Desempenho de cordeiros lactentes recebendo probióticos em comedouros privativos

The presente study was carried out to evaluate the performance of 40 lambs 7/8 Ile de France 1/8 Ideal (20 not castrated males and 20 females) raised with access to creep feeding, until get 17 kg of corporeal weight. The animals were divided in treatments, receiving isoproteic and isoenergetic diets, with diferent levels of probiotics (D1=0%, D2=0,8% e D3=12%). They were analysed in regart to born weight, weight at 30 days and weight gain at maternal independent (from 1th to 4th weeks) and maternal independent (from 5th to 8th week), the age of wean and daily weight gain. The average intake of dry matter by the lambs at D1, D2 and D3 was 0,27, 0,26 and 0,27 kg/day, respectively. On maternal dependent phase, there was no interaction and differences between diet and sex in the born weight (3.30 kg), weight at 30 days of age (11.79 kg) and in the average daily weight gain (0.28 kg). On maternal independent phase, there were no differences in the age of weam (53 days) and daily weight gain (0,26 kg) between diet and sex. It was concluded that probiotics inclusion in the diet of the suckling lambs (males not castrated and females) didn't improve their performance.

Sheep and cattle grazing alternately: Nematode parasitism and pasture decontamination

Three grazing management systems were compared to examine pasture decontamination of gastrointestinal nematode parasites (GIN) of sheep (Ovies aries) and cattle (Bos taurus). They consisted of sheep and cattle grazing paddocks alternately for 32, 96 or 192 days over 2 years. Pastureland (8.43 ha) was subdivided into six areas of eight paddocks each to produce an eight-paddock rotational grazing system. Every paddock was grazed for 4 days and then rested for 28 days. Sixty-six Ile de France ewes and 12 steers were randomly divided into three groups (22 sheep and four cattle per group). Each grazing system included a cattle area and a sheep area. Sheep and cattle interchanged areas every 32 days in system 1 (Group 1), every 96 days in system 2 (Group 2) and every 192 days in system 3 (Group 3). Fecal examination and larvae counting on pasture were performed every 32 days. During summer, winter and spring 2005, tracer lambs free of nematode infection were introduced into each sheep group and later sacrificed for quantification and identification of GIN species. All cattle were sacrificed for the same purpose. The main parasites found in tracer lambs were Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, and in cattle, Haemonchus similis, Cooperia punctata and Oesophagostomum radiatum. Pasture contamination by sheep-infective GIN larvae was considerably reduced after 96 or 192 days of cattle grazing. Cross-infections between sheep and cattle GIN were not significant, which suggested that integrated grazing using such animals could be used for pasture decontamination. However, as effective anthelmintics were not available, decontamination was not sufficient for proper prophylaxis of GIN infections in Ile de France sheep, which are quite susceptible to such parasites. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rendimento dos não-componentes da carcaça de cordeiros de diferentes genótipos

Non-carcass components percentages of lambs terminated in confinement, fed with diet containing 40:60 forage:concentrate ratio were influenced by lambs' breed (Morada Nova and 1/2 Somális Brasileira 1/2 Morada Nova), except for the liver, without difference between pure and crossbred animals, with average values of 2.29% and 0.35%, respectively. Crossbred lambs had higher percentages of skin (8.96%), head plus foot (10.68%), heart (0.88%), and kidney (0.93%) than purebred lambs (7.15%, 9.69%, 0.56% and 0.35%, respectively).

Comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros em terminação a pasto

The objective of this study was to evaluate intake behavior of lambs in pasture systems: (1) lambs kept with their dams in ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) without supplementation; (2) lambs kept with their dams in the same pasture but supplemented in creep feeding; (3) lambs kept with their dams in the same pasture but supplemented in creep grazing with white clover. Three evaluations of intake behavior were performed to check the activities carried out by animals (grazing, rumination, suckling and other activities). Grazing, rumination and other activities times were different (p < 0.05) for non-supplemented lambs. For these lambs, grazing and rumination times were longer than other activities time compared to other systems. Creep feeding reduced grazing time (p < 0.05), probably due to easy access and quality of concentrate. Lambs in creep grazing had reduced (p < 0.05) rumination time. Bite mass in creep grazing was higher (p < 0.05), probably due to easy harvesting of leaves by lambs. It was concluded that the production system affects feeding strategy of lambs and the preference for legumes suggests the use of creep grazing for finishing lambs.

