Total Apparent Digestibility Of Nutrients Research Articles

Impact of dietary zinc and copper levels on ileal and total apparent nutrient digestibility in growing pigs

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels on their apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) and that of calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), and fiber in pigs. The experiment was carried out with six individuals fitted with a T-cannula. Pigs received one of four diets with two levels of Zn (100 [low] and 500 [high] mg/kg) and Cu (40 [low] and 80 [high] mg/kg). High Zn increased AID of Zn and Mn, but decreased that of Ca ( p < 0.05). High Cu tended to improve AID of Cu, but only when high Zn was used (Interaction Zn × Cu, p = 0.051). ATTD of Zn, Cu, Mn, and P was greater in high Zn ( p < 0.05). High Cu also increased ATTD of Cu, but reduced that of Ca ( p < 0.05) as it likely did for ATTD of P in low Zn (Interaction Zn × Cu, p = 0.065). There was an improving trend for ATTD of NDF (Interaction Zn × Cu, p = 0.069), and ATTD of ADF was increased with a combination of high Zn and high Cu (Interaction Zn × Cu, p < 0.05). This research showed that the levels of Cu and Zn modified the digestibility of minerals but also the degradability of fiber.

Doses of orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil for Nellore steers fed with a forage-based diet

The aim was to evaluate whether the doses of orange essential oil supplementation impact on dry matter intake (DMI), ruminal fermentation parameters, apparent nutrient digestibility, and methane production in Nellore steers fed with forage-based diet. A total of 32 rumen-cannulated Nellore steers (initial BW= 335±25 kg; age= 20±1 month) were assigned to individual pens in a randomized complete block design. Within block, steers were randomly assigned to treatments: CON= diet without orange essential oil (EO); 100EO= CON diet plus 100 mg orange EO/kg DM diet; 200EO= CON diet plus 200 mg orange EO/kg DM diet; and 500EO= CON diet plus 500 mg orange EO/kg DM diet. The main active compounds of the orange EO used were limonene (88.0 %) and myrcene (5.79 %). The experimental period lasted 28d, with 22d for adaptation and 6d for sample collection. From d23 to 27, samples of haylage, concentrate, and total fecal production were collected to determine the total tract apparent nutrient digestibility. Ruminal fluid was obtained from d28 at 0, 6, and 12 h after feeding to determine ruminal fermentation parameters and methane production. The difference was considered significant when P ≤ 0.05. No treatment effects were detected (P>0.05) to DMI or specific nutrient intake. The increasing levels of EO did not affect (P>0.05) the total apparent nutrient digestibility. No treatment effects were detected (P>0.05) for ruminal fermentation parameters in vivo. In ex situ, there was a treatment effect for acetate, total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), methane, and relative energy loss (REL). For acetate, an increasing linear effect was observed for treatments that received EO for the variables production (g/kg) (P = 0.002) and gross energy (MJ/kg) (P = 0.002), with a higher concentration for the 500EO. For the total production of SCFA, there was an increasing linear effect of treatment with a higher concentration for 500EO for the variables production (g/kg) (P = 0.001) and gross energy (MJ/kg) (P = 0.001). For methane, a quadratic treatment effect was observed for the variables production (g/kg) (P = 0.045) and gross energy (MJ/kg) (P = 0.046), with lower concentrations for the 200EO. There was a decreasing linear treatment effect for REL(%) (P<0.001). The results for the use of orange EO as a manipulator of ruminal fermentation were promising and the dose of 500 mg/kg of DM showed a greater capacity to increase the energy efficiency of fermentation, with greater production of acids and lower production of methane, without affecting the voluntary intake of steers.

