Red propolis extract as a natural ionophore for confined sheep: performance and morphological and histopathological changes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of red propolis extract (RPE) in the diet of confined sheep on performance and histomorphometric parameters of rumen and intestine and histopathological parameters of liver and kidney. Thirty-five male sheep (17.08 ± 2.36 kg) were used, distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 mL day-1 RPE) and seven replications, submitted to 68 days of experiment. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were euthanized, and samples of rumen, intestine, liver, and kidney were collected to histomorphometry and histopathology analyzes. Higher RPE inclusions (21 and 28 mL day-1) maintained dry matter intake and increased total weight (5.78 x 6.14 and 6.95 kg, respectively) gain up to 20.24%. In the rumen, the inclusion of RPE led to an increase in the thickness of the epithelium and the highest level also increased the thickness of the keratinized portion of this epithelium (21.71 x 32.15 µm). The level of 21 mL day-1 provided larger ruminal papillae (1620.68 x 1641.70 µm) and greater ruminal absorption area (561791.43 x 698288.50 µm2). In intestine 21 and 28 mL-1 of RPE provided greater mucosal thickness (468.54 x 556.20 and 534.64 µm), higher goblet cell index (23.32 x 25.82 and 25.64) and higher hepatic glycogen index (1.47 x 1.64 and 1.62), supporting higher nutrients absortion and glicogenolise and intestinal health, corroborating the weight gain indices. The inclusion of RPE did not cause renal histopathological lesions. Therefore, levels of 21 and 28 mL day-1 of RPE can be used in sheep diets, promoting greater final weight gain, causing positive histomorphological changes in the rumen, intestine and liver, without causing kidney or liver damage.

Lambs fed diets containing by-product from coconut processing: histomorphometry characteristics in the digestive and renal systems.

This study aimed to evaluate the histological characteristics in the digestive and renal systems of lambs fed diets containing coconut by-product (CB). A total of 35 male lambs with an initial weight of 16.9 ± 2.93 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design with five levels of CB in the diet (0; 4.8; 9.6; 14.4 and 19.2% in total dry matter). Samples of the liver, kidney, rumen, and intestine were histomorphometrically evaluated, and the data were submitted to regression analysis, at a 5% error probability. The inclusion of CB linearly decreased the dry matter intake and caused a quadratic effect for the height of ruminal papillae, absorption area, epithelium thickness, as well as for average daily gain. The inclusion of CB linearly increased the mucous layer and reduced the submucosal layer, as well as promoted a decrease in goblet cells in the small intestine. The inclusion of CB did not influence hepatic glycogen; additionally, the histopathological examination did not reveal liver damage or congestion, vacuolization, and necrosis of the renal tissue. Therefore, our results indicate that CB can be included in lambs diet up to the level of 7.2% without causing changes in the histomorphometry characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract and changes in liver and kidney tissue that compromise animal performance.

Intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters, and performance in lamb fed with increasing levels of red propolis extract.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of increasing levels of red propolis extract (RPE) on the intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, rumen parameters, metabolic parameters, and performance of feedlot lambs. Thirty-five uncastrated male Santa Inês lambs with an initial weight of 17.08 ± 2.36 kg were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments (0, 7, 14, 21, or 28 mL RPE/animal/day). The animals were confined for 68 days. Red propolis extract induced a negative quadratic response (P < 0.05) in the intakes of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and metabolizable energy. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber, as well as the rumen concentration of NH3-N, also responded quadratically (P < 0.05) to RPE. Feeding efficiency increased linearly (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of RPE, whereas rumination efficiency was maximum (P < 0.05) at the RPE level of 16 mL/day. Red propolis extract induced a linear response (P < 0.05) in serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. There was a quadratic effect on final body weight and average daily gain with minimum values for inclusion of RPE of 12.89 mL/day and 10.93 mL/day respectively. Feed efficiency rose linearly (P < 0.05) with the increasing concentrations of RPE in the diet. The inclusion of 21 mL RPE/day (8.5 mg total flavonoids/mL) in the diet of feedlot lambs is recommended to reduce the rumen NH3-N production and increase the animals' performance.

