Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reducing water supply for watering of Santa Inês ewes on carcass characteristics, non-carcass components and the volume of digestive compartments. Thirty-two crossbred Santa Inês ewes, with an average body weight of 32.2 ± 7.4 kg, were distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments (different supply levels - 100% (ad libitum), 80%, 60% and 40% ad libitum water intake treatment) and eight repetitions. The animals were confined for 63 days until slaughter. The decrease in water availability promoted a linear decreasing effect for the internal carcass length (P = 0.032). A quadratic effect was found for the volume of the omasum (P = 0.018) and abomasum (P = 0.039), with maximum volumes of 0.305 and 1.636 liters, respectively, for 40% supply. The reticulum yield showed a quadratic effect (P = 0.044) with a maximum point in the supply of 100%, with 0.527%. The reduction in water supply promoted a quadratic effect for the weight (P = 0.016) and yield (P = 0.030) of the bladder, with maximum yields found in the supply of 60%, with 0.067 kg and 0.233%, respectively. There was a quadratic effect for weight (P = 0.042) and yield (P = 0.029) of the diaphragm with higher values found in the supply of 60%m with 0.272 kg and 0.927%, respectively. There was a quadratic effect for kidney yield (P = 0.022) with higher yield for 100% supply. Therefore, the reduction in water supply levels by up to 40% in relation to voluntary intake can be a strategy to be used in cases of water scarcity, as it does not cause negative effects on the Santa Inês ewe carcass.
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