ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the effects of suckling schemes (continued, controlled, and total separation) and the type of pregnancy on performance and serum cortisol concentration in lambs. A total of 29 Santa Inês ewes and 40 lambs were used, and the randomized block design was applied in a split-plot scheme with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement in the plot and time in the subplot. For controlled suckling, the diet was supplied twice daily during one hour, starting on their 10th day of life. Total and average daily intakes of concentrate dry matter of lambs that underwent total separation was higher than those of lambs under continued suckling. Lambs subjected to total separation demonstrated higher concentrate dry matter intake/weight gain ratio, lower total weight gain, lower average daily weight gain, and lower weaning weight than those subjected to continued and controlled suckling. Lambs from single pregnancy demonstrated higher weight gain and obtained higher weight at weaning. Lambs subjected to total separation have a developmental delay. However, the lower performance of lambs subject to total separation cannot be attributed to stress because there is a decrease in the serum cortisol concentration over time.

Machos e fêmeas, Santa Inês puros (SI) e cruzados de matrizes Santa Inês com reprodutores das raças Texel (TxSI), Ile de France (IFxSI) e Bergamácia (BxSI), terminados em confinamento e abatidos aos 15, 25, 35 e 45kg de peso vivo. Após o abate, foram tomados os pesos das vísceras e analisado o crescimento alométrico. O pulmão dos machos BxSI cresceu em taxas mais elevadas que SI e TxSI. A tráqueia/esôfago dos machos SI e TxSI cresceu mais lentamente que dos IFxSI e BxSI. Os rins dos machos BxSI cresceram mais rápido comparado aos dos TxSI e IFxSI. O fígado das fêmeas TxSI cresceu em taxas mais elevadas quando comparadas às fêmeas dos outros grupos genéticos. Os machos e fêmeas do grupo TxSI apresentaram taxas de crescimento maiores para rúmen/retículo, respectivamente, comparado aos grupos SI e BxSI.

Males and females, including purebred Santa Inês lamb (SI) and crosses between Santa Inês dams and Texel (TxSI), Ile de France (IFxSI) and Bergamasca (BxSI) sires were feedlot finished and slaughtered at 15, 25, 35 and 45kg live weight. After slaughter, the following non- carcass components were weighed and calculated the allometric growth. Lungs of BxSI males grew faster than those of SI and TxSI. Trachea/esophagus in SI and TxSI males grew slower than IFxSI and BxSI. Kidneys BxSI males grew faster than TxSI and IFxSI. Livers of female TxSI lamb grew more rapidly than those of females in the other genetic groups. In both males and females, the rumen/reticulum grew faster in the TxSI group than SI and BxSI groups.

Data from 2439 goats of the Saanen, Alpine, Anglo Nubian and Toggenburg breeds recorded from 1976 to 2009 by the Association of Goats and Sheep Breeders of Minas Gerais were used in principal component analysis. After consistency of data, six morphological variables (thorax perimeter, body length, withers height, height, width and length of the rump) and 12 variables related to breed standard score and fitness (breed characteristic, head, palette and topline, feet and legs, dairy type, body capacity, udder, rear and front ligament, udder texture, teat and final score) were analyzed. Based on the magnitude of the eigenvalue (lower than 0.7), eleven variables considered redundant were discarded, resulting in reduced costs of technician labor to evaluate the animals. Maintenance of records on height, length, rump width, breed characteristic, dairy type, front ligament and udder texture is recommended.

The effects of overfeeding with protein of different degradability on body condition, plasma urea nitrogen and progesterone concentrations, ovulation number and follicular dynamics were assessed in Santa Ines ewes. Twelve ewes were assigned to a randomized block design according to body weight and received overfeeding with soybean meal or with corn gluten meal or maintenance diet for 28 days before ovulation and during the next estrous cycle. Blood samples were taken on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after the beginning of treatments for analysis of plasma urea nitrogen and on days 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 into the estrous cycle for analysis of plasma urea nitrogen and progesterone. Follicular dynamics was monitored daily by ultrasound during one estrous cycle. Dry matter and crude protein intake, weight gain, plasma urea nitrogen concentration before ovulation, number of ovulations, diameter of the largest follicle of the 1st and of the 2nd waves and the growth rate of the largest follicle of the 1st wave were higher in the ewes that received overfeeding. The growth rate of the largest follicle of the 3rd wave was higher in the ewes fed maintenance diet. The back fat thickness, plasma urea nitrogen before ovulation and progesterone concentrations, diameter of the largest follicle of the 2nd wave and growth rate of the largest follicle of the 3rd wave were higher in ewes that received overfeeding with soybean meal. The growth rate of the largest follicle of the 1st wave was higher in ewes that received overfeeding with corn gluten meal. Overfeeding with protein-rich feeds may increase the ovulation number and with soybean meal, it may be effective in increasing plasma progesterone concentration in ewes.