The Effects of Papaya Leaf Extract and Turmeric Extract Inclusion on Total Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients and Methane Gas Production in Bali Cattle

This research evaluated the effects of papaya leaf and turmeric extract supplementation on the total apparent digestibility of nutrients and methane gas production in Bali cattle. The livestock used were 18 Bali cattle that were distributed into treatment without papaya leaf and turmeric extract supplementation (P0), Supplementation of 0.0075% turmeric extract g/kg live weight/day (P1), and supplementation of 0.00375% turmeric extract per kg live weight per day + 0.00375% papaya leaf extract per kg live weight per day (P2). The basal diets were 60% elephant grass cv. Taiwan (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan) and 40% concentrate. The ration provision was three per cent dry matter of body weight. The observed parameters included feed consumption, feces production, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, crude protein digestibility, crude fat digestibility, crude fibre digestibility, nitrogen-free extract digestibility, and methane gas production. The research results indicated that the treatment did not significantly affect feed consumption (P&gt;0.05) but did affect crude protein digestibility, crude fibre digestibility, nitrogen-free extract digestibility, and methane gas production. This study concludes that the feeding of elephant grass cv. Taiwan (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan), with the addition of papaya leaf extract and turmeric extract, does not have a positive effect on feed consumption and feed digestibility; thus, it cannot suppress methane gas production in livestock.

Doses of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil for Nellore steers fed with a forage-based diet

The aim was to evaluate whether doses of lemongrass essential oil supplementation affect DMI, apparent nutrient digestibility and methane production in Nellore steers fed forage-based diets. According to their initial fasting BW, 32 Nellore steers (BW = 332±19 kg; age = 19±1 months) rumen cannulated and castrated, were allocated in individual pens in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were randomly assigned to the animals: CON= forage-based diet without addition of lemongrass EO; 200EO= CON diet plus 200 mg/kg lemongrass EO; 400EO= CON diet plus 400 mg/kg lemongrass EO; or 600EO= CON diet plus 600 mg/kg lemongrass EO. The experimental diets contained 95% Tifton-85 haylage and 5% ground corn. The experimental period lasted 21 days, 15 days for diet adaptation and 6 days for sample collection. Samples of haylage, concentrate and total feces production were collected from day 15 to 20, to determine the total apparent digestibility of nutrients. On the 21st day at 0, 6 and 12 h after feeding, rumen fluid was collected to determine the parameters of rumen fermentation and methane production. Significant effects were adopted when P ≤ 0.05. The main active compounds of the EO of lemongrass used were geranial (42.5%) and neral (30.49%). No treatment effects were detected for DM and nutrient intake. The increasing EO levels of lemongrass did not affect the apparent digestibility of nutrients. There was an increasing linear effect (P < 0.05) of treatment in the in vivo analysis, where the highest dose had the highest valerate concentration. There was no effect for any other variables in vivo. Effects on fermentation parameters were identified in the ex situ technique. For acetate, there was a quadratic treatment effect with higher values for the 400EO for the variable production (g/kg day; P = 0.02) and gross energy (Mcal/kg day; P = 0.02). There was linear increase for butyrate production (g/kg day; P = 0.04) and gross energy (Mcal/kg day; P = 0.04). There was a quadratic effect with higher values for the 400EO for production (g/kg day; P = 0.02) and gross energy (Mcal/kg day; P = 0.02) of SCFA. There was a quadratic effect for REL (P = 0.01), with lower loss in the 400EO. There was no treatment effect for propionate (P ≥ 0.97) and methane production (P ≥ 0.19). In conclusion, 400 mg/kg lemongrass EO optimized ruminal fermentation, minimizing energy loss due to methane emissions.