Características de carcaça de cordeiros alimentados com grãos e subprodutos da canola

The aim of this work was to evaluate the introduction of 8% grains and by-products (meal or cake) of canola in the diets of lambs. To evaluate quantitative carcass characteristics, 24 Santa Ines lambs were used in a completely randomized design. Diets with averages of 15.4% of CP in DM and 80.2% of TDN were composed for 40% Tifton hay and 60% concentrate based on corn grain, soybean meal, whole grain canola, canola meal, canola cake and mineral mixture. The use of whole grains and by-products of canola in the diet of lambs finished in feedlot did not influence (p > 0.05) quantitative carcass characteristics. For cut dressing in relation to the CCW, no effect was observed for the analyzed variables among treatments. It was concluded that the introduction of grains and by-products of canola allow for satisfactory results, and could be recommended in the formulations of lamb diets.

Avaliação da transferência de imunidade passiva em cordeiros com até 30 dias de idade

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G, TP and the γ globulin electrophoretic fraction, as well as the enzymatic activities of GGT and ALP. This was done in order to explore the possibility of using changes in activities of these enzymes as indirect indicators of adequate humoral immunity and/ or failure of immune passive transfer in lambs. Pearson correlation was performed between variable of four groups of age during the first 30 days of life. Blood samples (191) from lambs from 21 different farms in Araçatuba region- São Paulo. The following tests were perfomed: radial immunodiffusion, spectrophotometry and electrophoresis to stain the amount of IgG, TP and γ globulin, respectively. GGT and ALP values were determinate using commercial kits. There was a statistically significant correlation between ALP and GGT. The same correlation was observed from TP, IgG and GGT. A positive γ globulin correlation was found between GGT, IgG and TP. ALP activity cannot be used as an indicator of immune passive transfer.

Desempenho de cordeiras Bergamácia submetidas a dois sistemas de desmama

This study used 26 Bergamasca ewe lambs weaned at 60 days of age and separated into 2 groups - Artificial suckling: 10 ewes separated from their dams 48 hours after delivery and fed with cow's milk; Controlled suckling: 16 ewe lambs remained with their dams at pasture during the day and then separated at night, returning after morning milking. Following weaning, both groups were confined until they reached 38.6 kg average weight, and then separated into two types of treatment: Pasture rearing: 5 ewes from artificial suckling + 8 ewes from controlled suckling; Confined rearing: 5 ewes from artificial suckling + 8 ewes from controlled suckling. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomized. Average daily milk production for artificial suckling (0.318 kg) was higher than controlled suckling (0.256 kg). The economic return of the controlled suckling treatment was 8.13% higher than for artificial suckling. With regard to the pasture rearing and confined rearing treatment systems, there was no estrus for pasture rearing during experimental period. There was no difference between the weaning systems with regard to eggs per gram. The weaning system influenced the milk production of primiparous females.

Características sensoriais da carne de cordeiro maturada e injetada com cloreto de cálcio: Sensory characteristics of lamb meat ageing and injected with calcium chloride

Sensory characteristics of Morada Nova lambs meat (muscles Biceps femoris, Longissimus and Triceps brachii) submitted to effects of ageing and injection of calcium chloride were studied. The lambs were slaughtered at 25 kg of body weight. After rigor mortis, muscles were removed and submitted to treatments. The variance analysis indicated that ageing and calcium chloride didn't influence the attributes flavor (6.71) and tenderness (7.13) of meats from Biceps femoris. The interaction among the factors wasn't significant for tenderness, however it was significant for flavor. Ageing didn't affect colour (7.08), flavor (7.42), tenderness (7.83) and global impression (7.58) of meats from Longissimus without calcium chloride, and meats with calcium chloride also didn't affect. Ageing and calcium chloride factor didn't influence the attributes flavor and tenderness of meats from Triceps brachii. The interaction among the factors wasn't significant for attributes flavor and tenderness. The sensory quality of Morada Nova lambs meat, was shown similar with relationship to evaluated attributes when it was submitted to ageing and injection with calcium chloride.