This experiment evaluated the effect of adding macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) cake replacing corn on body measurements and carcass characteristics of Santa Inês lambs. Twenty four 5-month-old uncastrated male lambs were tested using a randomized blocks design. Lambs were distributed into four experimental groups, receiving diets with 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg of macaúba cake. After 60 days in feedlot, measurements of body length, thoracic perimeter, height at the anterior and rump height were taken. The lambs were slaughtered, skinned and eviscerated. Carcass were weighed hot and chilled at 2 ºC during 24 h. Cooling losses, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, hot carcass yield, cold carcass yield, half carcass weight, fat thickness, final weight, slaughter weight, empty body weight, thorax depth, croup width, perimeter of the croup, carcass length, internal carcass length, hindlimb length, hindlimb width and hindlimb conformation score were evaluated. Only hindlimb width was inversely correlated to adding macaúba cake in the diet. Macaúba cake can be included in diets for lamb in feedlot up to 300 g/kg without affecting body measurements in vivo or carcass characteristics.

Objetivou-se determinar a influência da proporção volumoso e da fonte de gordura da dieta sobre as características de carcaça e os cortes comerciais de cordeiros. Utilizaram-se 24 cordeiros Santa Inês machos não-castrados, recebendo, à vontade, dieta com duas proporções de volumoso (30 e 70%) e de gordura (sem gordura, gordura protegida e grão de soja) e abatidos com peso corporal médio de 35,4 kg (± 1,5 kg). Os animais alimentados com dietas com 30% de volumoso apresentaram os maiores pesos e rendimentos de carcaça. As porcentagens de braço posterior e pernil foram maiores nos animais que receberam a dieta com 30% de volumoso sem adição de fonte de gordura. O comprimento total de perna e o comprimento interno foram maiores nos animais que receberam a dieta com 70% de volumoso, enquanto a largura de perna foi maior naqueles alimentados com a dieta com 30% de volumoso. A adição de fonte de gordura em dietas com alta porcentagem de concentrado pode aumentar os rendimentos de carcaça. Esse efeito é maior quando utilizada gordura protegida em relação ao grão de soja integral. Apesar de as dietas não terem efeito na maioria dos cortes, o efeito sobre o pernil confirma a influência da dieta sobre esse corte nobre.

This work aimed at determining the influence of roughage proportions and fat source of the diet on characteristics of carcass and comercial cuts of lambs. It was used 24 non-castrated Santa Inês male lambs, ad libitum fed diet with two proportions of roughage (30 and 70%) and fat (no fat, protected fat, and soybean) slaughtered at an avarage body weight of 35.4 kg (± 1.5 kg). Animals fed 30% roughage diet showed the highest weights and carcass yields. The percentages of posterior arm and ham were higher in animals fed 30% roughage with no addition of fat source. Total leg length and internal length were higher in animals fed 70% roughage diet while leg width was higher for those fed 30% roughage diet. Addition of fat source in diets with high percentage of concentrate can increase carcass yields. This effect is higher when protected fat is used regarded to whole soybean. Although diets do not have effect on most of these cuts, the effect on the ham confirms the influence of the diet on this noble cuts.