Different combinations of monensin and narasin on growth performance, carcass traits, and ruminal fermentation characteristics of finishing beef cattle.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different combinations of monensin and narasin on finishing cattle. In Exp. 1, 40 rumen-cannulated Nellore steers [initial body weight (BW) = 231 ± 3.64 kg] were blocked by initial BW and assigned to one of the five treatments as follows: Control (CON): no feed additive in the basal diet during the entire feeding period; Sodium monensin (MM) at 25 mg/kg dry matter (DM) during the entire feeding period [adaptation (days 1-21) and finishing (days 22-42) periods]; Narasin (NN) at 13 mg/kg DM during the entire feeding period (adaptation and finishing periods); Sodium monensin at 25 mg/kg DM during the adaptation period and narasin at 13 mg/kg DM during the finishing period (MN); and narasin at 13 mg/kg DM during the adaptation period and sodium monensin at 25 mg/kg DM during the finishing period (NM). Steers fed MM had lower dry matter intake (DMI) during the adaptation period compared to NM (P = 0.02) but not compared to CON, MM, MN, or NN (P ≥ 0.12). No differences in DMI were observed among the treatments during the finishing (P = 0.45) or the total feeding period (P = 0.15). Treatments did not affect the nutrient intake (P ≥ 0.51) or the total apparent digestibility of nutrients (P ≥ 0.22). In Exp. 2, 120 Nellore bulls (initial BW = 425 ± 5.4 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of the same treatments of Exp. 1 on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing feedlot cattle. Steers fed NM had greater DMI during the adaptation period compared to CON, MM, and MN (P ≤ 0.03), but no differences were observed between NM and NN (P = 0.66) or between CON, MM, and NN (P ≥ 0.11). No other differences between treatments were observed (P ≥ 12). Feeding narasin at 13 mg/kg DM during the adaptation period increases the DMI compared to monensin at 25 mg/kg DM, but the feed additives evaluated herein did not affect the total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, growth performance, or carcass characteristics of finishing cattle.

294 Effect of Supplementing Rumen-protected Methionine on Production, Apparent Digestibility and Economic Effectiveness in Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) levels and supplementing rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on production, apparent digestibility of nutrients and economic effectiveness of lactating Holstein cows. A total of 96 (60 ± 7 d in milk; 34.39 ± 5.74 kg/d of milk production; mean ± SD) lactating Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: diet containing 17.3% CP without RPM (control group; CON); diet containing 16.4% CP with supplementing 15.0 g/d of RPM (treatment group; RPM). All the data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of SAS (SAS version 9.2, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.). No effects were observed of reducing dietary CP on somatic cell counts, milk yield and milk composition including fat, protein, lactose, total solid, solids-not-fat and milk urea nitrogen. The total apparent digestibility of nutrients was similar between treatments, while RPM group had higher calcium digestion (44.24% vs. 42.75% ± 10.13%) and phosphorus digestion (48.50% vs. 45.96% ± 12.90%) numerically. In addition, supplying the diet of 16.4% CP with RPM supplementation to cows could reduce feeding cost by 0.5 $/d per cow and boost net profits. In conclusion, lower dietary CP with RPM supplementation did not limit milk yield, milk composition and apparent digestibility of nutrients, and also could improve the economic benefits of the dairy farms.

Grass and Legume Hays for Sheep: Intake, in vivo Digestibility, and in situ Degradability

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient intake, in vivo digestibility, and in situ degradability of different cultivars of hay (i.e., [Jiggs] and [Tifton-85] bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.) and [alfalfa] (Medicago sativa) and [stylo] Campo Grande (Stylosanthes sp.)) and nitrogen balance in sheep. We used eight rumen-cannulated F1 Santa Ines × Dorper castrated male sheep with body weights of 35.0 kg in a double 4 × 4 Latin Square experimental design. The intake and total apparent digestibility of nutrients were higher (P&lt;0.05) for alfalfa than for stylo hay. The in vivo dry matter (DM) digestibility of Jiggs (47.6%), Tifton-85 (53.4%), stylo (29.3%), and alfalfa (53.2%) hays and in situ DM degradability were equivalent in the range of 7.6 to 63.2 h of degradation. The in vivo neutral detergent fiber (NDFap) digestibility of Jiggs (53.7%), Tifton-85 (64.4%), stylo (42.2%), alfalfa (56.2%), and in situ NDFap degradability were equivalent from 37.3 h. Nitrogen balance was negative only in animals fed stylo hay. Alfalfa hay provides a higher nutrient intake than other hays. The alfalfa and bermuda grass hays used in sheep diets presented better digestibility than stylo hay. The results are suitable to predict in vivo digestibility from in situ degradability parameters.

