comparing them to a control treatment, composed of not inoculated eggs. To determine hatchability, chicks were selected according to sex and distributed in a random block design, in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement (2 sexes × 6 solutions), with 8 replicates of 12 to 16 birds per experimental unit. At 7 and 21 days of age, it was determined weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. Yields of chest, chest filet and leg were estimated at the end of the period. The inoculation of in ovo solutions reduced the egg hatchability, increasing the number of pecked and not hatched eggs. Weight gain and feed conversion of the birds at 7 days of age were not affected by in ovo inoculation. At 21 days of age, solutions of 2.0% of glucose + 2.0% of sucrose, of vitamins and minerals did not affect performance. However, inoculation of 2.5% of glucose + 3.0% of sucrose provided better feed conversion and increase of 4.07% in weight gain, 5.07% in the weight of chest with bones and 5.47% in the chest filet weight. Inoculation of nutritious solution containing 2.5% of glucose + 3.0% of sucrose provides greater weight gain, better feed conversion, greater yields of chest with bones and of chest filet of birds at 21 days of age.

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para avaliar a inclusão de enzimas exógenas em dietas com diferentes níveis e fontes de proteína para leitões. No experimento I, 80 leitões dos 21 aos 51 dias de idade, desmamados aos 14 dias de idade, foram distribuídos em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2x2x2 (dois níveis de proteína; com ou sem farinha de carne e ossos; com ou sem enzima), com cinco repetições e dois leitões/baia, e alimentados com dietas à base de milho (M), farelo de soja (FS) e soro de leite em pó (SLP). No experimento II, 40 leitões dos 28 aos 45 dias de idade, desmamados aos 21 dias de idade, foram distribuídos em blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos, cinco repetições e dois animais/baia, e alimentados com uma dieta controle à base de M, FS e SLP, com 18% de proteína bruta (PB) e três rações com 0,2; 0,4 e 0,6% do complexo enzimático. No experimento I, não foi observada interação entre nível protéico, com ou sem farinha de carne e ossos e enzima. Houve diminuição do GPD e CMD, com o nível de 18% de PB na ração. Não houve efeito da inclusão de FCO e de 0,2% de enzima na ração. No experimento II, houve efeito linear crescente para GPD e CMD, com o aumento do nível de enzimas. A adição de 0,4% de enzimas exógenas proporcionou o melhor retorno econômico sobre o custo da ração. Concluiu-se que o nível de 21% de PB e a adição de níveis crescentes de enzimas exógenas em rações à base de milho e farelo de soja melhoram o desempenho dos leitões, que não é afetado pela inclusão de 5% de farinha de carne e ossos na ração.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the inclusion of exogenous enzymes in diets with different protein levels and sources for pigs during the nursery period. In the first experiment, 80 pigs from 21 to 51 days of age, weaned at 14 days of age, were assigned to a randomized blocks experimental design, in a 2x2x2 factorial (two protein levels; with or without meat and bone meal; with or without enzyme), with five replicates and two pigs/box, and fed a corn (C), soybean meal (SBM) and dried whey (DW)-based diets. In the second experiment, 40 pigs from 28 to 45 days of age, weaned at 21 days of age, were assigned to a randomized blocks, with four treatments, five replicates and two pigs/box, fed a control diet (C, SBM and DW-based diet with 18% crude protein - CP) and three diets with different levels of enzymatic complex (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%). In the first experiment, no interaction was observed among protein level, presence or absence of meat and bone meal (MBM) and presence or absence of enzyme. Reduction of ADG and ADFI was observed at the dietary level of 18% CP. No effect of MBM inclusion and 0.2% enzyme in the diet was detected. In the experiment II, it was observed increasing linear effect for ADG and ADFI, as the enzyme level increase. The addition of 0.4% of exogenous enzymes provided the best economical return for the ration cost. It was concluded that the level of 21% CP and the addition of increasing exogenous enzyme levels in corn and soybean meal-based diets improve pig performance, that is not affected by the inclusion of 5% the meat and bone meal in the diets.