Avaliaram-se o desempenho e as características de carcaça de 36 cordeiros machos não-castrados, Santa Inês puros e mestiços Dorper × Santa Inês e Texel × Santa Inês, manejados em três sistemas (intensivo semi-intensivo e extensivo) e abatidos com peso médio de 38,41 ± 1,24 kg. Os melhores ganhos de peso foram observados nos cordeiros criados em sistema intensivo, que apresentaram também os maiores pesos e rendimentos de carcaça. Poucas influências foram constatadas sobre as medidas de carcaça e dos cortes comerciais, sobretudo para maiores pesos nos cortes provenientes do manejo intensivo, proporcionado pelo maior peso da carcaça. O percentual relativo dos cortes em relação à carcaça fria praticamente não variou entre os sistemas. O sistema intensivo proporcionou melhor desempenho, independentemente do grupo genético. A utilização das raças Texel e Dorper em cruzamento com Santa Inês eleva o rendimento das carcaças.

It was evaluated the performance and the carcass characteristics of 36 non-castrated male lambs, Santa Inês purebreed and crossbreeds from Dorper × Santa Inês and Texel × Santa Inês, managed in three different systems (intensive, semi-intensive and extensive), slaughtered at 38.41 ± 1.24 kg. It was observed the highest weight gain for lambs reared in intensive system, which also showed the greatest carcass yield. The management systems did not influence carcass measures of animals in intensive system much because of the greater weight of the carcass. The intensive system provided the best performance, regardless the genetic group. The use of Texel and Dorper breeds in crossings with Santa Inês increases carcass yield.

Utilizaram-se 103 cordeiros, machos e fêmeas, Santa Inês puros (SS) e mestiços com Texel (TS), Ile de France (FS) e Bergamácia (BS) confinados individualmente e abatidos aos 15, 25, 35 ou 45 kg de peso vivo. Após abate e resfriamento da carcaça, foram separados os cortes comerciais pescoço, costela/fralda, costeleta, lombo, paleta e perna, os quais foram dissecados em músculo, osso e gordura. O crescimento alométrico de cada tecido da meia-carcaça foi avaliado em relação ao peso da carcaça fria e os tecidos da perna, do lombo e da paleta em relação ao peso do corte. O desenvolvimento do músculo na meia-carcaça nos machos Santa Inês, Santa Inês × Texel e Santa Inês × Ile de France e nas fêmeas Santa Inês e Santa Inês × Texel foi semelhante ao do peso vivo vazio (coeficiente alométrico (b) = 1), enquanto, nos machos Bergamácia e nas fêmeas Ile de France e Bergamácia, foi precoce (b<1). O desenvolvimento do músculo foi precoce (b<1) na paleta dos machos TS e BS e das fêmeas FS e BS; no lombo de machos TS e fêmeas SS, TS e BS; e na perna dos machos BS e fêmeas TS e BS. O desenvolvimento do osso nos cortes e na meia-carcaça foi precoce (b<1) em todos os grupos, com exceção dos ossos da paleta dos machos SS, TS e BS e das fêmeas TS; e dos ossos da perna dos machos BS, com desenvolvimento semelhante (b=1) ao desenvolvimento do corte. O desenvolvimento da gordura nos cortes e na meia-carcaça foi tardio (b>1) em todos os grupos, com exceção da gordura da paleta nos machos BS, cujo desenvolvimento foi semelhante ao do corte (b=1).

This study was conducted using 103 male and female lambs from the following genetic groups: Santa Inês (SS) purebred and Santa Inês × Texel (TS), Santa Inês × Ile de France (FS), and Santa Inês × Bergamacia (BS) crossbred. The animals were slaughtered at the following body weights: 15, 25, 35 or 45 kg. After slaughter and cooling of the carcasses, the following cuts were made: neck, rib/flank, short ribs, loin, blade, and hind limb. The composition in muscle, bone and fat of cuts and ½ carcass were evaluated. The alometric growth of each tissue of the loin, shoulder and leg in relation to the cut weight, and of each tissue of the ½ carcass in relation to the cold carcass weight, was measured. The allometric growth of muscles in the ½ carcass, for BS males and FS and BS females, was early (b<1). The alometric growth of the bone in the cuts and ½ carcass was early (b<1), except for shoulder bone in SS, TS and BS males, and TS females; and leg bone in BS males, with isogonic allometric growth (b=1). The development of fat in the cuts, and ½ carcass was late (b>1), except shoulder fat in BS males, with isogonic growth (b=1). The growth rate of shoulder muscles in SS and FS males, SS and TS females was isogonic (b=1); for TS and BS males, FS and BS females, it was early (b<1). The muscle development in the loin from SS, FS and BS males, and females FS, was isogonic (b=1); for TS males and SS, TS and BS females, it was negative heterogonic (b<1). The allometric growth of the muscle in the loin from SS, TS and FS, and SS and TS females, was isogonic (b=1); and for BS males and TS and BS females, it was negative heterogonic (b<1).

