Metabolic dynamics of native lambs fed with Tifton 85 hay or Maniçoba hay associated with the spineless cactus

P.C Soares,D.B Cardoso,D.M Lima Júnior,L.N.F Gouveia,F.F.R Carvalho,E.F O Filho,Â.M.V Batista,T.G.P Silva

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-11399

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolic response of native lambs fed Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon dactylon) or Maniçoba hay (Manihot pseudoglaziovii) associated with spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck). Sixteen Morada Nova lambs were used, with a mean initial weight of 19.36±1.48kg, distributed in a randomized block design, with two treatments and eight replications. Dry matter intake was higher for lambs fed Maniçoba hay compared to Tifton hay, while the body weight at slaughter was not influenced by diets. Regarding the blood metabolites, only the serum concentration of urea was influenced, with higher value observed in the lambs that fed the diet containing Tifton hay. When analyzing blood biomarkers, in the different biweekly collections, a linear increase in the blood concentration of urea, glucose, fructosamine, alkaline phosphatase and sodium was observed, as well as a quadratic effect for serum potassium. The other blood metabolites were not influenced in function of the collection days. The replacement of Tifton 85 hay for Maniçoba hay does not cause negative changes in the dynamics of different biomarkers and presents itself as a promising forage resource.

Highlights

In the Northeast region of Brazil, in the semiarid region, there is an abundance of forage during the rainy season; while during the dry season, which can extend from six to nine months, there is a shortage of forage and, limitations in the availability of food for small ruminants
The dry matter intake (g/kg0,75) was greater in lambs fed on diets based on maniçoba hay diet (P< 0.05) than those fed Tifton hay-based diet, while the body weight at slaughter was not influenced by diet (P> 0.05, Table 2)
According to França et al (2010), the maniçoba presents anatomical characteristics similar to those of C3 plants, so that its anatomy favors the intake and, the digestibility, due to the arrangement of the mesophyll with more intercellular spaces than in C4 plants, as well as more spaces between the vascular bundles, which may have conferred to the maniçoba hay greater ruminal degradation when compared to Tifton 85 hay

Summary

Introduction

In the Northeast region of Brazil, in the semiarid region, there is an abundance of forage during the rainy season; while during the dry season, which can extend from six to nine months, there is a shortage of forage and, limitations in the availability of food for small ruminants. In order that animal production can be efficient, this situation needs to be combated through the rational use of forage resources adapted (Oliveira et al, 2017). In this context, the spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) is a food resource of extreme importance, used in the feeding of ruminants in semiarid regions of the world, especially during periods of long droughts (Ben Salem et al, 2005). Fiber is of extreme importance and can be found in hay, pasture, and grain or grass silage

Objectives

Methods

Results