The Effects of Long-term Molybdenum Exposure in Drinking Water on Molybdenum Metabolism and Production Performance of Beef Cattle Consuming a High Forage Diet.

Fifty-four multiparous beef cows with calves were used to evaluate the effects of Mo source (feed or water) on reproduction, mineral status, and performance over two cow-calf production cycles (553 days). Cows were stratified by age, body weight, liver Cu, and Mo status and were then randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups. Treatments were (1) negative control (NC; basal diet with no supplemental Mo or Cu), (2) positive control (NC + Cu; 3 mg of supplemental Cu/kg DM), (3) NC + 500 µg Mo/L from Na2MoO4·2H2O supplied in drinking water, (4) NC + 1000 µg Mo/L of Na2MoO4·2H2O supplied in drinking water, (5) NC + Mo 1000-water + 3 mg of supplemental Cu/kg DM, and (6) NC + 3.0 mg of supplemental Mo/kg diet DM from Na2MoO4·2H2O. Animals were allowed ad libitum access to both harvested grass hay (DM basis: 6.6% crude protein; 0.15% S, 6.7 mg Cu/kg, 2.4 mg Mo/kg) and water throughout the experiment. Calves were weaned at approximately 6 months of age each year. Dietary Cu concentration below 10.0 mg Cu/kg DM total diet reduced liver and plasma Cu concentrations to values indicative of a marginal Cu deficiency in beef cows. However, no production parameters measured in this experiment were affected by treatment. Results suggest that Mo supplemented in water or feed at the concentrations used in this experiment had minimal impact on Cu status and overall performance.

Molybdenum Exposure in Drinking Water Vs Feed Impacts Apparent Absorption of Copper Differently in Beef Cattle Consuming a High-Forage Diet.

Twelve Angus steers were utilized to investigate the influence of molybdenum (Mo) in drinking water or feed on apparent absorption and retention of copper (Cu) and Mo. Steers were fed a low-quality grass hay diet for 14 days. Steers were then housed in individual metabolism stalls and blocked by body weight and dry matter intake (DMI) and randomly assigned within block to one of three treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) control (no supplemental Mo), (2) 5.0 mg Mo/kg DM from sodium molybdate dihydrate (Mo-diet), and (3) 1.5 mg Mo/L from sodium molybdate dihydrate delivered in the drinking water (Mo-water). Total fecal and urine output were then collected for 5 days. Dry matter, Cu and water intake, and DM digestibility were similar across treatments. Molybdenum intake was greater (P < 0.05) in Mo-water and Mo-diet steers when compared to controls but similar between Mo-water and Mo-diet steers. Apparent absorption and retention of Cu were greater (P < 0.05) in controls when compared to Mo-diet supplemented steers. Apparent absorption and retention of Cu in steers in the Mo-water treatment did not differ from controls or those receiving the Mo-diet. Molybdenum-diet and Mo-water supplemented steers had similar apparent absorption and retention of Cu. Apparent absorption and retention of Mo (% of Mo intake) was greater in controls when compared to Mo-supplemented steers. These data indicate that Mo consumed in water may impact Cu absorption and retention to a lesser extent than Mo supplemented in the diet.

Free gossypol supplementation frequency and reproductive toxicity in young bulls.

The aim of the present study was to analyze seminal quality of young bulls subjected to different frequencies of gossypol supplementation. Forty-eight Nellore bulls, with 19 months of age and weighing 357.8 ±â€¯7.2 kg, were used in this study. Animals were fed with 10.5 kg of standard supplement containing free-gossypol from whole cottonseed (WCS) at the following frequency: 3x/week (G3x), 5x/week (G5x) or 7x/week (G7x - Control). Additionally, a negative control was provided, and the treated animals received only mineral supplement (MM) ad libtum. The experiment lasted for 84 days and semen was collected at the beginning and at the end for analysis and cryopreservation. Fresh semen was used for initial analysis and plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology were also determined. General motility using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA), plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity, mitochondrial activity, and induced oxidative stress were assessed in post-thawed semen. The study design was completely randomized. Parametric data were analyzed by ANOVA and non-parametric data by the Wilcoxon test, using the statistical program SAS. Level of significance was set at 5%. Supplementation with WCS, regardless the frequency, increased total (P = .009) and head (P = .005) defects in comparison to animals receiving only forage and mineral supplement. Infrequent supplementation, particularly 5 times in the week (G5X), increased head (P = .026) and midpiece (P = .014) abnormalities. Sperm motility in fresh semen was lower in animals that received daily supplementation than those supplemented on alternate days (P = .021). Additionally, animals supplemented daily showed lower percentage of spermatozoa with intact acrosome compared to those supplemented on alternate days (P = .005). Thus, regardless the frequency of supplementation, free-gossypol supplementation affects sperm quality. Although the amount of free gossypol supplied weekly was the same among treatments, daily supplementation compromised sperm kinetics, differently from infrequent supplementation that led to sperm defects developed during spermatogenesis.

Suitable strategy to improve nitrogen utilization and reduce the environmental impact of Nellore bulls supplemented on tropical pasture.

Expansion of the biodiesel industry has increased the crude glycerin (CG) supply. Crude glycerin has the potential of replacing corn in ruminant diets because the glycerol can be converted to glucose in the liver of ruminants, providing energy for cellular metabolism. The objective was to evaluate the effects of CG with urea, soybean meal, cottonseed meal, and corn gluten feed, respectively, on intake, digestibility, microbial protein yield, and efficiency of N utilization. Five Nellore bulls (initial BW of 448 kg [SD 14]) grazing tropical pasture were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The supplements were control (no supplementation; only free-choice mineral mixture ad libitum), CG with urea (CG-Urea), CG with soybean meal, CG with cottonseed meal, and CG with corn gluten. Crude glycerin was used in all supplements to replace corn (15% of DM supplement). There were differences between CG-Urea and other supplements with regard to intake of DM (% of BW and total; < 0.01), OM ( < 0.01), CP ( < 0.01), and TDN ( < 0.01). The digestibility of CP was greater ( = 0.04) for animals supplemented with CG-Urea than for those fed other supplements. Animals supplemented with CG-Urea showed greater N intake ( < 0.01) and N ammonia ( = 0.04) than those supplemented with other treatments. Nitrogen retained (g/d) was not affected by protein source but was greater for cattle fed a protein supplement compared with cattle fed the control supplement ( < 0.01). Supplementing the animals with protein sources increased ( = 0.02) the daily production of rumen microbial nitrogen (g/d) compared with the control group. Microbial protein (g/d) was lesser for the control than for protein sources ( = 0.02). However, when expressed relative to TDN ( = 0.35) and CP ( = 0.82), there were no differences across treatments. Crude protein intake per digestible OM intake (g CP/kg digestible OM intake) was greater for animals fed protein sources compared with animals fed control supplements ( < 0.01). Based on nutrients intake and microbial protein yield, CG-Urea supplement has a greater feeding value compared with other protein sources. Crude glycerin, when used to replace corn in 15% of DM supplement, may be effective to improved N utilization and microbial protein yield in rumen of Nellore bulls grazing cv. Marandu.

Porcentagem de proteína em suplementos para ovinos mantidos em pasto de capim-aruana na época seca / Protein percentage in supplements for sheep grazing Aruana grass on dry season

Objetivou-se avaliar o consumo de forragem e o desempenho de ovinos mantidos em pastagem de capim-aruana, submetidos a porcentagens crescentes de proteína bruta (PB) no suplemento, na época seca. Vinte borregos da raça Santa Inês foram utilizados em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os suplementos foram fornecidos em 1,0% do peso corporal, nas porcentagens de 0, 15, 20, 25 e 30%. O aumento de proteína bruta influenciou o consumo total de matéria seca (kg/dia) e a porcentagem do peso vivo, com valores máximos estimados de 1.296g (3,2% de MS) com 21,48 e 21,89% de PB no suplemento, respectivamente. O consumo de forragem máximo, estimado de 893g/dia, ocorreu com a PB de 21,5%. O aumento de PB nos suplementos resultou em efeito quadrático sobre o ganho médio diário, com valor máximo de 104g/dia com a PB de 23% no suplemento. Recomenda-se o uso de suplementos múltiplos com 21 a 23% de PB fornecidos na proporção de 1% do peso corporal (PC) para ovinos mantidos em pastos de capim-aruana na época seca...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the forage intake and grazing sheep performance keep on Aruana grass subjected to increasing crude protein (CP) levels in the supplement on dry season. Twenty Santa Ines male lambs were used, with initial body weight of 31.80kg by a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications. The supplements were provided daily at 1% of body weight, with protein levels of 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30%. The increase of the crude protein levels promoted a squarely effect on dry matter intake (kg/day and % of BW), with maximum estimated values of 1296g and 3.2% of DM in CP levels of 21.48 and 21.89, respectively. The maximum forage intake estimated of 893g/day occurred in CP level de 21.51%. The increased of crude protein level in supplements increased squarely the average daily gain, with a maximum of 104g/day, for the 23% crude protein in the supplement. Thus, the use of the multiple supplements supplied in 1% of body weight with CP levels ranged 21 a 23% is indicated for sheep grazing Aruana grass on dry season...

Avaliação do vício de "tempo longo" de indicadores internos em ensaio de digestão com ruminantes / Evaluation of internal markers long term bias in a digestion assay with ruminants

Realizou-se um ensaio de digestão com 20 ovinos machos, castrados, para avaliar o viés de "tempo longo" (VTL) dos indicadores internos: matéria seca indigestível (MSi) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDNi) e ácido (FDAi) indigestíveis. O experimento, com duração de 19 dias, foi implementado em delineamento em blocos completos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos (rações concentradas) e quatro blocos. As dietas utilizadas, formuladas para serem isoprotéicas (10 por cento de proteína bruta), apresentaram 60 por cento de feno de capim-coastcross e 40 por cento de concentrado, constituído por milho grão, farelo de soja e casca de café, em diferentes proporções: 0; 6,25; 12,5; 18,75; e 25 por cento. A concentração dos indicadores foi estimada em amostras de alimentos, sobras e fezes, por procedimento de incubação ruminal in situ, durante 144 horas. A relação entre consumo e excreção dos indicadores foi realizada pelo ajustamento de modelo de regressão linear simples, de forma independente dos efeitos fixos de tratamentos e blocos. Verificou-se recuperação completa dos indicadores MSi e FDNi (P>0,30), o que indica ausência de VTL. Observou-se VTL de +25,45 g/dia para a FDAi (P<0,06).

Long term bias (LTB) of internal markers indigestible dry matter (iDM), and indigestible neutral (iNDF) and acid (iADF) detergent fiber in a digestion assay with ruminants was evaluated. Twenty castrated male ovines were managed in metabolic crates. A completely randomized block design with five treatments (concentrate rations) and four blocks was used. Diets were isonitrogenous diets (10 percent of crude protein) were formulated to containing 60 percent of coastcross hay and 40 percent of concentrate, in dry matter basis. The concentrates were based on corn grain, soybean meal and coffee hulls, in different levels (0, 6.25, 12.5, 18.75, and 25 percent), as fed-basis. The markers contents in feeds, orts, and feces were estimated by a 144 hours in situ rumen incubation procedure. The relationship between markers intake and fecal excretion was accomplished by a simple linear regression model adjustment, independently of the effects of block and treatment. The total iDM and iNDF recovery (P>.30), with LTB free, was observed. The iADF had +25.45 g/day LTB (P<.06).

Efeito associativo na suplementação de bovinos a pasto. Revisão / Associative effect in the grazing cattle supplementation. Review / El efecto asociativo en el suplementación ganadero en pastoreo. Revisión

A suplementação para bovinos a pasto visa suprir deficiências que prejudicam o crescimento animal. Em muitos casos, pode melhorar o desempenho, mas nem sempre a resposta é satisfatória. A variação entre o observado e o esperado pode ser explicada pelo efeito associativo do suplemento sobre o consumo de forragem e a energia disponível da dieta, modificando a condição metabólica ruminal e do próprio animal, resultando em alterações no consumo e desempenho. Os efeitos associativos ocorrem e são importantes, gerando uma redução no consumo de forragem, associados com uma série de fatores que devem ser compreendidos para se proporcionar um desempenho melhor e uma utilização eficiente dos alimentos para bovinos mantidos a pasto. Neste trabalho serão discutidos fatores como a qualidade e a quantidade das forragens; o teor de NDT e o nível de fornecimento dos suplementos; o teor protéico presente no suplemento fornecido; a presença de controladores de consumo como sal e uréia e a categoria animal, sexo e grupamento genético, que afetam o desempenho e o tempo de abate dos animais.

The supplementation for bovine at grazing on seeks to supply defi ciencies that damage to the animal growth. In many cases, it can improve the acting, but not always the answer is satisfactory. The variation among the observed and the expected can be explained by the associative effect of the supplement on the forage intake and the available energy of the diet, modifying the ruminal condition metabolic and of the own animal, resulting in alterations in the consumption and performance. The associative effects happen and they are important, generating a reduction in the forage intake, associated with a series of factors that should be understood to provide a better acting and effi ciency of use of the victuals for bovine maintained to pasture. In this work, factors will be discussed as the quality and the amount of the forages; the content of NDTand the level of supply of the supplements; the protein content present in the supplied supplement; the intake controllers' presence as salt and urea and the animal category, sex and genetic group, that affect the acting and the time of animal slaughter.

La suplementación bovino a rozar adelante busca suplir defi ciencias que dañan al crecimiento animal. En muchos casos, puede mejorar la acción, pero no siempre la respuesta es satisfactoria. La variación entre lo que observamos y lo que esperamos puede ser explicada por el efecto asociativo del suplemento en la succión de forraje y la energía disponible de la dieta, cambiando el condicionamiento metabolito ruminal y del propio animal, produciendo las alteraciones en el consumo y actuación. Los efectos asociativos pasan y ellos son importantes, generando una reducción en el consumo de forraje, asociado una serie de factores que deben ser entendidos para proporcionar una acción mejor y una utilización más efi ciente de uso para bovino mantuvieron para pastar. En este trabajo se discutirá como la calidad y la cantidad de los forrajes;el tenor de NDT y el nivel de suministro de los suplementos; el tenor de proteína presente en el suplemento proporcionado e la presencia de los directores de la como la sal y urea y la categoría animal, sexo y genético, que afectan la acción y el tiempo de abate de los animales.