AVALIAÇÃO HISTOPATOLOGICA HEPÁTICA E DESEMPENHO OVINOS ALIMENTADOS COM FENO DE Brachiaria brizantha OU CANA-DE-AÇUCAR

Abstract

Brachiaria spp. are important forages in tropical regions, especially in the Cerrado of Central Brazil. Some Brachiaria species have been described as a cause of hepatic lesions in ruminants. Initially, the disease was attributed to Pithomyces chartarum spores, but recent studies suggest that the steroidal saponins contained in the forage are responsible for intoxication. This study evaluates liver histopathology and performance of lambs fed B. brizantha hay or sugar cane. A total of 12 Santa Ines lambs were randomly alloted to two experimental groups: hay group (six lambs fed B. brizantha hay and concentrates) and sugar cane group (six lambs fed sugar cane and concentrates). B. brizantha hay used to feed the animals did not contain Pithomyces chartarum spores. The amount of food supplied was based on 4% of body weight and roughage/concentrate ratio was 62:38. After 93 days, the lambs were slaughtered and carcass dressing was measured. The initial average weight of animals in the hay group was 28,00kg (±3,16), the final average weight reached was 33,55kg (±5,13), the total average weight gain was 5,55kg (±4,23), and the average carcass dressing was 46,14% (±6,55). The initial weight in the sugar cane group was 27,17kg (±2,40), the final average weight reached was 36,92kg (±3,68), the total average weight gain was 9,75kg (±4,80), and the average carcass dressing was 46,17% (±1,41). Lambs in both groups showed similar performances, and liver histopathology revealed the presence of mild and nonspecific hepatic injuries suggestive of cholangitis.