Threonine-to-lysine ratio in laying hens: physiological parameters and organ weight

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of threonine:digestible lysine ratio in the diet on the physiological variablesand weight of organs of light laying hens. Two hundred and ten 47 week-old Dekalb White laying henswere distributed in a completely randomized design, with five levels of threonine (0.507; 0.552; 0.597; 0.642 and 0.677%) and seven replicates of six birds each. The experimental period was 10 weeks, totaling 62 days and more eight days for the animals to adapt. The physiological parameters of cloacal temperature (CT), respiratory rate (RR) and average surface temperature (AST) were recorded weekly (7:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 7:00 pm); after solid and water fasting,the birds were slaughtered to assess the absolute weight of the organs. The time of day influenced (p < 0.05) the physiological parameters RR and AST, and CT showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of increasing levels of digestible threonine. The total weight of the pancreas, proventriculus and lung showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of the increase in the levels of digestible threonine. The respiratory rate is affected by the levels of threoninein the diet. The 0.687% level promoted hypertrophy of the pancreas, proventriculus and lung, promoting more significant activity of these organs.(AU)

Magnesium in the water of Japanese quails kept under comfort zone and under thermal stress / Magnésio na água de codornas japonesas mantidas em zona de conforto e sob estresse térmico

The objective was to evaluate the increasing levels of magnesium in the water supplied to laying quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), kept in climatic chambers under thermoneutral temperature and thermal stress, on their performance and morphometry of their organs. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized design, 2x4 factorial arrangement, 2 temperatures (24 and 32 ºC) and 4 levels of magnesium in the water (50, 150, 250 and 350 mg L-1), with six replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability level. The magnesium levels in the water did not affect (P > 0.05) the production performance and morphometry of the organs, with less water consumption at the magnesium level of 150 mg L-1, and birds kept at 32 °C had a reduction in feed consumption and feed conversion, but without affecting organ morphometry. Japanese quails in the production phase can consume water with magnesium levels up to 350 mg L-1 without having their production performance and morphometry of organs affected and raised in an environment with temperatures of up to 32 °C.(AU)

O objetivo foi avaliar os níveis crescentes de magnésio na água fornecida a codornas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) em postura, mantidas em câmaras climáticas sob temperatura termoneutra e estresse térmico, sobre o desempenho e morfometria dos órgãos das aves. As aves foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, arranjo fatorial 2x4, 2 temperaturas (24 e 32 ºC) e 4 níveis de magnésio na água (50, 150, 250 e 350 mg L-1), com seis repetições e oito aves por unidade experimental e os dados submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Os níveis de magnésio na água não afetaram (P > 0,05) o desempenho produtivo e a morfometria dos órgãos, com menor consumo de água ao nível de 150 mg L-1 de magnésio e, as aves mantidas a 32 °C tiveram uma redução no consumo de ração e conversão alimentar, mas sem afetar a morfometria dos órgãos. Codornas japonesas em fase de produção podem consumir água com níveis de magnésio de até 350 mg L-1 sem ter o desempenho produtivo e a morfometria dos órgãos afetados e criados em ambiente com temperatura de até 32 °C.(AU)

Productive, physiological and behavioral sheep profiles housed on facilities with different roofs in the Amazon region

The Brazilian Amazon region is characterized by high rainfall, with high temperatures and relative humidity, where sheep are raised in extensive and semi-intensive systems and some regions. This work aimed to evaluate the climatic indices of sheepfolds in the Amazon region, the productive performance, and physiological variables of Santa Inês sheep confined in sheepfolds with fiber cement (FC) and polyvinyl chloride (PC) tiles. Twenty castrated males of Santa Inês sheep were used, with a mean age of 1.5±0.2 years old and a live weight of 23±2.1 kg. The statistical design used was a completely randomized design with two roofs (FC and PC). The temperature, relative humidity of the air, temperature index of the black globe, and thermal radiation load was above the comfort zone for sheep, being higher (P < 0.05) in the sheepfold with PVC tile than FC, which contributed to the increase in respiratory rate, as a way to maintain the animals' homeotherm. Furthermore, sheep installed in the sheepfold with FC tile showed the highest weight gain, spent more time feeding, increased feeding efficiency, dry matter and fiber intake, reducing daily water intake.