Coconut fruit pulp by-product in the diet of sheep.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of coconut fruit pulp by-product (CPB) on the intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, and ruminal parameters of sheep. Five intact, male, non-descript lambs with a mean initial body weight of 25.5 ± 1.68 kg were assigned to a Latin square design (5 × 5) of five treatments consisting of CPB inclusion levels, in five proportions of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% dry matter (DM), in diets consisting of sugarcane bagasse as forage, with corn and soybean meal. Each period lasted 15 days for adaptation followed by 6 days for data collection. The inclusion of CPB linearly decreased (P < 0.05) the intake of DM, crude protein, non-fibre carbohydrates, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and DM digestibility. The inclusion of CPB linearly increased (P < 0.05) the ether extract digestibility, but did not influence (P > 0.05) the NDF digestibility. There was a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in the absorbed nitrogen (N) and retained N (g/day); however, a quadratic increase (P < 0.05) for N absorbed (% consumed) as well as ammonia nitrogen was observed. There was a quadratic increase (P < 0.05) for propionate (mMol/L and %) and the ratio of acetate, propionate and butyrate (mMol/L and %) with the inclusion of CPB in the diet. Based on these findings, it was recommended to incorporate CPB up to the level of 5% in the diet of sheep.

Can roughage: concentrate ratio affect the action of red propolis extract on sheep metabolism?

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the addition of red propolis extract (RPE), in different roughage: concentrate (R:C) ratios, influences the intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters, and serum biochemistry of sheep. We used eight Santa Inês sheep with an average body weight of 29.45 ± 1.58 kg, housed in metabolism cages for 60 days, and distributed in two simultaneous Latin square designs in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme. The factors consisted of two R:C ratios (70:30 and 30:70) with or without the addition of 15 mL/day of RPE. No interactions were found (P > 0.05) between R:C ratios and with or without RPE. Sheep fed 30:70 ratio showed higher (P < 0.05) intake and dry matter (DM) digestibility and non-fibrous carbohydrates and lower (P < 0.05) intake and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility. The addition of RPE did not influence (P > 0.05) the intake or nutrients digestibility, but the sheep that received RPE had a higher (P < 0.05) ruminal pH and longer (P < 0.05) time of rumination (min/kg DM) compared to the group without propolis. The ruminal ammonia concentration was higher for sheep fed 70:30 ratio, but the concentrations of total protein and albumin did not differ between R:C ratios. The addition of 15 mL of RPE does not influence the intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, and rumen ammonical nitrogen of sheep. There is no association between the R:C ratio and the addition of 15 mL/day of RPE for sheep.

The inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal in sugarcane silage increases the carcass weight and the content of unsaturated fatty acids in lamb meat.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and meat quality of lambs fed sugarcane silage containing increasing levels of detoxified castor bean meal (DCBM). Twenty-four Santa Inês male sheep were used, with initial body weight of 25.34 ± 2.57 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 70, 140, and 210 g/kg of DCBM in the sugarcane silage). Intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were positively influenced (P < 0.05) by the levels of DCBM. There was a linear increase (P < 0.05) on the intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber with the inclusion of DCBM. The daily and total gains showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of DCBM, with a maximum point of 241.64 g/d and 18.12 kg at the level of 161.9 g/kg of DCBM. There was a linear increase (P < 0.01) on the hot carcass with the inclusion of DCBM. The inclusion of DCBM did not influence (P > 0.05) the levels of total lipids (2.1%) in lamb meat, but the levels of oleic acid (C18:1 n-6c) and total monounsaturated fatty acids presented a quadratic effect (P < 0.05). It is recommended to include 160 g/kg of detoxified castor bean meal in sugarcane silage.