Tissue composition and muscularity of lamb legs fed with sunflower seeds and vitamin E

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tissue composition and carcass muscularity of 32 legs of Ile de France lambs fed with diets containing sunflower seeds and vitamin E, with mean body weight of 15 kg, lodged in individual pens at 15 kg and slaughtered at 32 kg of body weight. The treatments influenced (P<0,05) leg weight, femur length and muscle: bone ratio, being the highest values (2,13 kg, 16,19 cm and 7,38, respectively) in lambs that received diet without sunflower seeds and vitamin E. The other variables were not affected (P>0,05) by the treatments. The interaction of the sunflower and vitamin E was positive for bone total weights and intramuscular fat.

Parâmetros qualitativos da carne de cordeiros submetidos aos modelos de produção orgânico e convencional

This work aimed to evaluate qualitative parameters of meat, sensorial analysis, ivermecin residue and heavy metals from 48 Ile de France lambs submitted to organic and conventional production models which were slaughtered at 32 kg of body weight. Lamb meat from organic model had larger yellowness w to compawithto conventional mo to 45 minutes after the slaught anbut L * and a* parameters were not affeced;, however, not eady the color of lamb meat 24 hours after the slaugter, not influenced by treatments. There was not effect of treatments in pH and temperatureat 45 minutes and 24 hours after the slaughter, in water holding capacity and in shear force, while the cooking losses were influenced by treatments. In the meat of lambs submitted to organic model, the subjective tenderness and the global acceptance were lower when compared to convencional model. Treatments didn't influence arsenic, cadmium and lead meat tenor. Inexistence of ivermectin was verified in meat from organic and conventional production models.

Efeito materno sobre a curva de crescimento de ovinos Santa Inês por meio de modelos de regressão aleatória

Data set of 17.767 weight records of 4.210 Santa Inês lambs were used aiming to evaluate the importance of the inclusion of the maternal effect in the model to estimate components of (Co) variance and resulting genetic parameters for the growth curve through random regression models. The fixed and random regressions were fitted using Legendre Polynomials of order three, being fit four models that differed in relation to the inclusion of the additive genetic and permanent environmental maternal effects. Considerable increase was observed in Log L and decrease in the criteria AIC and BIC when the maternal effect was included (genetic or permanent environmental), evidencing its importance. The maternal genetic effect explained larger proportion of the phenotypic variance than the maternal permanent environmental along the growth curve. The direct additive genetic variance was inflated by maternal effect, when this last one was not considered in the analysis model, reflecting the same behavior in the heritabilities. The maternal permanent environmental effect contributed to maternal variance, as well as, it inflated maternal genetic variance, when it was not considered in the model. Similar behavior was verified with maternal heritability. The correlation estimated for the four models hardly differed in function of maternal effect. The maternal effect should be considered in the genetic studies of the growth curve of Santa Inês sheep.

Composição mineral da carcaça e dos cortes da carcaça de ovinos jovens e adultos

Aiming to evaluate the mineral composition (iron, calcium and sodium) of the carcass and carcass cuts of meat from different ovine categories, 18 1/2 Ile de France 1/2 Polwarth sheeps (6 uncastrated lambs, 6 discarded ewes and 6 discarded wethers) were used. Animals were in grazing system based on Tifton - 85 pastures and were supplemented with concentrate. Lambs were slaughtered at 32 kg of live weight, at around 5 months of age. Ewes and wethers were slaughtered with 55 kg and 60 months of age. The iron values were differents between categories for those valued cuts muscles, with higher average to legs muscles from adults ovine of 3.86 mg/100g with regard to lambs of 1.91 mg/100g, respectively. The iron values of the muscles from half carcass didn't differ for that animal category, with 3.38 mg/100g average. The calcium values in muscles from half carcass and leg cut were higher to wethers (9.84 e 7.35 mg/100g), intermediaries to ewes (6.28 e 6.54 mg/100g) and smallers values to lambs (5.30 e 4.22 mg/100g). There wasn't differences for sodium values to valued categories and muscles, with values around 56.75 mg/100g. In conclusion, the sodium values are similar between animals categories and from differents carcass muscles and that the iron and calcium values present differences.

