Use of docosahexaenoic acid for lamb diet

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of docosahexaenoic in the concentrated acid on intake, digestibility, metabolic profile and ingestive behavior of lambs diets. Five crossbred Dorper x Santa Inês lambs with initial age and body weight average of six months and 33 kg, respectively, were used in the trial. The animals were assigned into a 5×5 Latin square design and they received one of the following treatments: 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 % of microalgal product (Aurantiochytrium limacinum algae) or ALL-G Rich® in the concentrate. The diets were composed of corn silage and concentrate offered twice daily. During the experimental period, feed, water, feces, blood, and urine were sampled to calculate the intake and digestibility and to characterize the metabolic profile. The ingestive behavior was measured during 24 hours on the last day each experimental period. The time spent on feeding, ruminating and idle activities was measured. Regression analyses were performed considering 5 % of significance. There were no difference on nutrients intake, digestibility, and ingestive behavior with the inclusion of ALL-G Rich® in the diet (p>0.05). There was a significant effect on serum concentrations of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, alkaline phosphatase and gammaglutamyl transferase, however, all metabolites remained within the range recommended for the animal category. Thus, ALL-G Rich® can be used up to 6% in the concentrate, on dry matter basis, of lambs diet without affect intake, digestibility, metabolic profile, and ingestive behavior.