Foram confinados, individualmente 33 cordeiros das raças Bergamácia e Santa Inês, por um período de 75 dias, com o intuito de avaliar a influência da raça e a viabilidade de utilizar dejetos de suínos como parte da dieta, sobre o consumo e desempenho de cordeiros terminados em confinamento. Utilizaram-se dois tipos de dejetos: o Bijú (Dejeto obtido através da raspagem e varredura do piso das baias de crescimento e terminação) e o Dejeto Peneirado Seco - DPS (Dejeto obtido através da peneiração da parte sólida do material contido na lâmina d'água e na água da lavagem das baias). Os tratamentos foram: T1- Controle; T2- Dieta com 24 % de Bijú; e T3- Dieta com 24 % de DPS. O ganho de peso (GP) e conversão alimentar (CA) foram afetados negativamente com o uso de dejetos de suínos, todavia o consumo proteína bruta (PB) e cálcio (Ca) não foi influenciado. Houve maior consumo de fósforo (P) nas dietas contendo dejetos, sendo o consumo de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e extrato etéreo (EE) variável. Entre as rações que continham dejetos não foram verificadas diferenças sobre os consumos de MS, PB, Ca e P e sobre o GP. Os cordeiros da raça Bergamácia apresentaram maior GP que os cordeiros da raça Santa Inês.

Thirty three lambs of Bergamácia and Santa Inês the breeds were individually confined for a period of 75 days with the objective to evaluate the influence of breed and the viability of the use of swine wastes as part of the diet on the intake and performance of lambs. Two types of wastes were used: Bijú (Wastes obtained through the scratching and sweeping of the floor of the growth and termination stalls) and the Dry Sifted Wastes - DSW (Wastes obtained through the sifting of the solid part of the material contained in the of water sheet of the stalls and in the water of washing of the stalls). The treatments were: T1- Control; T2- Diet with 24% of Bijú; and T3- Diet with 24% of DSW, dry matter base. There was influence of the rations (P <0.05) on the intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ethereal extract (EE) and phosphorus (P); and also in the live weight gain (LWG) and in the alimentary conversion (AC). Among the diets with wastes it was not verified differences on the intake of DM, CP, Ca and P; and in LWG. The lambs of the Bergamácia breed showed a higher LWG than the Santa Inês lambs.

RESUMO - O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de cordeiros e cordeiras cruzas Texel x Bergamácia (T x B), Texel x Santa Inês (T x S) e Santa Inês (SI) puros. Trinta e seis animais foram confinados individualmente, durante um período de 50 dias, recebendo, além de silagem de capim elefante, três dietas: A = sem casca de café (controle), B = com casca de café in natura e C = com casca de café tratada com uréia e grão de soja moído. Os animais foram abatidos com idade média de 180 dias. Consumos de matéria seca (CMS), proteína bruta (CPB) e fibra em detergente neutro (CFDN), conversão alimentar (CA), peso final (PF), ganho de peso diário (GPD), peso de abate (PA), diferença de peso devido ao jejum (DPJ), conteúdo do aparelho digestório (CAD) e peso do corpo vazio (PCV) foram avaliados. A utilização de casca de café na dieta, tratada ou não, não influenciou os consumos de MS, PB, PF, GPD, CA, PF, GPD, PA, DPJ, CAD e PCV. O consumo de FDN aumentou com a utilização da casca de café, sendo menor para os animais que consumiram a dieta contendo casca de café tratada com uréia. Os animais cruzas T x B e T x S apresentaram menores consumos MS, PB e FDN e maiores PF, PA, CAD e PCV, comparados aos cordeiros SI. Não foi observada diferença entre os grupos genéticos para CA, GPD e DPJ, apesar dos valores ligeiramente maiores, mas não-significativos, para CA e GPD dos cordeiros T x B e T x S. Os machos apresentaram valores inferiores de consumos de MS, PB, FDN e CA e superiores para PF, GPD, PA e PCV que femeas. Machos e fêmeas mostraram-se semelhantes para DPJ e CAD.