Salinity-water levels on productive performance, physiological and behavioral responses of ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês crossbred sheep / Níveis de salinidade da água no desempenho produtivo, respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de ovelhas mestiças ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of four water salinity levels on productive performance, physiological and behavioral responses of confined sheep. Thus, 24 crossbred sheep, ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês were evaluated while receiving ration and water ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized, composed of four treatments (1.5; 3.0; 6.0 and 9.0 dSm-¹) and six replicates. The water supply with salinity of up to 9.0 dSm-¹ did not affect (P > 0.05) the physiological indexes, performance, or ingestive behavior of the animals, which were able to maintain normal physiological conditions even at times when the thermal comfort indexes were above the ideal. For voluntary water consumption, it was observed that there was a significant difference between treatments (P < 0.05), where animals consuming water with a conductivity of 1.5; 3.0 dSm-¹ had lower consumption than those who received six dSm-¹. The supply of water with a salinity of up to 9.0 dSm-1 did not affect the performance or the ingestive behavior of the animals, so waters with this salinity can be a valid alternative for crossbred sheep in the semi-arid region, as long as it is used seasonally and strategically.

O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar a influência de quatro níveis de salinidade da água no desempenho produtivo, respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de ovinos confinados. Assim, foram avaliados 24 ovinos mestiços, ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês, recebendo ração e água ad libitum. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, composto por quatro tratamentos (1,5; 3,0; 6,0 e 9,0 dSm-¹) e seis repetições. O fornecimento de água com salinidade de até 9,0 dSm-1 não afetou (P > 0,05) os índices fisiológicos, desempenho ou comportamento ingestivo dos animais, que foram capazes de manter as condições fisiológicas normais mesmo nos momentos em que os índices de conforto térmico foram acima do ideal. Para o consumo voluntário de água, observou-se que houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos (P < 0,05), onde os animais consumiram água com condutividade de 1,5; 3,0 dSm-¹ tiveram consumo menor do que aqueles que receberam seis dSm-¹. O fornecimento de água com salinidade de até 9,0 dSm-¹ não afetou o desempenho ou o comportamento ingestivo dos animais, portanto águas com essa salinidade podem ser uma alternativa válida para ovinos mestiços no semi-árido, desde que é usado sazonalmente e estrategicamente.

Physiological variables and egg quality from quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) that received water with increasing levels of NaCl and under different temperatures / Variáveis fisiológicas e qualidade de ovos de codorna (Coturnix coturnix japonica) que receberam água com teores crescentes de NaCl e sob diferentes temperaturas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of water salinity and ambient temperature on the physiological variables and the quality of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the laying phase. The quails received water with increasing levels of salinity (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1) and were kept in climatic chambers under two different temperatures (24ºC and 32ºC). The design used was completely randomised, with a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement (temperatures and salinity levels), with six replicates of eight birds each. Data were submitted for analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5%. There was no influence (P > 0.05) of water salinity levels on the physiological variables nor on the quality of the birds' eggs. At 32oC there was an increase (P < 0.05) in respiratory rate, cloacal and body surface temperature of the birds, and a slight reduction (P < 0.05) in the weight of eggs, shells, and percentage of shell. For laying quails, water with salinity levels of up to 6.0 dSm-1 can be used and the birds can be raised in an environment with temperatures up to 32ºC.(AU)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência da salinidade da água e da temperatura ambiente nas variáveis fisiológicas e na qualidade dos ovos de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) na fase de postura, recebendo água com níveis crescentes de salinidade (1,5, 3,0 , 4,5 e 6,0 dS m-1), e mantidos em câmaras climáticas sob duas temperaturas diferentes (24 e 32ºC). O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com arranjo fatorial 2x4 (temperaturas e níveis de salinidade), com seis repetições de oito aves cada. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5%. Não houve influência (P > 0,05) dos níveis de salinidade da água nas variáveis fisiológicas e na qualidade dos ovos das aves. A 32ºC houve um aumento (P < 0,05) na frequência respiratória, temperatura cloacal e da superfície corporal das aves e uma pequena redução (P < 0,05) no peso dos ovos, cascas e porcentagem da casca. Para codornas em postura pode-se utilizar água com salinidade de até 6,0 dSm-1, podendo as aves ser criadas em ambiente com temperatura de até 32ºC.(AU)

