Inclusion of Crude Glycerin in Diets for Sheep

Crude glycerin is the main by-product of biodiesel industry. It has a great potential for reducing the feed costs in ruminant feedlot systems without affecting animal health and performance, mainly as a replacement for conventional food energy sources, such as corn grain. In the past years, great advancements have been achieved with crude glycerin utilization. This by-product is mainly composed of glycerol, an energetic compound of great assimilation by rumen microorganisms, being extensively metabolized in the liver. Recent studies with ovine species have demonstrated that high concentrations of glycerol (more than 76% of crude glycerin) can be used without detrimental effect for animals. In the rumen, glycerol is rapidly metabolized by microorganisms to form volatile fatty acids (VFA), mainly propionate and butyrate. In this way, glycerol constitutes an excellent substrate for gluconeogenesis and animal energy generation. At present, the inclusion of up to 20% of dry matter (DM) in a total diet seems to be the most interesting strategy, as it promotes greatest animal performance. However, other studies suggest that high inclusions of crude glycerin (30% of dry matter) could be possible depending on market price and the structure of farm operation, with favorable economic results

Bovine abortion due to Bacillus cereus in Midwest Brazil

ABSTRACT: Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly reported in soils and plants that occupy various ecological habitats, and the main source of contamination for cattle is silage. This report described a case of fetal loss associated with B. cereus infection in a cow. An 8-month-old, Nelore female bovine fetus from a beef farm was submitted for necropsy. A gross examination revealed fibrinous pleuropneumonia and fibrin exudation on the liver surface. The morphological diagnosis was restricted to the lungs and liver. In the lungs there was fibrinosuppurative pleuropneumonia associated with numerous aggregates of rod-shaped bacteria. In the liver there was moderate focally extensive fibrinous peri hepatitis.The lungs, liver, thoracic, and abomasal fluid cultures yielded pure cultures of B. cereus, indicating that these bacteria should be recognized as a cause of bovine abortion in fetuses that macroscopically present fibrin in the abdominal and thoracic cavity

Effects of the inclusion of glycerin in diets containing 30 or 70% roughage on feed disappearance and digestibility

The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro nutrient disappearance and in vivo nutrient digestibility of cattle diets containing 70 or 30% roughage, with and without glycerin supplementation. Four Nellore cattle were used in the study based on a 4 × 4 Latin Square design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Inclusion of glycerin and roughage proportion did not affect the nutrient disappearance of each ingredient (P > 0.05). Regardless of the inclusion of glycerin, a reduction in the proportion of roughage led to an increase (P 0.05) in STD (78%). Inclusion of glycerin at 20% of the total DM increased the utilisation of dietary DM without affecting the fibrous fraction of the diet. Glycerin supplementation in diets containing 70% roughage improves neutral detergent fibre digestibility

Substituição parcial de milho por cascas de soja em dietas de alta percentagem de grãos para ovinos confinados

The objective of this work was to evaluate the partial replacement of corn grains by soybean hulls, in high-grain diets, and its effect on the feeding behavior and ruminal fermentation parameters of feedlot sheep. Eight rumen-cannulated crossbred sheep were assigned to four treatment groups composed of a control, to fed a diet of 50% corn silage and 50% concentrate, and to three groups fed high-grain diets, as follows: 85% corn (Diet85), 75% corn plus 10% soybean hulls (Diet75), and 65% corn plus 20% soybean hulls (Diet65). High-grain diets reduced rumination time and provided a higher degradation of feed dry matter, a higher-propionic acid concentration, a lower-acetic acid concentration, a lower methane and carbon dioxide gas production, and a lower ruminal pH value. Diet65, with 20% soybean hulls, promoted an increase in the acetic acid proportion, with a reduction in the CO2:CH4 ratio. At the end of in vitro incubation, the pH value was higher for the control diet, and it was lower for Diet85. The inclusion of soybean hulls does not change methane production and dry matter degradation, and it can be used to substitute up to 20% of corn grain in high-grain diets.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a substituição parcial de milho por cascas de soja, em dietas de alta percentagem de grãos, e seu efeito sobre o comportamento alimentar e os parâmetros de fermentação ruminal em ovinos confinados. Oito carneiros com rúmens canulados foram distribuídos em quatro grupos experimentais, compostos de um controle, alimentado com uma dieta de 50% de silagem de milho e 50% de concentrado, e em três grupos alimentados com as seguintes dietas com alta percentagem de grãos: 85% de milho (Diet85), 75% de milho e 10% de cascas de soja (Diet75), e 65% de milho e 20% de cascas de soja (Diet65). Os tratamentos de alta percentagem de grãos reduziram o tempo de ruminação e proporcionaram maior degradação da matéria seca do alimento, maior concentração de ácido propiônico, menor concentração de ácido acético, menor produção de gás metano e carbono, e menor valor de pH ruminal. A Diet65, com 20% de casca de soja, promoveu o aumento da proporção de ácido acético, com a redução da relação CO2:CH4 no rúmen. Ao final da incubação in vitro, o valor de pH foi maior na dieta-controle, e menor na Diet85. A inclusão de cascas de soja não altera a produção de metano nem a degradação da matéria seca e pode ser usada para substituir até 20% do milho em dietas de alta percentagem de grãos