Effects of grain adaptation programs and antimicrobial feed additives on performance and nutrient digestibility of Bos indicus cattle fed whole shelled corn.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of feed additives [monensin (MON); 30 mg/kg of dry matter (DM), and virginiamycin (VM); 25 mg/kg DM] and grain adaptation programs [adding roughage (ROU; sugarcane bagasse) or not (NO-ROU) during the 20-d adaptation period] on performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility of Bos indicus cattle fed finishing diets containing 85% whole shelled corn and 15% of a pelleted protein-mineral-vitamin supplement. In Exp.1, 105 Nellore bulls [initial body weight (BW) = 368 ± 25 kg] were used in a complete randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, consisting of two feed additives (MON and VM) associated with two adaptation programs (ROU or NO-ROU during the 20-d adaptation period). Effects of feed additives × adaptation programs were not detected (P ≥ 0.13). Feed additives did not affect dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency (G:F) during the 20-d adaptation period (P ≥ 0.35). During the total feeding period (105 d), feeding MON decreased DMI (P ≤ 0.03) compared to VM. Adding sugarcane bagasse to finishing diets during the 20-d adaptation period (ROU) increased ADG (P = 0.05) and G:F (P = 0.03), and tended to increase BW (P = 0.09) compared to NO-ROU. In Exp. 2, 10 ruminally cannulated Nellore steers (BW = 268 ± 38 kg) were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of the two feed additives used in the Exp. 1 (MON and VM; 5 steers/treatment) on DMI, total apparent digestibility of nutrients, and ruminal fermentation characteristics. No differences in DMI, total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, and ruminal fermentation characteristics were observed between MON and VM (P ≥ 0.32). An effect of sampling day (P < 0.001) was observed for ruminal pH, which was greater on day 0 compared to day 7, 14, and 21 of the experimental period (P ≤ 0.05). In summary, supplementing monensin and virginiamycin for finishing Nellore bulls fed whole shelled corn diets, resulted in similar growth performance and carcass characteristics. Including sugarcane bagasse to adapt finishing bulls to no-roughage diets containing whole shelled corn is an alternative to increase growth performance.

Digestibility and palatability of adding crude glycerin to the diet of ponies

Crude glycerin has a potential for use as a nutritional additive and/or substitute for some feed components. Although proven in some animal species, there are no reports of its use in horses. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding different levels of crude glycerin on the digestibility and palatability of nutrients in the equine diet. Eight pony geldings were used in this study, aged 9 years, weighing 149.80 ± 17.20 kg and body condition score 5.4 ± 0.7. A contemporary Latin square 4 × 4 double experimental design was used. Diets differed in the level of inclusion of glycerin (0, 4, 8 and 12%) over the concentrate. To verify the effect of adding crude glycerin to the diet, the total apparent digestibility of nutrients in the diet was assessed. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute Inc., 2010). For statistical significance, Tukey test was used with P < 0.05. Digestibility analyses showed that glycerin addition, even at different levels in the diet, did not affect the feed intake nor the apparent variables of digestibility and fermentation of the total tract (P > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were found between treatments for glucose and insulin values (P > 0.05). In this study the addition of glycerin, even at the amount of 12%, did not affect the acceptability and digestibility of nutrients in the diet. These results are encouraging, yet more research is needed to clarify the appropriate levels of inclusion and/or substitution using this product.

Nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and milk yield in dairy cows fed a blend of essential oils and amylase