Salinity-water levels on productive performance, physiological and behavioral responses of ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês crossbred sheep / Níveis de salinidade da água no desempenho produtivo, respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de ovelhas mestiças ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of four water salinity levels on productive performance, physiological and behavioral responses of confined sheep. Thus, 24 crossbred sheep, ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês were evaluated while receiving ration and water ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized, composed of four treatments (1.5; 3.0; 6.0 and 9.0 dSm-¹) and six replicates. The water supply with salinity of up to 9.0 dSm-¹ did not affect (P > 0.05) the physiological indexes, performance, or ingestive behavior of the animals, which were able to maintain normal physiological conditions even at times when the thermal comfort indexes were above the ideal. For voluntary water consumption, it was observed that there was a significant difference between treatments (P < 0.05), where animals consuming water with a conductivity of 1.5; 3.0 dSm-¹ had lower consumption than those who received six dSm-¹. The supply of water with a salinity of up to 9.0 dSm-1 did not affect the performance or the ingestive behavior of the animals, so waters with this salinity can be a valid alternative for crossbred sheep in the semi-arid region, as long as it is used seasonally and strategically.(AU)

O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar a influência de quatro níveis de salinidade da água no desempenho produtivo, respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de ovinos confinados. Assim, foram avaliados 24 ovinos mestiços, ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês, recebendo ração e água ad libitum. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, composto por quatro tratamentos (1,5; 3,0; 6,0 e 9,0 dSm-¹) e seis repetições. O fornecimento de água com salinidade de até 9,0 dSm-1 não afetou (P > 0,05) os índices fisiológicos, desempenho ou comportamento ingestivo dos animais, que foram capazes de manter as condições fisiológicas normais mesmo nos momentos em que os índices de conforto térmico foram acima do ideal. Para o consumo voluntário de água, observou-se que houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos (P < 0,05), onde os animais consumiram água com condutividade de 1,5; 3,0 dSm-¹ tiveram consumo menor do que aqueles que receberam seis dSm-¹. O fornecimento de água com salinidade de até 9,0 dSm-¹ não afetou o desempenho ou o comportamento ingestivo dos animais, portanto águas com essa salinidade podem ser uma alternativa válida para ovinos mestiços no semi-árido, desde que é usado sazonalmente e estrategicamente.(AU)