Supplementation of diets for Santa Ines sheep with organic and inorganic zinc sources

This research was conducted with objective to evaluate the effect of different zinc (Zn) sources and doses in the diet for Santa Ines sheep. Forty lambs at weaning, with 18.4 kg of body weight were supplemented with three different sources of zinc (zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc amino acid and zinc proteinate) and three doses of zinc (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg DM) added to the basal diet. At every 28 days, animals were weighted and blood samples were collected for analyses of zinc (Zn), alkaline phosphatase and immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM). At the end of experiment, liver samples were collected for determination of the hepatic zinc levels. Zinc was analyzed with atomic absorption spectrophotometer, while phosphatase alkaline and immunoglobulins G and M were analyzed using Laborlab and Bioclin kits, respectively. There was no effect of diets on phosphatase alkaline levels and hepatic zinc, but there was difference in the plasmatic zinc levels and IgG and IgM levels. Based on the accumulation of hepatic zinc, the estimate of the zinc bioavailability, through the regression equation, showed that supplementation with organic and inorganic sources of zinc did not differ in the diet of Santa Ines sheep. © 2012 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia.

Haemonchus contortus: A multiple-resistant Brazilian isolate and the costs for its characterization and maintenance for research use

The aim of this work was to determine the resistance level of Haemonchus contortus isolated from the Santa Inês flock of the Embrapa (Brazilian government's Agricultural Research Company), Southeast Livestock Unit (CPPSE), as well as to determine costs of characterizing and maintaining this isolate in host donors. Forty-two male Santa Inês lambs were experimentally infected with 4000 H. contortus infective larvae of the field isolate of CPPSE, called Embrapa2010, and divided into six treatment groups, which received triclorfon, albendazol plus cobalt sulfate, ivermectin, moxidectin, closantel and levamisole phosphate, as well as a negative control group (water). Egg per gram (EPG) counts were performed at 0, 3, 7, 10 and 14. days post treatment when the animals were slaughtered for parasite count. The data were analyzed using the RESO statistical program, considering anthelmintic resistance under 95% of efficacy. EPG and worm count presented a linear and significant relation with 94% determination coefficient. The susceptibility results obtained by RESO through both criteria (EPG and worm count) were equal, except for closantel, showing that the isolate Embrapa2010 is resistant to benzimidazoles, macrocyclic lactones and imidazothiazoles. The need of a control group did not appear to be essential since the result for susceptibility in the analyses with or without this group was the same. Suppression in egg production after treatment did not occur in the ivermectin and moxidectin groups. In the control group, the establishment percentage was just 12.5 because of the low number of third-stage larvae, resistance (innate and infection immunity) of the animals studied plus good nutrition. Drug classes presented similar efficacy between adults and immature stages. The costs for isolate characterization were calculated for 42 animals during 60. days. The total cost based on local market rates was approximately US$ 8000. The precise identification of Brazilian isolates and their establishment in host donors would be useful for laboratorial anthelmintic resistance diagnoses through in vitro tests, which has an annual cost of approximately US$ 2500 for maintenance in host donors. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Desempenho e características de carcaça de cordeiros alimentados com fontes de carboidratos associadas ao óleo de girassol

This work was carried out with the objective to evaluate the effect of different carbohydrate sources associated with sunflower oil on performance, carcass characteristics and cuts yields of feedlot sheep. Twenty four lambs were assigned to a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two sources of neutral detergent soluble carbohydrate, starch or neutral detergent soluble fiber, with and without the inclusion of 4.2% sunflower oil. The treatments consisted of diets containing high content of soluble fiber (17.14% DM) without adding oil, high in soluble fiber (16.35% DM) with inclusion of 4.2% sunflower oil, high starch (30.14% DM) without adding oil and high starch (28.21% DM) with addition of 4.2% of sunflower oil. The animals were feedlot with average initial of 17.7 kg and when reached 35 kg body weight were slaughtered. The different sources of carbohydrate and oil inclusion in the diet not influence the days on feedlot in the dry matter intake and average daily weight gain, but higher feed conversion was observed for the diet with a high percentage of neutral detergent soluble fiber compared to diet high in starch. The carcass weights and yields as well as the commercial cuts were not affected by diets. The performance and quantitative characteristics and carcass cuts of lamb are not affected by different carbohydrate sources and their association with 4.2% sunflower oil.