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate a blend of essential oils (EO) combined with amylase as an alternative to ionophores and its potential for reducing the use of antibiotics in the dairy industry. In experiment 1, 8 rumen-cannulated Holstein cows (576 ± 100 kg of body weight, 146 ± 35 d in milk, and 35.1 ± 4.0 kg/d of milk yield at the start of the experiment) were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with 21-d periods to determine the influence of feed additives on total apparent digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation, N utilization, microbial protein synthesis, blood glucose and urea concentrations, and milk yield and composition in dairy cows. Treatment sequences assigned to cows in each block included no feed additives (control; CON); monensin (MON) added at 13 mg/kg of diet dry matter (DM); a blend of EO supplemented at 44 mg/kg of diet DM; and EO treatment combined with α-amylase at 330 kilo novo units/kg of diet DM (EOA). Differences among treatments were studied using orthogonal contrasts as follows: CON versus feed additives (MON, EO, and EOA), MON versus EO and EOA, and EO versus EOA. No differences were detected in nutrient intake and digestibility in cows. In general, feed additives decreased ruminal NH3-N concentration of cows, notably when diet was supplemented with MON. Furthermore, feed additives increased ruminal concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and branched-chain fatty acids. Cows fed treatments containing EO and EOA exhibited lower pH, higher NH3-N, and a trend to greater total volatile fatty acid concentration in the ruminal fluid compared with cows fed MON. Treatments containing EO increased ruminal butyrate concentration compared with MON. No treatment × time interaction effect was observed on ruminal fermentation measurements. Cows fed diets supplemented with feed additives had greater efficiency of N transfer into milk (milk N:N intake), whereas cows fed EOA exhibited greater N transfer into milk than those fed EO. Treatments had no effect on milk yield and composition, but feed additives increased the milk yield efficiency (milk yield divided by dry matter intake), whereas treatments containing EO had similar milk yield efficiency compared with MON. For experiment 2, 30 multiparous Holstein cows (574 ± 68 kg of body weight, 152 ± 54 d in milk, and 30.9 ± 4.1 kg/d of milk yield at the start of the experiment) were enrolled to a randomized complete block design experiment. The MON, EO, and EOA treatments were randomly assigned to cows within blocks (n = 10), and feed additives were provided throughout a 9-wk period. No differences were found in nutrient intake and digestibility, but cows fed EOA tended to exhibit greater dry matter intake than those fed EO. Blood metabolites and milk production were not affected by treatments. However, cows fed MON or EOA had greater milk protein content than those cows fed treatments containing EO. Feeding EO with or without amylase had similar response to feeding MON in terms of feed intake and milk yield, with a small negative effect on milk protein yield when feeding EO alone. Feed additives increased the concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and branched-fatty acids in ruminal fluid, whereas treatments containing EO had greater ruminal butyrate and NH3-N concentrations. Therefore, either EO or EOA can replace MON in diets of dairy cows while maintaining performance.

Replacement of tifton hay with alfalfa hay in diets containing spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck) for dairy goats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing tifton hay (Cynodon spp.) with alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa) in spineless cactus-based (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck) diets for lactating goats on intake and digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, metabolic profile and production and composition of milk. The experimental diets were composed of increasing levels (0, 33, 67 and 100% of dry matter (DM)) of alfalfa hay to replace tifton hay. Twelve crossbred multiparous Saanen goats with an average initial body weight (BW) of 46.2±7.5kg and average milk production of 3.0kg/day were assigned to a triple Latin square experimental design (4×4), each having an average milk production of 3.0kg/day. The intake of DM, organic matter, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates was linearly increased (P<0.05) with increasing replacement levels. A quadratic effect was found for neutral detergent fiber intake, with the maximum intake estimated to be 788g/day for the 43.8% replacement level. There was no effect (P>0.05) of replacing tiffon hay with any level of alfalfa hay on total apparent digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, metabolic profile or milk production and composition. The total replacement of tifton hay with alfalfa hay can be used in the lactating goats diet without causing any problems in the dairy performance.

Digestibilidade dos nutrientes e energia digestível em dietas para potros em crescimento

This study was conducted with eight colts Brasileiro de Hipismo breed, fed with five diets isocaloric and isonitrogenous with the aim of determining by the method of total fecal collection: the total apparent digestibility of nutrients as well as the values of digestible energy by comparing them with values from prediction equations of digestible energy. The diet 1: was composed of concentrated with corn and cotton meal; the diet 2: concentrated with corn and soybean meal, diet 3: concentrated with corn and yeast, diet 4: concentrated with oat and cotton meal and the diet 5: concentrated with oat and soybean meal. All diets contained Coast Cross hay and wheat bran. The test of digestion (total collection of feces) was made in metabolism cages adapted for horses for a period of five days. The diet had the lowest value of digestibility of dry matter was the diet of concentrated of oats and cotton meal. It was evident that one can not dispense with the need of using bomb calorimetry and the total collection of feces in the determination of digestible energy, because the calculations there was no equivalence of values between the results obtained in the experiment with the results obtained by the prediction equations.