ABSTRACT - The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of female and male Texel x Bergamacia, Texel x Santa Inês and straitbred Santa Inês. Thirty-six lambs were individually penned for a period of 50 days. The animals were fed elephant grass silage and the following diets: A= without coffee hulls (control), B = with untreated in nature coffee hulls and C = with urea in nature treated coffee hulls and ground soybean seed. The animals were slaughtered with average age of 180 days. The intakes of dry matter (DMI), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), feed: gain ratio (F: G), final weight (FW), average daily gain (ADG), slaughter weight (SW), weight loss due to fasting period (FWD), gut content weight (GCW) and empty body weight (EBW) were evaluated. The diets did not affect the intake of DM, CP, FW, SW, FWL, ADG, F: G, GCW and EBW. The neutral detergent fiber intake increased as the coffee hulls increased, and this increase was lower for the animals that consumed diet containing urea treated coffee hulls. The crossbred lambs T x B and T x S showed lower intake of DM, CP and NDF and higher FW, SW, GCW and EBW as compared with straitbreed Santa Inês lambs. There was no difference among the genetic groups for F: G, ADG and FWL, although small high values, but not significant were observed for F: G and ADG of T x B and T x S lambs. The male lambs showed lower DM, CP and NDF and F:G and higher FW, SW, ADW and EBW than the females. The males and females showed similar FWL and GCW.

RESUMO - Trinta e seis cordeiros (18 machos inteiros e 18 fêmeas) de três diferentes grupos genéticos: 12 cordeiros cruzas Texel x Bergamácia (T x B), 12 cordeiros cruzas Texel x Santa Inês (T x S) e 12 cordeiros puros Santa Inês (SI) foram alimentados com três diferentes dietas experimentais: A- sem casca de café; B. com casca de café in natura; e C- com casca de café, tratada com uréia e grão de soja moído. Os pesos das carcaças quente e fria, o rendimento de carcaça quente (RC), a quebra de peso da carcaça devido ao resfriamento, as medidas de comprimento interno e total da carcaça, o comprimento de perna, o comprimento total de perna (CTP), o perímetro da garupa (PG), a largura da garupa (LG), a profundidade do tórax (PT) e a gordura subcutânea (GS), de acordo com a dieta, o grupo genético e sexo foram avaliados. Não houve efeito das dietas sobre as variáveis avaliadas. Os cordeiros cruzas T x B e T x S apresentaram menor CTP e maiores PG, LG e GS. Os cordeiros T x B apresentaram valores superiores para PT. Houve superioridade dos animais cruzados nos pesos das carcaças quente e fria, não ocorrendo diferenças para o rendimento da carcaça quente entre os grupos genéticos. Não houve diferença entre machos e fêmeas para GS. As fêmeas apresentaram melhor RC que os machos. Para as outras características, os machos mostraram valores superiores em relação às fêmeas.

ABSTRACT - Thirty six lambs (18 male and 18 female) from three different genetic groups: 12 lambs Texel x Bergamacia, (T B), 12 lambs Texel x Santa Inês (T S) and 12 lambs pure Santa Inês (SI) were fed with three different experimental diets: A - without coffee hulls; B - with in natura coffee hull and; C - with coffee hull, treated with urea and whole ground soybean seed. The hot carcass weight (CQ), cold carcass weight (CF), hot carcass dressing (RC), cooling weight loss (QR) and the measures of internal length (CI), and total (CE), leg length (CP), total leg length (CTP), croup circumference (PG), croup width (LG), thoracic depth (PT) and subcutaneous fat width (GS), according to the diet, the genetic group and sex were evaluated. Diets did not affect any of the analyzed variables. The crossbred T x B and T x S lambs showed lower CTP and higher PG, LG, and GS. The Tx B lambs showed higher values for PT. There were higher hot and cold carcass weights for the crossbred lambs, and there was no difference for hot carcass dressing among the genetic groups. There was no difference between male and female lambs for GS. The female lambs showed better RC than male lambs. The male lambs showed higher values for all the other characteristics in relation to the female lambs.