Parâmetros ruminais e desaparecimento da MS, PB e FDN da forragem em bovinos suplementados em pastagem na estação seca Ruminal parameters and DM, CP and NDF forage disappearance of supplemented steers under grazing, during the dry season

O trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de determinar o efeito de suplementos concentrados com diferentes degradabilidades da proteína (alta-70%, média-50% e baixa-30%) e o efeito da quantidade dos mesmos (0,5, 1,0 e 1,5 kg de MS/dia) sobre os parâmetros ruminais (pH e N-NH3) e o desaparecimento da MS, PB e FDN da forragem em bovinos pastejando Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu no período da seca. Foram utilizados 10 novilhos canulados no rúmen com peso médio de 354 kg em um esquema fatorial com três repetições (blocos). Não houve influência da degradabilidade protéica e/ou quantidade de suplemento sobre os valores de pH ruminal, que variaram de 6,38 a 6,91. As concentrações de N-NH3 ruminal foram crescentes com o aumento da degradabilidade do suplemento e quantidade de suplementação, sendo maiores uma hora após o fornecimento do suplemento e decrescendo até cinco horas. O tratamento-controle apresentou concentrações de N-NH3 consideradas adequadas para boa atividade microbiana. Não houve efeito da degradabilidade protéica do suplemento ou quantidade na degradação ruminal da MS, PB e da FDN da forragem, não diferindo do tratamento-controle. Quanto aos parâmetros de degradação ruminal da forrageira, os valores médios foram de 29% para a fração solúvel da PB e de de 47% para a insolúvel potencialmente degradável, com taxa de degradação de 4,88%. Para FDN, a fração potencialmente degradável foi de 56% e a taxa de degradação, de 4,33%.<br>The objective this work was to evaluate the effect of protein supplements with three degradability levels (high-70%, medium-50% and low-30%) at three levels (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg/day) on the ruminal pH, N-NH3 and DM, CP, NDF degradability of forage fed steers grazing Brachiaria brizantha cv. Maradu, during the dry season. The experiment design was a randomized complete block with three replications (grazing periods) and the supplement treatments were arranged in a factorial 3x3. Ten rumen-fistuled steers with 354 kg live weight, were used. There was not effect of the protein degradability and/or level of supplementation on the ruminal pH values with variety from 6.38 to 6.91. The concentrations of N-NH3 ruminal increased as the degradability and levels of supplementation increased, and were higher one hour after feeding, and decreasing until five hours. The control showed N-NH3 concentrations within the limits considered adequate for a good microbial activity. There was no effect of the protein degradability and/or level of supplementation on the CP and NDF ruminal degradation of forage, and these values were not different from the control, where 29% CP constituted the soluble fraction and 47% was the insoluble potentially degradable, with the rate of degradation of 4.88%. NDF was 56% potentially degradable at the rate of 4.33%

Teaching communication skills to clinical students.

Seven years' experience in teaching communication skills to first year clinical students at St Mary's Hospital School of Medicine is described. The first component consists of a day during the introductory clinical course; this is divided into a lecture and small seminar groups and involves behavioural scientists and clinicians from many departments. The second component uses simulated patients and video feedback and takes place in small groups later in the year. Participation of the students through active critical discussion, role play, and interactive video feedback are important aspects in the success of the course. The methods have been refined through evaluation by students and tutors. This article aims to allow others, already running or considering such a course, to develop effective courses within the practical constraints of their own institutions