Grãos de oleaginosas na alimentação de novilhos zebuínos: consumo, digestibilidade e desempenho

Avaliaram-se o consumo, o desempenho e a digestibilidade de dietas contendo diferentes grãos de oleaginosas em novilhos zebuínos em confinamento. Utilizaram-se 30 novilhos zebuínos com peso vivo inicial de 388,0±37,5 kg, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As dietas foram formuladas com silagem de milho e quatro concentrados: um sem suplementação de lipídeos e três com a inclusão de grão de soja, caroço de algodão ou semente de linhaça. As rações, isonitrogenadas, apresentaram relação concentrado:volumoso 60:40 e foram fornecidas à vontade. Para determinação da digestibilidade aparente total, a produção fecal foi estimada utilizando-se fibra em detergente neutro indigestivel como indicador interno. O menor consumo de matéria seca (7,20 kg/dia) foi observado para a dieta contendo caroço de algodão, mas, entre as outras dietas, não houve diferenças nesta variável. O ganho médio diário foi menor quando se utilizou a dieta contendo caroço de algodão em relação à dieta sem lipídeo (0,93 vs. 1,16 kg/dia, respectivamente). No entanto, não houve diferença no ganho médio diário destas dietas em relação às demais. Houve redução da digestiblidade da fibra em detergente neutro na dieta contendo semente de linhaça. Adicionalmente, houve redução na digestibilidade dos carboidratos não-fibrosos nas dietas contendo caroço de algodão e semente de linhaça em relação à dieta com grão de soja, a qual não diferiu da dieta controle. A inclusão de caroço de algodão moído em dietas para bovinos em confinamento deve ser feita com cautela, pois pode provocar redução no consumo de matéria seca e no ganho médio diário. No entanto, a eficiência alimentar não é afetada pela adição de oleaginosas na dieta de bovinos de corte quando o nível máximo de extrato etéreo na matéria seca total da dieta não excede 6%.

The effects of Garlic Oil (Allium sativa), Turmeric Powder (Curcuma longa Linn) and Monensin on Total Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients in Baloochi Lambs

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of garlic oil (Allium sativa), turmeric powder (Curcuma longa Linn) and Monensin on Total apparent digestibility of nutrients in Baloochi lambs. The experiment was designed as a 4 x 4 Latin square using 4 ruminally baloochi lambs with 4 treatments in four 28&d periods. Treatments were control (no additive), garlic oil (0. 4 g/d), monensin (0. 2 g/d) and turmeric powder (20 g/d). Total apparent digestibility's (% of intake) of organic matter (OM), dry matter (DM), crud protein (CP), ether extract(EE), non fiber carbohydrate (NFC), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the total tract were not influenced by addition of either additives. Keywords—apparent digestibility, essential oil, garlic oil, monensin, turmeric

Parâmetros nutricionais de novilhas de corte alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar tratada com óxido de cálcio e diferentes níveis de concentrado

Avaliaram-se o consumo, as digestibilidades total e ruminal, a eficiência de síntese microbiana, o balanço de nitrogênio (BN) e os parâmetros ruminais de novilhas de corte em confinamento alimentadas com dietas à base de cana-de-açúcar tratada ou não com óxido de cálcio (CaO - 1%) e diferentes níveis concentrado (NC), em confinamento. Utilizaram-se seis animais (170 kg PC) distribuídos em quadrado latino 6 × 6 incompleto, em esquema fatorial 2 × 3 (cana-de-açúcar in natura tratada ou não com 1,0% CaO e três NC - 0,0; 0,5 e 1,0% PC). Não houve interação volumoso × CL para o consumo e a digestibilidade total dos nutrientes. Com exceção dos consumos de MS e FDN (em % PC) e das digestibilidades totais de EE e FDN, a cana-de-açúcar tratada com CaO prejudicou o consumo e a digestibilidade dos demais nutrientes. O consumo de FDN não foi influenciado pelo NC, mas o consumo dos demais nutrientes apresentou comportamento linear positivo de acordo com o NC. A digestibilidade total dos nutrientes aumentou linearmente com o NC. As digestibilidades ruminais dos nutrientes não foram afetadas pelo consumo de cana-de-açúcar tratada com CaO. O aumento do NC teve efeito linear positivo sobre as digestibilidades ruminais de MS, MO, PB, FDN. Não houve efeito do tratamento da cana-de-açúcar com CaO sobre o nitrogênio microbiano e a MS microbiana, que aumentaram de acordo com o NC da dieta. As menores retenções de nitrogênio foram observadas nos animais alimentados com cana-de-açúcar tratada com CaO. A cana-de-açúcar tratada com 1% CaO, fornecida após 24 horas de armazenamento, prejudica o consumo da maioria dos nutrientes. O balanço de nitrogênio e o nível de concentrado até 1,0% PC melhoram a ingestão de MS, a digestibilidade da maioria dos nutrientes e o balanço de nutrientes.

