Desenvolvimento ponderal e parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos de cordeiros Pantaneiros submetidos a diferentes manejos de amamentação / [Ponderal development and hematological and biochemical parameters of Pantaneiro lambs subjected to different suckling regimens]

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento ponderal e a dinâmica dos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos de cordeiros Pantaneiros submetidos a diferentes manejos de amamentação dos 15 aos 43 dias. Foram separados 30 cordeiros em três diferentes grupos (n=10). Os grupos foram caracterizados conforme o tempo de permanência das ovelhas com suas crias em diferentes sistemas de amamentação: MAM24 - ovelhas e cordeiros 24 horas em conjunto; MAM12 - ovelhas e cordeiros 12 horas em conjunto durante a noite; MAM2x30 - ovelhas e cordeiros 30 minutos de manhã e 30 minutos à tarde em conjunto. As coletas de amostras sanguíneas e as pesagens ocorriam a cada sete dias. Houve aumento significativo no peso com o avanço da idade dos cordeiros nos três manejos, mas os tratamentos não diferiram entre si para o ganho de peso. Houve diferenças entre os três tratamentos para a variável hematológica CHGM e para as variáveis bioquímicas AST, glicose, ureia e proteína total. As variáveis bioquímicas foram influenciadas pela faixa etária dos animais. Os diferentes manejos de amamentação não influenciaram o desenvolvimento ponderal dos cordeiros. Não ocorreram alterações patológicas. Alguns parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos podem ser influenciados pelo desenvolvimento etário dos cordeiros.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the weight development and the dynamics of hematological and biochemical parameters of Pantaneiro lambs submitted to different breastfeeding management from 15 to 43 days. First, 30 lambs were separated into three different groups (n = 10). The groups were characterized according to the length of stay of ewes with their young in different breastfeeding systems: MAM24 - ewes and lambs 24 hours together. MAM12- Sheep and lambs 12 hours together at night. MAM2x30 - sheep and lambs 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon together. Blood samples were collected and weighed every seven days. Significant increase in weight was observed with the age of the lambs in the three managements, but the treatments did not differ for weight gain. Differences were identified between the three treatments for the hematological variable CHGM and for the biochemical variables AST, glucose, urea and total protein. Correlating the age of the lambs with the biochemical variables, there was variation influenced by the age of the animals. The different management of breastfeeding did not influence the weight development of the lambs. Hematological and biochemical variations did not represent pathological changes. Some hematological and biochemical parameters may be influenced by the age development of lambs.(AU)

Environmental factors that influence milk production of Pantaneiro ewes and the weight gain of their lambs during the pre-weaning period.

The main objective of this research was to conduct an exploratory study of the lactation curve in order to characterize the productive potential of Pantaneiro ewes and lambs. Fifty ewes were bred using four rams in two different mating seasons. The ewes were kept with their lambs on pasture of Brachiaria brizantha. Ewe body score, ewe weight, and lamb weight were evaluated. Milk sampling was performed every week. In the morning for milk collections, the ewes were treated with 1 UI of oxytocin (intramuscular) for complete milking. Lambs were separated from the ewes for 4 h and milk collections were performed. The total milk production over 24 h was estimated by multiplying the production of this period (4 h) by 6. The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure (P < 0.05) in SAS. Milk production data were fitted to the curve using the incomplete gamma function of Wood, and lamb growth data were fitted using the Gompertiz equation. The average milk production of the ewes was 1.03 kg/day-1. Younger ewes had the lowest milk production (18 = 798 ± 330, 24 = 1001 ± 440, 36 = 1100 ± 490, and 48 = 1106 ± 490 g/day-1). Ewe body score at lambing affected initial milk production (1.0 = 816 ± 660, 1.5 = 1089 ± 105, and 2.0 = 1424 ± 1600 g/day-1). Lambs were weaned with an average weight of 20.3 kg. Daily weight gain from birth to weaning was 181 g. Locally adapted Pantaneiro ewes showed a linear decreasing lactation curve, with reduced production from the second week of lactation. Overall, evaluation of the dairy production and lamb performance revealed great variation, denoting potential for selection.

