Effect of lactation stage and concurrent pregnancy on milk composition in the bottlenose dolphin

Although many toothed whales (Cetacea: Odontoceti) lactate for 2–3 years or more, it is not known whether milk composition is affected by lactation stage in any odontocete species. We collected 64 pooled milk samples spanning 1–30 months postpartum from three captive bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. Milks were assayed for water, fat, crude protein (TN × 6.38) and sugar; gross energy was calculated. Ovulation and pregnancy were determined via monitoring of milk progesterone. Based on analysis of changes in milk composition for each individual dolphin, there were significant increases (P<0.05) in fat (in all three dolphins) and crude protein (in two of three), and a decrease (P<0.05) in water (in two of three) over the course of lactation, but the sugar content did not change. In all three animals, the energy content was positively correlated with month of lactation, but the percentage of energy provided by crude protein declined slightly but significantly (P<0.05). At mid-lactation (7–12 months postpartum, n=17), milk averaged 73.0±1.0% water, 12.8±1.0% fat, 8.9±0.5% crude protein, 1.0±0.1% sugar, 1.76±0.09 kcal g−1 (=7.25 kJ g−1) and 30.3±1.3% protein:energy per cent. This protein:energy per cent was surprisingly high compared with other cetaceans and in relation to the growth rates of calves. Milk progesterone indicated that dolphins ovulated and conceived between 413 and 673 days postpartum, following an increase in milk energy density. The significance of these observed compositional changes to calf nutrition will depend on the amounts of milk produced at different stages of lactation, and how milk composition and yield are influenced by sampling procedure, maternal diet and maternal condition, none of which are known

Relação materno-filial da raça Morada Nova recebendo dietas com três níveis de energia, ao final da gestação Ewe-lambs relationship in Morada Nova breed under three energy levels at the end of gestation

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de energia ofertados no terço final da gestação sobre o comportamento materno-filial de animais da raça Morada Nova. O experimento consistiu de três tratamentos - três grupos de oito matrizes, alimentadas com dietas isoprotéicas contendo diferentes níveis energéticos (2,0; 2,4 e 2,8 Mcal EM/kg MS), com oito repetições cada. Observou-se efeito dos tratamentos sobre as variáveis comportamentais maternas avaliadas (vocalização, ato de cheirar e lamber a cria e a posição da ovelha em - pé ou deitada), nas ovelhas, mas não foi observada diferença para os comportamentos filiais (posição da cria, tempo decorrido do nascimento à primeira vez que ficou de pé, tempo decorrido do nascimento à primeira mamada, tempo total de mamadas) dos cordeiros. A mobilização de reservas ou o carreamento direto de nutrientes da dieta para o crescimento fetal normal, nos grupos alimentos com dietas contendo 2,0 e 2,4 Mcal EM/kg MS, minimizaram os possíveis efeitos sobre o comportamento filial dos cordeiros. Mesmo sob interferência no relacionamento com as crias, ovelhas Morada Nova conseguiram manter as condições dos cordeiros inalteradas em todos os tratamentos.<br>The present work was carried out with the objective to evaluate the effects of different energy levels offered in the final third of gestation on the ewe-lambs behavior of animals from the Morada Nova breed. The experiment was divided into three treatments - three groups of eight ewes, fed isoprotein diets containing different energy levels (2.0, 2.4, and 2.8 Mcal ME/kg DM), with eight replicates each. There was effect of the treatment on the maternal behavior evaluated variables (vocalization, act of smell and lick the lambs and the position of the ewe - stand up or lying), in the ewes, but no difference was observed for the filial behavior (position of animal, time from the birth to the first time that the animal was up, time from the birth to the first sucking and total time sucking) of the lambs. The mobilization of reserves or the direct carrying of nutrients of the diet for normal fetal growth, in the groups fed with diets containing 2.0 and 2.4 Mcal ME/kg DM, minimized the possible effects on the filial behavior of lambs. The mobilization of reserves or direct carry of nutrients of the diet for normal fetal growth, in the groups fed with diets containing 2.0 and 2.4 Mcal ME/kg DM, minimized the possible effect on the filial behavior of lambs. Despite the interference in their relationship with the kids, ewes Morada Nova attained to keep the conditions of the lambs unchanged in all treatments

Phytase enzyme in diets containing defatted rice bran for growing swine Enzima fitase dietas com farelo de arroz desengordurado para suínos em crescimento

Organic phosphorus is poorly utilized by monogastric animals because they lack phytase, the enzyme that cleaves the ortho-phosphate groups from the phytate molecule. Diets fed to pigs are supplemented with inorganic P, and this can increase environmental pollution and diet costs. Sixty mixed sex, half-breed pigs, were used to evaluate the effect of increasing dietary levels of phytase (253, 759, 1265 and 1748 PU kg-1 feed) on animal performance as compared to a control without phytase but supplemented with dicalcium phosphate. Enzyme levels did not affect daily feed intake, food conversion, average daily weight gain, plasma P and Ca, calcium and phosphorus in bone ash, and the calcium/phosphorus ratio in the plasma and bones. A quadratic relationship between phytase levels and the percentages of P and Ca in bone ash was observed, reaching a maximum at the 880 and 879 PU levels, respectively. Animals fed diets containing phytase presented low plasma P values when compared to the control, but no effects were observed for the regression analysis. Using 759 PU phytase in rations containing corn, soybean bran and defatted rice bran for growing pigs can eliminate the use of traditional sources of P.<br>Os animais monogástricos não aproveitam eficientemente o P orgânico das dietas, pois não sintetizam a enzima fitase, sendo necessária a suplementação das rações com P inorgânico, podendo elevar o custo das dietas e a poluição ambiental. Foram utilizados 60 leitões mestiços (machos castrados e fêmeas) para avaliar a eficácia dos níveis dietéticos crescentes da enzima fitase (253, 759, 1265 e 1748 UF kg-1 de ração) sobre os parâmetros de desempenho e comparar com o tratamento testemunha que diferia dos demais por não conter fitase e por conter fosfato bicálcico. Os níveis da enzima fitase não afetaram o consumo diário de ração, conversão alimentar, ganho diário de peso, P e Ca no plasma, cinzas no osso e relação cálcio e fósforo no plasma e osso. Observou-se relação quadrática entre os níveis dietéticos de fitase e a porcentagem de P e Ca nas cinzas ósseas, com ponto de maximo no nível de 880 e 879 UF respectivamente. As dietas com fitase propiciaram valores inferiores para o fósforo no plasma quando comparados com o tratamento testemunha, mas não apresentaram efeitos para análise de regressão. A utilização de 759 UF em rações à base de milho, farelo de soja e farelo de arroz desengordurado para suínos na fase de crescimento permite a eliminação das fontes tradicionais de P