Effects of monensin in supplements for beef cattle in tropical grazing systems during the rainy season.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of monensin in supplements for grazing heifers. In experiment I, treatments consisted of protein supplements (low intake - 0.5 kg/animal/day and high intake - 1.0 kg/animal/day) associated or not with monensin. Animal performance, nutrient intake, and digestibility were evaluated. Forty crossbred heifers with an initial body weight (BW) of 213.8 ± 4.5 kg were used. There was no difference in average daily gain between treatments (average of 0.588 kg/animal/day). There was no interaction between monensin and supplements for intake parameters and digestibility. Dry matter (DM) intake was equal between treatments (~ 2% of BW). However, there was a reduction in pasture intake with the high-intake supplement. In experiment II, treatments consisted of two types of supplements (protein or mineral) associated or not with monensin. The variables analyzed were productive performance, ingestive behavior, and thermal comfort, evaluated through the index of thermal stress for cows (ITSC). Forty crossbred heifers with a BW of 159.2 ± 1.3 kg were used. The type of supplement did not influence the performance of the animals. However, monensin promoted greater weight gain in the animals (110 g/animal/day). There was an interaction effect between supplementation and monensin addition on behavioral activities, except for idle time. The inclusion of monensin in the protein supplement reduced the grazing time. The ITSC value influenced the activities of ingestive behavior, and the increase of this index reduced the grazing time in all treatments. Forage quality influences the response to monensin use, and the addition of monensin in supplements for grazing cattle during the rainy season is recommended for forages with high CP content.

Hypoglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic effects of Syzygium cumini (Lamarck) Skeels and Syzygiumpaniculatum (Gaertn.)

SUMMARY Introduction: there is a recent increase in interest in the use of medicinal and phytotherapeutic plants. Objective: to verify the effect of ethanolic extracts from different parts of fruits of two species of the genus Syzygium, on glucose and lipid levels in the blood, using animal models. Results: the bark extract of the seeds of S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels proved to be effective in reducing blood glucose levels. This same extract was also effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels. The extract from the seed nuclei of S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels and S. paniculatum (Gaertn) were effective in reducing blood triglyceride levels. Extracts from all parts of the fruits of S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels and of the seed nuclei of S. panic-ulatum (Gaertn) prevented weight gain in the animals. Conclusión: in general, the seed extract of both species showed a direct influence on the parameters and characteristics under study.

Introducción: hay un reciente aumento del interés en el uso de plantas medicinales y fitoterapéuticas. Objetivo: verificar el efecto de los extractos etanólicos de diferentes partes de frutos de dos especies del género Syzygium, sobre los niveles de glucosa y lípidos en la sangre, utilizando modelos animales. Resultados: el extracto de corteza de las semillas de S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels demostró ser eficaz para reducir los niveles de glucosa en la sangre. Este mismo extracto también fue eficaz para reducir los niveles de colesterol en la sangre. El extracto de los núcleos de semillas de S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels y S. paniculatum (Gaertn) fueron eficaces para reducir los niveles de triglicéridos en la sangre. Los extractos de todas las partes de los frutos de S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels y de los núcleos de semillas de S. paniculatum (Gaertn) impidieron el aumento de peso en los animales. Conclusión: en general, el extracto de semillas de ambas especies mostró una influencia directa sobre los parámetros y características en estudio.

Introdução: há um aumento recente do interesse pelo uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicas. Objetivo: verificar o efeito de extratos etanólicos de diferentes partes de frutos de duas espécies do gênero Syzygium, sobre os níveis de glicose e lipídios no sangue, por meio de modelos animais. Resultados: o extrato da casca das sementes de S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels mostrou-se eficaz na redução da glicemia. Este mesmo extrato também foi eficaz na redução dos níveis de colesterol no sangue. Os extratos dos núcleos das sementes de S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels e S. paniculatum (Gaertn) foram eficazes na redução dos níveis de triglicerídeos no sangue. Extratos de todas as partes dos frutos de S. cumini (Lamarck) Skeels e dos núcleos das sementes de S. pani-culatum (Gaertn) impediram o ganho de peso nos animais. Conclusão: em geral, o extrato de sementes de ambas as espécies apresentou influência direta nos parâmetros e características em estudo.