Dezessete novilhas da raça Nelore foram superovuladas a partir do nono dia do ciclo estral, sendo oito novilhas com 250 UI (T1) e nove com 500 UI (T2) de FSH, em oito doses decescentes. Os animais foram monitorados por meio de ultra-sonografia durante o período superovulatório e no dia da coleta de embriões. Não houve diferença na taxa de recuperação e qualidade das estruturas coletadas entre os animais dos dois tratamentos. Foram coletados 4,16 embriões viáveis/doadora nos animais do T1 e 3,15 embriões viáveis/doadora nos animais do T2. A presença do folículo dominante no início do tratamento superovulatório não interferiu na resposta superovulatória. O diâmetro do maior e do segundo maior folículo e número de folículos subordinados entre os animais dos tratamentos durante a superovulação não diferiram. O diâmetro do maior folículo e do segundo maior e o número de folículos subordinados foram de 11,36 mm, 8,91 mm e 16,93 e de 11,59 mm, 9,42 mm e 17,44 para os tratamentos com 250 e 500 UI de FSH, respectivamente.

Seventeen Nelore heifers were submitted to a superovulation protocol, beginning on the ninth day of the estrous cycle. Eight heifers were superovulated with 250 IU (T1) and nine with 500 IU (T2) of FSH. The animals were monitored by ultrasonography during the superovulation period and on the embryo collection day. There were no differences on the recovery rate and quality of the structures collected among the animals of the two treatments. Animals treated with 250 (T1) and 500 IU (T2) of FSH produced 4.16 and 3.15 embryos viables/donor, respectively. The presence of the dominant follicle in the beginning of the superovulatory treatment did not affect the superovulatory response. The largest diameter follicle and second largest one and number of subordinate follicles during the superovulation from the animals of the treatments did not differ among treatments. The diameter for the largest follicle, the second largest and the number of subordinate follicles for the animals treated with 250 versus 500 IU, were: 11.36 x 11.59 mm; 8.91 x 9.42 mm and 16.93 x 17.44 mm, respectively.

Efetuaram-se coletas diárias de sangue, de 16 novilhas Nelore confinadas, para análise de progesterona plasmática pelo método de radioimunoensaio (RIA). Os dias analisados para progesterona foram o dia zero (estro) e a cada três dias até o dia -1 e o dia zero. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: 1) com ciclo estral de 21 dias aproximadamente (novilhas que apresentaram duas e três ondas de crescimento folicular) e 2) com ciclo estral superior a 25 dias (novilhas com quatro ondas de crescimento folicular). As concentrações médias de progesterona plasmática dos animais durante o ciclo estral diferiram entre os dois grupos, sendo superiores (4,27 ng/mL) para os ciclos de maior duração. A concentração média de progesterona no ciclo de aproximadamente 21 dias foi de 2,54 ng/mL. Os resultados sugerem que as novilhas que apresentam maior duração do ciclo estral necessitam de tempo adicional para que seus folículos cheguem ao estádio pré-ovulatório, havendo, dessa maneira, prolongamento e aumento da secreção de progesterona.

Blood were collected daily from 16 Nelore heifers confined, for radioimmunoassay (RIA).analyses of progesterone The plasma progesterone assay were at day zero (estrus) and at each three days until the -1 and the day zero.again The animals were divided in two groups: 1) with regular estrous cycle of 21 days (heifers with two and three follicular growth waves) and 2) with prolonged estrous cycle, greater than 25 days (heifers with four follicular growth waves). The mean plasma progesterone level from the animals during the estrous cycle differed between the two groups, being greater (4,27 ng/mL) for the extended cycles.(above 25 days; 4,27 ng/mL) than for the regular estrous cycle (21 days; 2,54 ng/mL). Results suggest that those heifers which showed an extended estrous cycles, needs an additional time for the follicles to each the pre-ovulatory stadium, resulting in prolonged and increased progesterone secretion.