Effect of inclusion of NDF in ration of Bergamasca ewes in lactation about the milk production and composition

Ruminant milk composition is directly affected by diet, which can interfere in rumen fermentation and in the availability of precursors for the synthesis of fat, protein and lactose. This study evaluated the effect of the inclusion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on dry matter intake, feed efficiency, milk production and composition of Bergamácia ewes. Sixteen lactating ewes were divided into four 4x4 Latin squares. The experimental diets consisted of protein concentrate and alfalfa hay. Concentrate:forage ratios varied according to treatment, to achieve the required levels of NDF: (T1) 23%, (T2) 32%, (T3) 41% and (T4) 50% NDF in total ration. The ewes were milked twice a day in a milking machine. Milk samples were collected for two days in each sub-period to determinate the composition by infrared method. There was a linear effect (P<0.01) in milk production and average daily production efficiency (P<0.02) with the inclusion of fiber in the diet. A quadratic effect was observed for DMI (1.69, 1.71, 1.58 and 1.32 kilograms). Increasing fiber in the diet reduced milk production without altering its composition. The maximum intake was achieved at 37.8% NDF in the ration.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Osteotomia da base do I metatarsal no tratamento do hálux valgo moderado e grave: resultados após seguimento médio de oito anos

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o resultado da correção do hálux valgo moderado ou grave com a osteotomia da base do I metatarsal, associada à liberação distal de partes moles e capsuloplastia medial. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 13 pacientes (15 pés), submetidos à cirurgia para correção de hálux valgo moderado ou grave. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 102 meses, 12 pacientes eram do sexo feminino e um do masculino, com média de idade, no momento da cirurgia, de 49 anos. Os pacientes convocados foram entrevistados segundo questionário desenvolvido no serviço, avaliados clinicamente conforme o escore de AOFAS e submetidos a exames radiográficos para comparação com os pré-operatórios. RESULTADOS: A média da pontuação da escala da AOFAS obtida na avaliação final foi de 82 pontos. Nove dos 15 pés (60%) apresentaram alguma complicação tardia, sendo quatro (27%) deformidades em varo, três (20%) recidivas; dois pacientes (13%) com queixa de dor sem deformidade associada. Na articulação metatarsofalângica do hálux a perda do movimento foi de 41º (57%); o movimento em dorsiflexão foi o mais afetado, com perda de 37º em média (60%). A amplitude de movimento do lado contralateral não operado foi utilizada como grupo controle. Observou-se progressão da artrose na avaliação radiográfica final. Em todos os casos, houve encurtamento e elevação do primeiro metatarsal, porém não foi possível correlacionar o encurtamento e elevação com metatarsalgia, calosidade plantar ou menor pontuação na escala AOFAS na avaliação final. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de osteotomia da base e realinhamento distal de partes moles, utilizada para correção de hálux valgo moderado a grave, mostrou elevado índice de complicações tardias. Devido ao elevado número dessas complicações, acreditamos que a eleição dessa técnica para correção do hálux valgo deve ser considerada com cautela.OBJECTIVE: To assess the result of the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus with osteotomy of the first metatarsal base associated to distal release of soft parts and medial capsuloplasty. METHODS: 13 patients were assessed (15 feet) submitted to surgical treatment of hallux valgus moderate to severe. The mean follow-up time was 102 months; there were 12 female and 1 male patients, with mean age at the time of surgery of 49 years. The patients enrolled were interviewed according to the questionnaire developed by our service, clinically examined according to the AOFAS scale and submitted to X-ray tests for comparing the results with baseline images. RESULTS: The mean score of the AOFAS scale obtained at the final assessment was 82 points. Nine of the 15 feet (60%) showed some late complications, with four (27%) varus deformities, three (20%) recurrences; two patients (13%) presenting with pain complaints with no associated deformity. In the hallux metatarsophalangeal joint, movement loss was 41º (57%); dorsiflexion movement was mostly affected, with a mean loss of 37º (60%). The range of motion on the contralateral intact side served as control group. Arthrosis progression was seen on the final X-ray evaluation. In all cases, shortening and lifting of the first metatarsal were noticed; however, we couldn't correlate the shortening and lifting with metatarsalgia, plant callosity or lower scoring on the AOFAS scale at the final evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The osteotomy technique by the basis and with distal realignment of soft parts employed in the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus showed a high rate of late complications. Due to the high number of complications, we believe that adopting this technique for correcting hallux valgus deformities should be carefully considered