The intake of thermally processed soybean reduces the feedlot period of lambs independently of roughage to concentrate ratio.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrient intake and performance of feedlot lambs using 2 roughage to concentrate ratios and 2 types of soybean, whole (WS) or thermally processed (PS). Twenty male noncastrated market lambs weighting 23.26 ± 2.18 kg were used. The design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement of 2 × 2. Diets were formulated with 50:50 and 20:80 of roughage to concentrate ratio on DM, and the thermal processing was realized in an autoclave at 120°C during 1 h. The end of the experimental period was determined by animal BCS, that is, the animals were slaughtered with a BCS between 3 and 3.5. The animals fed with 50% of roughage spent more time consuming feed (P < 0.01) and ruminating (P < 0.01). Thermally processed soybean provided more time consuming (P < 0.05) and less leisure time (P < 0.05) compared with WS. Diet with 20% of roughage provided increased ADG (P < 0.01) and better feed conversion (FC; P < 0.01). The utilization of PS resulted in decreased feedlot period (FP; P< 0.01), increased ADG (P < 0.05), decreased DMI (P < 0.01), and consequently better FC (P < 0.01). Diet with PS decreased the intake of ADF (P < 0.01). There was interaction between the roughage to concentrate ratio and soybean, wherein the diet with 50% of roughage and WS provided increased intake of NDF (P < 0.05). The use of thermally processed soybean provided better performance of lambs, and when this feed is associated with higher concentrate proportion, it reduces the intake of fibrous fraction of the diet.

Genetic diversity of locally adapted sheep from Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul.

Sheep of the Pantaneiro breed and seven other breeds, raised in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, were genotyped using eight microsatellite loci. The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic variability, phylogenetic relationship, and patterns of gene introgression and miscegenation among the animals surveyed, to obtain information about the genetic structure of locally adapted sheep in Mato Grosso do Sul. A total of 195 animals were used for genetic analysis. The Pantaneiro breed had the largest average number of alleles/locus (9.25), and higher allelic richness (6.95), while the Dorper population had the lowest values for these parameters (4.88 and 3.86, respectively). Analysis of genetic distance values and genetic structure between populations made it possible to characterize these animals with regard to distinct genetic groups. Average expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.72 (Pantaneiro) to 0.55 (Dorper), while average observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.63 (White Dorper) to 0.54 (Dorper). On the basis of the statistical parameters evaluated, it was possible to demonstrate that when compared to other populations, the Pantaneiro breed represented a reservoir of genetic diversity with rare and useful alleles for genetic improvement, emphasizing the importance of preserving the breed.

Desempenho de novilhos de corte alimentados com dietas contendo quantidades crescentes de concentrado associado à forragem de aveia (Avena strigosa) tratada com uréia / Performance of beef steers fed on diets containing increasing amounts of concentrate associated to oat (Avena strigosa) forage treated with urea

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito dos níveis 40, 55 e 70 por cento de concentrado associados a um volumoso de baixa qualidade sobre o consumo e ganho de peso de 16 novilhos mestiços, castrados, com 10 meses de idade e peso vivo inicial médio de 312kg, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com três repetiçöes, durante 63 dias. O volumoso usado foi a aveia (Avena strigosa), tratada com uréia e o concentrado era constituído de milho, farelo de arroz, farelo de soja e minerais. Todas as dietas foram ajustadas para conter 12 por cento de proteína bruta. Houve resposta positiva e linear à proporçäo de concentrado na dieta, para as variáveis ganho de peso diário e consumo de matéria seca expresso em kg/animal/dia, em percentagem do peso vivo e em g por kg de peso metabólico em funçäo da proporçäo de concentrado na dieta. Houve resposta linear negativa para conversäo alimentar. O consumo de matéria seca e o ganho de peso diário aumentaram na medida em que se elevou a proporçäo de concentrado na dieta. O volumoso de baixa qualidade empregado possivelmente limitou o consumo e conseqüentemente o aporte de nutrientes