Ingestive behavior of lambs fed with guava agro-industrial waste ( Psidium guajava ) / Comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros alimentados com resíduo agroindustrial de goiaba (Psidium guajava)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of guava agro-industrial waste (GAW) on the ingestive behavior of Santa Inês lambs. Forty non-castrated sheep of the Santa Inês breed were used, at an initial weight of 21.33 ± 2.62 kg, and at the age of 120 days, distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and fed with increasing GAW levels (0.0, 7.5, 15.0, 22.5 and 30.0%). The average daily gain (ADG) showed orthogonal contrast (P <0.05), in which the animals that ingested the control diet had lower performances. The animals with GAW added to the diet obtained more significant weight gains reflected by a better feed conversion. Among the variables, idleness, feeding, and total chewing time had a significant effect (P<0.05); animals spent more time idle at the 30.0% inclusion level and less time in the control group. However, the means of the 7.5, 15.0, and 22.5% GAW inclusion levels were statistically similar to the control group and the 30.0% level. There was a significant effect (P<0.05) on feed efficiency, with the lowest values being presented for the control group and the highest values at the 30% inclusion level of GAW. The 30.0% GAW feed for lambs in confinement reduces feed time, and total chewing prolongs idleness and increases feed efficiency without compromising dry matter intake, neutral detergent fiber intake, and ADG.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da inclusão de níveis crescentes de resíduo agroindustrial de goiabeira (RAG) no comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Santa Inês. Foram utilizados 40 cordeiros não castradas da raça Santa Inês, com peso inicial de 21,33 ± 2,62 kg e idade de 120 dias, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 5 tratamentos e alimentados com níveis crescentes de GAW (0,0; 7,5, 15,0, 22,5 e 30,0%). O ganho médio diário (GMD) apresentou contraste ortogonal (P <0,05), no qual os animais que ingeriram a dieta controle tiveram desempenho inferior. Os animais com GAW adicionado à dieta obtiveram maiores ganhos de peso refletidos em uma melhor conversão alimentar. Entre as variáveis, ociosidade, alimentação e tempo total de mastigação tiveram efeito significativo (P <0,05); os animais passaram mais tempo ociosos no nível de inclusão de 30,0% e menos tempo no grupo controle. No entanto, as médias dos níveis de inclusão de 7,5, 15,0 e 22,5% no GAW foram estatisticamente semelhantes às do grupo controle e ao nível de 30,0%. Houve efeito significativo (P <0,05) na eficiência alimentar, com os menores valores sendo apresentados para o grupo controle e os maiores valores no nível de inclusão de 30% do GAW. A alimentação de 30,0% GAW para cordeiros em confinamento reduz o tempo de alimentação e mastigação total, prolonga a ociosidade e aumenta a eficiência alimentar sem comprometer o consumo de matéria seca e de fibra em detergente neutron e GMD.(AU)

Ingestive behavior of lambs fed with guava agro-industrial waste ( Psidium guajava )

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of guava agro-industrial waste (GAW) on the ingestive behavior of Santa Inês lambs. Forty non-castrated sheep of the Santa Inês breed were used, at an initial weight of 21.33 ± 2.62 kg, and at the age of 120 days, distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and fed with increasing GAW levels (0.0, 7.5, 15.0, 22.5 and 30.0%). The average daily gain (ADG) showed orthogonal contrast (P 0.05), in which the animals that ingested the control diet had lower performances. The animals with GAW added to the diet obtained more significant weight gains reflected by a better feed conversion. Among the variables, idleness, feeding, and total chewing time had a significant effect (P 0.05); animals spent more time idle at the 30.0% inclusion level and less time in the control group. However, the means of the 7.5, 15.0, and 22.5% GAW inclusion levels were statistically similar to the control group and the 30.0% level. There was a significant effect (P 0.05) on feed efficiency, with the lowest values being presented for the control group and the highest values at the 30% inclusion level of GAW. The 30.0% GAW feed for lambs in confinement reduces feed time, and total chewing prolongs idleness and increases feed efficiency without compromising dry matter intake, neutral detergent fiber intake, and ADG.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da inclusão de níveis crescentes de resíduo agroindustrial de goiabeira (RAG) no comportamento ingestivo de cordeiros Santa Inês. Foram utilizados 40 cordeiros não castradas da raça Santa Inês, com peso inicial de 21,33 ± 2,62 kg e idade de 120 dias, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 5 tratamentos e alimentados com níveis crescentes de GAW (0,0; 7,5, 15,0, 22,5 e 30,0%). O ganho médio diário (GMD) apresentou contraste ortogonal (P 0,05), no qual os animais que ingeriram a dieta controle tiveram desempenho inferior. Os animais com GAW adicionado à dieta obtiveram maiores ganhos de peso refletidos em uma melhor conversão alimentar. Entre as variáveis, ociosidade, alimentação e tempo total de mastigação tiveram efeito significativo (P 0,05); os animais passaram mais tempo ociosos no nível de inclusão de 30,0% e menos tempo no grupo controle. No entanto, as médias dos níveis de inclusão de 7,5, 15,0 e 22,5% no GAW foram estatisticamente semelhantes às do grupo controle e ao nível de 30,0%. Houve efeito significativo (P 0,05) na eficiência alimentar, com os menores valores sendo apresentados para o grupo controle e os maiores valores no nível de inclusão de 30% do GAW. A alimentação de 30,0% GAW para cordeiros em confinamento reduz o tempo de alimentação e mastigação total, prolonga a ociosidade e aumenta a eficiência alimentar sem comprometer o consumo de matéria seca e de fibra em detergente neutron e GMD.

Diet energy levels and temperature affect the size of the fat milk globule in dairy goats

The study aimed to verify the effect of diet and environmental temperature on traits of milk fat globules (MFG) of goats. The experiment was conducted in climatic chambers, where we housed 12 Alpine goats with a mean age of 4.02±1.78 years, live weight of 41.8±4.59 kg, and average milk production of 2.16±0.59 kg. The animals were subjected to two different controlled temperatures, T1 = 26 ℃ (thermoneutral) and T2 = 34 ℃ (stress), and diets with different energy levels (low, medium, and high). A milk sample of each animal was collected at 6.00 h, coinciding with milking. The effect of temperature and diet was verified on MFG. The highest MFG was observed at 26 ℃ and medium energy diet. The MFG reached lower values with the diet of medium energy and high temperature (34 ℃). On average, 35% of MFG is smaller than 2 µm, 50% is medium in size (2-5 µm), and 15% is large (>5 µm), with a maximum size of 9.57 µm. The higher prevalence of medium-sized MFG is indicative of excellent milk digestibility. The increase in dietary energy levels promoted both the fat and diameter of fat globules. The higher fat and the larger globules would positively affect the cheese-making aptitude and make it suitable for production of hard cheeses. The increase in dietary energy levels for goats promotes an increase in the diameter of fat globules and milk fat (%), essential traits to the cheese industry.

Effects of replacing Tifton-85 hay by cactus pear (Opuntia stricta Haw) on the carcass traits and meat quality of crossbred Santa Inês lambs / Efeitos da substituição do feno de Tifton-85 por palma forrageira (Opuntia stricta Haw) nas características de carcaça e qualidade da carne de cordeiros mestiços Santa Inês

The objective of this study was to evaluate the carcass traits of crossbred Santa Inês lambs fed with increasing levels (0, 300, 600, and 900 g kg-1 on a dry matter basis) of cactus pear cv Mexican elephant ear (Opuntia stricta Haw) as a replacement for Tifton-85 hay. Forty-eight male lambs (noncastrated), averaging 21.0 ± 2.93 kg body weight (BW) at the beginning of the study, were used in this trial. Replacement levels of Tifton hay by cactus pear affected the hot carcass and cold carcass weights and the carcass compactness index linearly (P < 0.05), but did not influence the yield of hot carcass and cold carcass, the loin eye area, conformation, finishing, and subcutaneous fat thickness, the yield of commercial cuts and tissue composition of the leg (P > 0.05). The averages of tissue components yields were: muscle 64.94%, bone 16.92%, fat 14.92%, and other tissues 2.71%. There was also no effect (P>0.05) of treatments on other measurements in Longissimus dorsi. However, there was an increasing linear effect on ether extract content (P P<0.05). ). It can be concluded that the Mexican Elephant Ear cactus pear can be used to feed finishing lambs, replacing up to 900 g kg-1 of the dry matter of the roughage, with a consequent increase in carcass weight, loin, shoulder, and leg, as well as, in the percentage of ether extract of the meat. However, it does not alter the other carcass traits and physical-chemical characteristics of the meat.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características de carcaça de ovinos mestiços Santa Inês alimentados com níveis crescentes (0, 300, 600 e 900 g kg-1 na matéria seca) de palma forrageira cv. Orelha de elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta Haw) como substituto para o feno de Tifton-85. Quarenta e oito cordeiros machos (não castrados), com média de 21,0 ± 2,93 kg de peso corporal (PC) no início do estudo, foram usados neste ensaio. Os níveis de substituição do feno de Tifton pela palma forrageira afetaram os pesos da carcaça quente e fria e o índice de compacidade da carcaça linearmente, mas não influenciaram o rendimento da carcaça quente e da carcaça fria, área de olho de lombo, conformação, acabamento, espessura de gordura subcutânea, rendimento dos cortes comerciais e composição do tecido da perna. As médias de rendimentos dos componentes do tecido foram: músculo 64,94%, osso 16,92%, gordura 14,92% e outros tecidos 2,71%. Também não houve efeito dos tratamentos nas outras medições no Longissimus dorsi. No entanto, houve um efeito linear crescente no teor de extrato etéreo. Pode-se concluir que a palma forrageira orelha de elefante mexicana pode ser utilizada na alimentação de cordeiros em fase de terminação, substituindo até 90% da matéria seca do volumoso, com consequente aumento do peso de carcaça, lombo, paleta e perna, bem como, na porcentagem de extrato etéreo da carne. No entanto, não altera as demais características de carcaça e as características físico-químicas da carne.(AU)