Resíduo proveniente do beneficiamento do feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) em rações para vacas em lactação: consumo, digestibilidade, produção e composição do leite e eficiência de alimentação

Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da substituição do farelo de soja pelo resíduo de feijão comum (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) em rações para vacas em lactação sobre as seguintes variáveis: consumos e digestibilidades totais aparentes dos nutrientes, produção e composição do leite e eficiência alimentar. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas da raça holandesa, distribuídas em três quadrados latinos 4 &lt;FONT FACE=Symbol&gt;´&lt;/FONT&gt; 4, balanceados. Os animais receberam rações completas ofertadas ad libitum, contendo 0; 13; 26 e 39% de resíduo de feijão cru no concentrado, em substituição ao farelo de soja. Os consumos de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF) e de nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) diminuíram linearmente com o aumento dos níveis de feijão no concentrado. Os consumos de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e de fibra em detergente neutro indigestível (FDNi) não foram afetados pelas dietas e os consumos de proteína bruta (PB) e extrato etéreo (EE) apresentaram comportamento cúbico. Os coeficientes de digestibilidades (CD) de MS, MO, EE e FDN não foram afetados pelas dietas, enquanto os de PB e CNF apresentaram comportamento linear decrescente e crescente, respectivamente. A produção e a composição do leite (gordura, proteína, lactose, extratos secos desengordurado e total), quando expressas em kg/dia, apresentaram redução linear para os níveis crescentes de substituição. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos para as eficiências de alimentação. A inclusão do resíduo de feijão às dietas ocasionou redução no desempenho dos animais.

Consumo, digestibilidade aparente total, produção e composição do leite em vacas no terço inicial da lactação alimentadas com níveis crescentes de proteína bruta no concentrado

Avaliaram-se os consumos, as digestibilidades aparentes dos nutrientes e a produção e composição do leite de vacas no terço inicial da lactação recebendo dietas contendo níveis crescentes (20; 23; 26 e 29% da matéria natural - MN) de proteína bruta (PB) no concentrado. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas em lactação da raça Holandesa, puras e mestiças (Holandês x Zebu), distribuídas em três quadrados latinos (4x4). Foram utilizados quatro períodos de 15 dias cada, considerando-se uma semana de adaptação. A dieta consistiu de 60% de silagem de milho como volumoso e 40% de concentrado. Os consumos de matéria seca (MS), PB, fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) aumentaram linearmente, enquanto o consumo de carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF) apresentou redução linear com os níveis de PB no concentrado. As digestibilidades da MS, matéria orgânica (MO), PB e FDN elevaram linearmente em função dos teores de PB. A produção de leite (PL) e PL corrigida para 3,5% de gordura, as quantidades de gordura e proteína e suas concentrações no leite não foram afetadas pelos níveis de PB no concentrado. No entanto, a PL corrigida para 3,5% de gordura de 29,08 kg/dia foi numericamente superior para o nível de 26% de PB na MN do concentrado. O concentrado contendo 26% de PB utilizado na proporção de 40%, que correspondeu a 15,5% na MS da dieta total, permitiu melhores respostas na produção de leite em vacas produzindo em média 28 kg/dia de leite no terço inicial da lactação e alimentadas com silagem de milho como volumoso.