Avaliação ultrassonográfica, andrológica e histopatológica de novilhos confinados em dieta hiperenergética / Ultrasonographic, soundness and histopathologic evaluation of feedlot steers high-energy diet

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to andrologicaly evaluate confined young bulls submitted to a diet rich instarch, correlating andrological traditional data with ultrasonography and testicular histology. 40 bullsconfined for 94 days were submitted to 4 assessments to obtain testicular biometry, ultrasound images andsemen collection and evaluation of the testes after slaughter. There was a progressive increase in weight 341.7 ±15 kg at baseline to 453.6 ± 30 kg at the end of feedlot in 94 days, and testis, with CE of 28.44 ± 336 cm to34.68 ± 8.21 cm, VT 677.5 ± 234.7 mm3 to 2663.5 ± 1004 mm3. Ultrasound images showed changes from the56th day. Histological analysis presented alterations from inflammatory findings and testicular degeneration.The study showed that feedlot bulls submitted to high-energy diet rich in starch presented progressive testiculardevelopment and weight, however, it resulted in sonographic, histopathologic and andrological alterations.