Effect of the utilization of aromatic plants on diet utilization, milk production, parasitic load,and health status of dairy ewes

This dissertation studied the effects of aromatic plants on diet utilization, milk production, parasitic load, and health of Sarda dairy ewes. The first chapter reviewed the effects of aromatic plants and their extracts on ruminants in in vivo studies. The second chapter reported a long-term feeding trial on the effects of Carum sp., Coriandrum sp. and Satureja sp. at three doses on milk production, feed intake, blood and ruminal parameters and digestibility of lactating Sarda dairy ewes. All mixtures were eaten by the ewes without harming animal health; most milk parameters did not change; milk fatty acids were modified by the plants, especially at the highest dose; rumen pH was affected by plant and dose; NDF digestibility increased with the plants and in vivo digestibility of most nutrients increased with Satureja. The third chapter demonstrated anthelmintic effects (reduction of fecal egge count) of Satureja sp. alone or blended with Carum sp., and Coriandrum sp. in non-lactating pregnant Sarda ewes naturally infested by gastro-intestinal parasites. The fourth chapter tested effects of blends of the same plants on milk production, rumen function and health of lactating Sarda ewes. Milk production was not affected by plants; rumen pH tended to be positively affected, but rumen volatile fatty acids were not affected by the plants; bacteria communities in the ruminal liquid were affected by the plants, and archaea rumen population were not clearly affected

Feeding strategies to design the fatty acid profile of sheep milk and cheese

The majority of sheep milk produced in the world is transformed into cheese. Feeding is a major factor affecting the quality of sheep milk and, therefore, of sheep cheese. Because fat is the main compound of cheese, this review gives an update on the effects of feeding and nutrition on milk fat content and deeply discusses feeding strategies aimed at increasing the levels of healthy fatty acids (FA), such as conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 FA, in milk and cheese in the human diet. In addition, the use of alternative feed resources such as by-products, aromatic plants, and phenolic compounds in the sheep diet and their effects on milk and cheese FA composition are also discussed. Among feeding strategies, grazing and the use of supplements rich in oils seem to be the best and the cheapest strategies to improve the nutritional value of the fatty acid profile in sheep cheese

Utilização de medidas biométricas para estimar peso vivo em ovinos

The objective was to evaluate the use of biometric measures to estimate body weight of meat-type sheep, using a total of 200 animals, 42 males and 158 females, between 2 and 42 months of age. Anterior and posterior heights, body length, heart girth, width of rump and chest and thigh circumference, were measured. Body compactness was also estimated as body weight/body length. Body weights were related to biometric values through linear regressions. Among the measures used, heart girth, body length and body compactness were the best options for predicting body weight, as their equations had the highest coefficients of determination, low coefficients of variation, and high significance (P <0.0001). In conclusion, the equations generated from the biometric measures of heart girth and body length can be used to estimate the body weight of male and female meat-type sheep of different breeds and ages.Objetivou-se avaliar o uso de medidas biométricas para estimar o peso corporal de ovinos, utilizando um total de 200 ovinos, sendo 42 machos e 158 fêmeas, entre 2 e 42 meses de idade. Realizou-se as medidas de altura anterior e posterior, comprimento de corpo, perímetro torácico, largura de garupa e de peito e perímetro de coxa. Foi estimada também a compacidade corporal. Os pesos foram relacionados aos valores biométricos através de regressões lineares simples, analisadas pelo programa SAS. Dentre as medidas utilizadas, o perímetro torácico, comprimento de corpo e a compacidade corporal apresentaram-se como as melhores opções para predizer o peso vivo, pois apresentaram equações com os mais altos coeficientes de determinação e baixos coeficientes de variação, além de elevada significância (P < 0,0001). Com base nos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que as equações geradas a partir das medidas biométricas de perímetro torácico e comprimento de corpo servem para estimar o peso vivo e compacidade corporal de ovinos de corte, machos e fêmeas, de diferentes raças e idades

Progresso científico em pequenos ruminantes na primeira década do século XXI Scientific progress in small ruminants in the first decade of 21st century