Inclusion of crude glycerin with different roughages changes ruminal parameters and in vitro gas production from beef cattle

ABSTRACT: The increasing availability of crude glycerin from biodiesel production has generated great stock in the industries. To solve this problem, crude glycerin is being used as an energy source to replace corn in livestock diets. This study evaluated the effects of the association of crude glycerin (10% on DM of diets) with different roughages in Nellore cattle diets on ruminal pH and ammonia, degradability, digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, and greenhouse gas production. Six ruminally cannulated Nellore steers were assigned to a 6×6 Latin square design. The following treatments were evaluated: Hydrolyzed Sugarcane associated or not with crude glycerin, Corn Silage associated or not with crude glycerin or Tifton-85 Hay associated or not with crude glycerin. Association of crude glycerin with roughages did not affect the rumen ammonia concentration and pH and dry matter intake, but reduced the intake of NDF for diets with Hydrolyzed Sugarcane and Corn Silage and reduced the digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, EE, CNF and starch and decreased the effective degradation at the rate of 8% h-1 for diets with Tifton-85 Hay. The association crude glycerin with Hydrolyzed Sugarcane reduced the production of CH4 and CO2 in mL g-1 of DM. The inclusion of crude glycerin affects differently nutrient utilization in diets with Corn Silage, Hydrolyzed Sugarcane or Tifton-85 hay. Moreover, promotes mitigation of greenhouse gases in diets with Hydrolyzed Sugarcane. Association of crude glycerin with Corn Silage in Nellore cattle diets showed better conditions of ruminal fermentation and utilization of nutrients

Crude glycerin combined with food additives in feeding beef cattle

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding crude glycerin with food additives (sodium monensin or essential oils) to the diets of beef cattle on feed intake, ruminal parameters, in vitro digestibility, and production of greenhouse gases. Five ruminally cannulated Nellore steers were randomly assigned in a 5×5 Latin square design. The treatments were: control, without crude glycerin and additives; with essential oils and without crude glycerin; with sodium monensin and without crude glycerin; with essential oils and crude glycerin; and with sodium monensin and crude glycerin. The addition of crude glycerin caused a reduction in dry matter (DM) intake, increase in vitro dry matter digestibility, and decrease in vitro crude protein digestibility, regardless of the food additive. All treatments were effective in maintaining the rumen environment with pH values above 6.2 and ammonia nitrogen concentrations above 10 mg dL−1. No difference was observed in the production and quality of protozoal and bacterial fractions. The addition of crude glycerin at 200 g kg−1 DM in the total diet can partially replace corn grain and soybean hulls and be combined with either sodium monensin or essential oil without impairing the rumen fermentation, being effective in reducing gas methane production and, when combined with sodium monensin, enables more efficient utilization of the diet by the animal. Therefore, feedlot experiments at large scales of production should be evaluated to prove these positive results