Predicting the carcass characteristics of Morada Nova lambs using biometric measurements

The objective of this work was to use biometric measurements to predict carcass characteristics of lambs of the Morada Nova breed. We used 48 lambs with mean initial body weight (BW) of 15.0±0.04 kg and slaughter body weight (SBW) of 26.37±2.43 kg. The animals were weighed weekly and underwent a period of adaptation of 15 days before slaughter. The biometric measurements were obtained the day before slaughter, comprising body length, withers height, rump height, thigh length, breast width, rump width, thigh perimeter, rump perimeter, thorax perimeter, leg length, and body condition score. Additional measurements included slaughter BW and empty BW (EBW). The data recorded at slaughter comprised the weights of the viscera, carcass, and internal fat and offal. The in vivo measurements of body length were present in most of the equations for predicting the SBW, EBW, hot carcass weight (HCW), and cold carcass weight (CCW). The SBW and EBW presented a variation of approximately 9%. The variables that evaluated the carcass, HCW, and CCW demonstrated less data variation than SBW and EBW, which was probably because these measurements were obtained following evisceration and skinning, thus removing factors of more significant variation in vivo . The prediction models found in the present study varied with an R² of 0.49-0.93, indicating high levels of variation. In sum, biometric measurements can be used to predict the carcass characteristics of Morada Nova lambs with different body conditions.(AU)

Ruminal and morphometric parameters of rumen and intestine in lambs fed guava (Psidium guajava L) agroindustrial waste

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of guava agroindustrial waste (GAW) on ruminal parameters (pH, N-NH3, and microbial protein), volatile fatty acid (VFA), and morphometry of the rumen and intestine of sheep. A total of forty Santa Inês sheep (120 days old and 21.3±2.62 kg) were used. The animals were fed diets with 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30% inclusion of GAW. The pH, ammonia nitrogen, microbial protein, and VFA were evaluated in the ruminal fluid, alongside the morphometric characteristics of the rumen and intestine. The inclusion of GAW linearly increased fasting and postprandial pH, N-NH3 only showed a quadratic effect for fasting animal, whereas MP presented a quadratic effect for pre- and post-prandial animals. There was a quadratic effect for papilla width, with a maximum value of 393.33 µm at the level of 34.43% GAW in the diet. The papilla absorption area showed a linear effect, in which increasing levels of GAW in the diet had a smaller area of papillae absorption. The inclusion of GAW in the diet of Santa Inês sheep favored pH neutrality, reduced N-NH3 and ruminal MP concentrations, decreased the thickness of the rumen muscular layer, and increased the intestinal mucosa, favoring greater absorption of nutrients.(AU)