O interesse pelos pequenos ruminantes aumentou nos últimos anos sob os aspectos produtivo e científico. No Brasil, caprinos e ovinos são os que despertam maior interesse econômico. Assim, este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de discutir o progresso científico com caprinos e ovinos nos últimos dez anos. Foram pesquisadas várias bases de dados, entre elas as do Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), da Scientific Electronic Library Online - SciELO, da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES, do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística - IBGE e da Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO. Na última década, os pequenos ruminantes têm merecido especial atenção dos pesquisadores, o que pode ser comprovado pelo aumento de 41% nas publicações mundiais envolvendo estas espécies, o que foi acompanhado por aumento ainda mais expressivo, 219%, em âmbito nacional. A evolução também foi observada sob os aspectos metodológicos dos projetos, ressaltando a abordagem multidisciplinar nas pesquisas mais atuais. Nos últimos dez anos, houve crescimento do aporte de recursos para editais temáticos demandados pela sociedade e pela cadeia da carne e do leite, além da preocupação com qualidade, competitividade e sustentabilidade.<br>Worldwide interest in small ruminants has increased in recent years in both, the productive and scientific aspects. In Brazil, the same trend has been observed, however, among all small ruminants, goats and sheep can be highlighted. Thus, this review aimed to discuss scientific progress in goat and sheep in the last decade. Data were collected in different databases, such as Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), Scientific Electronic Library Online - SciELO, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística - IBGE and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO. In the last decade, goat and sheep have received particular attention from researchers, which can be proved by the number of publications involving these species, which increased 41% worldwide, and nationwide increase was even more expressive, 219%. Methodological aspects applied in researches have also improved, emphasizing multidisciplinary approach. Much of the scientific progress was due to increasing financial support through thematic calls demanded by society and by the productive chain of meat and milk. In these calls is noticeable the concern with product quality, competitiveness and sustainability

Comparação das Curvas de Crescimento em Caprinos Saanen e ⅞ Boer x Saanen

Biometric measures of young male and female goats were used to establish growth curves. Forty-nine females (24 Saanen and 25 of ⅞ Boer breeding), and 29 males (14 and 15, respectively), were evaluated from birth to weaning. They received colostrum the first two days of life, 1.5 L of milk twice daily from 3 to 45 d and 1.5 L once daily from 46 to 60 d; and starting at 5 d, Tífton grass hay ad libitum and 100 g daily of concentrates. The kids were weighed weekly and measured for body dimensions biweekly. Age was related to body weight and measurements by simple linear regressions. The growth curves of both breed groups were similar, but the numerical values of the Saanen females were significantly greater than those of the ⅞ Boer and the same was true of males of the two breed groups. Comparing males vs. females of both genetic types, the behaviour of the curves was similar, but males tended to have higher values. It is concluded that the growth curves obtained from body measures and weights can be used to follow bodily growth in goats of different breed groups and sexes.. Objetivou-se com o presente estudo a utilização de parâmetros biométricos de caprinos jovens, machos e fêmeas, das raças Saanen e ⅞ Boer para elaboração de curvas de crescimento. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus de Jaboticabal. Foram utilizadas 155 fêmeas, (110 Saanen e 45 da raça ⅞ Boer), e 180 machos, (130 da raça Saanen e 50 da raça ⅞ Boer), avaliados do nascimento ao desaleitamento. Os animais foram semanalmente pesados e quinzenalmente foram aferidas medidas biométricas. As idades ao desmame foram associadas aos pesos e valores biométricos através de regressões lineares simples. As curvas de crescimento apresentaram comportamentos semelhantes entre si, embora os valores numéricos obtidos nas cabritas Saanen sejam maiores que os obtidos nas cabritas ⅞ Boer. Esse mesmo comportamento foi observado nos machos de ambas raças. Comparando machos e fêmeas, observou-se que o comportamento das curvas é semelhante, tendo os machos valores mais elevados. Pode-se concluir que a curva de crescimento pode ser representada a partir de medidas biométricas e pesagens rotineiras, permitindo o acompanhamento do crescimento corporal

Ultrasonographic measurements of kidney fat thickness and Longissimus muscle area in predicting body composition of pregnant goats

Non-invasive methods for estimating body composition to monitor nutritional status in goats have been less studied. Therefore, this study estimated the body composition and fat depots of pregnant goats by using indirect measurements, such as bodyweight (BW) and ultrasound measurements of the Longissimus muscle area (LMA) and kidney fat thickness (KFT). Forty-three pregnant goats were slaughtered at 50, 80, 110 and 140 days of gestation to determine the gross energy and fat content in the body, as well as to obtain the mass of renal fat, omental fat and non-carcass fat. After the slaughter, the mass of fat depots was recorded and the whole body of the each animal was ground to take samples for determining gross energy (using a bomb calorimeter) and fat (Soxhlet extraction with ether). Animals were weighed, and ultrasonographic measurements were taken at the time of slaughter. The LMA and KFT measurements were taken between the 12th and 13th rib and after the 13th rib space, respectively, and these measurements were used to estimate total gross energy, body fat content and the renal fat, omental fat and non-carcass fat mass. Multiple regressions were performed using Proc mixed of SAS. No significant correlation was observed between gross energy and body fat composition, the number of fetuses or the days of gestation. LMA and BW were positively related to body fat and gross energy contents. KFT and BW showed a positive correlation with renal fat depots, omental fat content and non-carcass fat mass. The estimated models revealed that the total body fat increased from 15.6% to 20.8% of bodyweight from 50 to 140 days of gestation. This report is the first study using kidney fat thickness as a tool to predict fat depots in goats. LMA, BW and KFT measurements will enable the development of models to aid in the monitoring of the nutritional status of goats during pregnancy.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP