The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of slow release urea on N metabolism in cattle. The ruminal behavior of Optigen®II and the effect of basal diet on the in situ degradability of urea and Optigen®II were evaluated. The effect of slow release urea and its interaction with degradable intake protein (DIP) level in the diet on N retention and excretion was evaluated utilizing 8 Holstein steers in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment. In addition, the effect of slow release urea and DIP level on ruminal and systemic urea kinetics was evaluated using stable isotope techniques with 8 Holstein steers in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment. Finally, slow release urea was evaluated under a practical beef production setting. The performance of slow release urea was compared to regular feed grade urea in a 42 day receiving study (288 Angus cross steers) as well as a 70 day growing study (240 Angus cross steers). High forage diets increased the ruminal degradation rate of both urea and slow release urea an increased the extent of degradation of slow release urea when compared to high concentrate diets. Lower DIP concentrations in the diet reduced systemic urea production, ruminal ammonia and plasma urea concentrations and urinary urea excretion under most circumstances but also led to a reduction in N retention, reduced diet digestibility, lower feed intake, lower growth rate and decreased feed efficiency. High DIP intakes increased N retention, growth rate, diet digestibility and improved feed efficiency but also lead to increased excretion on urea N in the urine. Slow release urea improved N retention and efficiency of N retention in high DIP diets when compared to urea and generally reduced plasma urea and ruminal ammonia concentrations. Compared to urea, slow release urea did not significantly improve the production of receiving cattle. However Optigen®II improved the feed efficiency when compared to urea on high concentrate diets but reduced feed efficiency on high forage diets.

Breeding objectives in the turkey industry are heavily weighted towards improving growth traits. This thesis focused on methods to efficiently select for other important production traits such as reproduction, feed efficiency, and meat yield. Based on bivariate and random regression modeling it was determined that egg production, fertility, and hatchability were influenced by genotype by environment interactions and, as a result, the regulation of reproductive traits is by some unique genes in the summer and winter. This may be due to changes in day length and temperature. Feed efficiency is another important consideration in a breeding objective and feed conversion ratio and residual feed intake were both moderately heritable. Residual feed intake was also more independent of production traits than feed conversion. Feed intake, body weight, and weight gain were moderately heritable and progress can be made in feed efficiency by appropriately weighting these traits in an index. Infrared measures of surface temperature were then investigated to determine if they can be used to select for feed efficiency. Temperatures of the distal metatarsus, eye, neck, and head did not show a strong relationship to feed efficiency and therefore offer limited advantages to a breeding program. Selection for breast meat yield (BMY) is important and it was determined that breast muscle depth, measured with ultrasound technology, is heritable and highly correlated to the carcass trait. As a result, ultrasound traits can compliment conformation scoring and sibling testing in a breeding program to increase the accuracy of selection for BMY and increase response to selection. A deterministic model was also developed and could be used to determine optimum slaughter weight. This would optimise profits in an integrated system, enabling the industry to account for and capitalize on genetic gains. Overall, the population parameters and selection criteria identified for reproduction, efficiency, and meat yield traits identified in the present thesis could be used to increase selection efficiency in turkey breeding programs. Further, the developed production model can be used by the industry to slaughter turkeys at a time that maximizes profits, based on performance levels.

Resumo: Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar os efeitos do Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), Benzoato de sódio (BS) e suas associações (LPLB e LPBS) sobre a redução das perdas quantitativas e qualitativas das silagens de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM) e o controle da população de leveduras e fungos durante a exposição aeróbia das mesmas; os efeitos sobre a digestibilidade e o desempenho de cabritos alimentados com essas silagens; assim como a utilização da ultrassonografia e medidas biométricas como método indireto na estimativa das características da carcaça. Para tanto, foram realizados dois experimentos: no experimento 1 foram utilizados silos experimentais, nos quais foram determinadas as perdas de matéria seca (MS) por gases (PG), a recuperação de MS, teores de MS, nitrogênio amoniacal, valores de pH ocorrido durante a fermentação e estabilidade aeróbia (EA), assim como contagem de fungos e leveduras durante a EA das silagens. Na avaliação do processo fermentativo, utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC), em arranjo fatorial 6 X 6 (6 silagens e 6 tempos) e na fase de exposição aeróbia utilizou-se um DIC em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as parcelas representadas pelas silagens experimentais e as sub-parcelas pelos tempos de exposição (0, 4, 8 e 12 dias). O experimento 2 consistiu de dois ensaios de digestibilidade e um de desempenho utilizando-se 24 cabritos (16 ¾ Boer e ¼ Saanen e 8 Saanen puros) machos, castrados e confinados por 84 dias. Foram determinadas as medidas biométricas, condição corporal e as mensurações através do ultrassom no animal vivo, assim como as medidas da carcaça após o abate e resfriamento por 24 h. Utilizou-se o DIC em parcelas subdivididas, tendo na parcela um fatorial 4 X 2 (4 rações e 2 grupos genéticos) e na subparcela os ensaios. As rações foram compostas por feno de Tifton... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), Sodium benzoate (SB) and their associations (LPLB and LPBS) on the reduction of quantitative and qualitative losses of high moisture corn silages (HMCS) and the control of yeast and fungi populations during fermentation and aerobic exposition of the same, the effects on digestibility and performance of goats fed with these silages, as well as the use of ultrasound and biometric measures as indirect method to estimate the carcass characteristics. For this, two experiments were conducted: in the first experiment were used experimental silos, in which were determined the losses of dry matter for gases (GL), the recovery of dry matter (DM), levels of DM, ammonia nitrogen, pH values occurred during fermentation and aerobic stability (AS), as well as fungi and yeast counts during the AS of the silage. In evaluating of the fermentation process, was used the completely randomized design (CRD) in a factorial arrangement 6 X 6 (6 silages and 6 times) and in the aerobic exposition phase was used a split-plot in CRD, and the plots were represented by experimental silages and the sub-plots by time of exposition (0, 4, 8 and 12 days). The second experiment consisted of two digestibility trials and one about performance of 24 goats (16 ¾ Boer and ¼ Saanen and 8 Saanen blood pure) males, castrated and feedlot for 84 days. Biometric and ultrasound measures in the living animal were determined, as well as carcass measures after slaughtered and chilling for 24 hours. The CRD was used in split-plot arrangement, using in the plots a factorial 4 x 2 arrangement (4 rations and 2 genetic groups) and the sub-plots the trials. The rations were composed by Tifton 85 hay (53.3%), soybean meal (12.15%), urea (0.25%) and mineral mixture (2%), being added... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Kleber Tomás de Resende / Coorientadora: Izabelle Auxiliadora Molina de Almeida Teixeira / Banca: Silvio Doria de Almeida Ribeiro / Banca: Renata Helena Branco / Banca: Ricardo de Andrade Reis / Banca: Ana Claudia Ruggieri / Doutor

Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2015-01-30T10:33:42Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertacao - Rayanne Galdino Menezes - 2014.pdf: 1179257 bytes, checksum: 70e34711c8eed025bb688f9d09209573 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-01-30T12:23:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertacao - Rayanne Galdino Menezes - 2014.pdf: 1179257 bytes, checksum: 70e34711c8eed025bb688f9d09209573 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-01-30T12:23:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertacao - Rayanne Galdino Menezes - 2014.pdf: 1179257 bytes, checksum: 70e34711c8eed025bb688f9d09209573 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Feed efficiency of cattle and its correlation with feeding behavior and apparent digestibility of nutrients is the objective of this work. Feed efficiency is one of the most important traits in livestock .Processes responsible for more than 25% of feed efficiency variation have not been clarified. Explain variation sources and identifying efficient animals are the most importantobjectives for the beef cattle production nowadays. An alternative tool to evaluate the feed efficiency is the residual feed intake (RFI), was developed in 1963, but only in the 90’sit started to be used to identify and select efficient animals. Feeding behavior is directly related to feed ingested quantity, which differs in efficient or inefficient animals . The feeding behavior and apparent digestibility of 120 Nellore animalswere evaluated in completely randomized design with respect to feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the three classes of residual feed intake: low, medium and high RFI. The age and initial body weight were 20 months and 397 ± 35 kg. The animals were placed in individual pens fitted with feeding troughs and dri nkers. The diet offered to the animals consisted of 23% forage and 77% concentrate. The experimental period lasted 84 days, with weighings every 28 days. All weighings were preceded by fasting for 16 hours. The behavior evaluation was performed in a 24 hour period. Samples were collected from the diet offered and the leftovers at the beginning of adaptation and weekly during the experimental period, moreover, were also collected stool samples during three consecutive days at different times in order to obtain a sample throughout the day.The duration time of all activities was similar among the different groups.The variables evaluated digestibility did not differ (P > 0.05) between animals of three classes of RFI. It can be concluded that the RFI has no correlation with feeing behavior and apparent digestibility of nutrients in the diet. / A eficiência alimentar de bovinos e a sua correlação com comportamento ingestivo e digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes é o objetivo deste trabalho. A eficiência alimentar é uma das características mais importantes em animais de produção.Processos responsáveis por mais de 25% da variação da eficiência alimentar ainda não foram esclarecidos. Explicar as fontes de variação e identificar animais eficientessão objetivos importantes para a produção de bovinos de corte.Uma ferramenta alternativa para avaliar a eficiência alimentar é o consumo alimentar residual (CAR), que foi desenvolvido em 1963, porém começou a ser utilizado somente na década de 90 para identificar e selecionar animais mais eficientes. O comportamento ingestivo está diretamente associado à quantidade de alimento que o animal ingere, diferindo em animais mais ou menos eficientes. O comportamento ingestivo e a digestibilidade aparente da dieta de 120 animais da raça Neloreforam avaliados em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso divididos em três classes: baixo, médio e alto CAR . A idade e peso médio inicial foram de 20 meses e 397 ± 35 kg. Os animais foram alocados em baias individuais providas de cochos de alimentação e bebedouros. A dieta oferecida aos animais foi composta por 23% de volumoso e 77% de concentrado.O período experimental teve duração de 84 dias, com pesagens a cada 28 dias. Todas as pesagens eram precedidas por jejum alimentar de 16 horas. A avaliação comportamental foi realizada em um período de 24 horas. Foram coletadas amostras da dieta oferecida e das sobras no início da adaptação e semanalmente durante o período experimental, além disso, também foram coletadas amostras de fezes durante três dias consecutivos em horários diferentes a fim de obter uma amostra.O tempo de duração de todas as atividades foi similar entre os diferentes grupos.As variáveis de digestibilidade não diferiram (P>0,05) entre as três classes de CAR.Pode-se concluir que o CAR não possui correlação com comportamento ingestivo e digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da dieta.

Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2015-02-02T12:29:54Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Thiago Santos Almeida - 2014.pdf: 988937 bytes, checksum: f0f3c7b001d1f3f674d456d1ebc48b2b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-02-05T12:23:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Thiago Santos Almeida - 2014.pdf: 988937 bytes, checksum: f0f3c7b001d1f3f674d456d1ebc48b2b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-05T12:23:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Thiago Santos Almeida - 2014.pdf: 988937 bytes, checksum: f0f3c7b001d1f3f674d456d1ebc48b2b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The residual feed intake is a measure of feed efficiency that is independent of weight gain and adult weight. With this you can select efficient animals without compromising the size at maturity of the animals. Faced with the need to understand the factors that influence the variability in efficiency of feed utilization by cattle, aimed to evaluate the performance, behavior and estimated body composition of Bos Indicus . Hundred and nineteen Nellore with a mean age of 18 months (±36 days) and average weight of 392 kg (±47kg) for the classification of animals of high, medium and low feed efficiency were used . The experimental design was completely randomized and the criterion for classification of animals for residual feed intake (RFI) used was 0,5 standard deviations above or below the average, which showed a percentage of 32 % of the total for better efficiency (low RFI), 43,7 % average and 24,3 % showed low efficiency (high RFI). The animals were housed in individual pens for 83 days provided with feed trough and drinking fountain. The supplied diet contained 68,4 % total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 11,3 % crude protein (CP) in a ratio of 62,6 % concentrate and 37,4 % forage. The consumption ratio and the predicted dry matter intake observed showed a coefficient of determination of 0,5462. Metabolic mean body weight of the animals, the average daily gain, initial body weight, final and metabolizable energy intake showed no significant association with residual feed intake (P>0,05). Significant correlations between the CAR and dry matter intake (DMI) (r= 0,57), feed conversion (FC) (r=-0,38) and feed efficiency (EA) (r=0,42) were found. The less efficient animals that were older than those with the highest efficiency (P<0,05). As for the ultrasound measurements (loin eye area, fat thickness and rump fat thickness) and also for body composition (muscle tissue, fat and bone) there was no significant difference (P<0,05) between the classes CAR. The first evaluation of escape velocity (V1) showed a significant difference (P< 0,05) between classes of CAR, as well as the time lying ruminating (P<0,05). Selected for low RFI animals have better efficiency in the use of food without compromising body composition, and present more docile animals at the end of the study. / O consumo alimentar residual é uma medida de eficiência alimentar que independe do ganho de peso e do peso adulto. Com isso pode-se selecionar animais eficientes sem comprometer o tamanho à maturidade dos animais. Diante da necessidade de compreensão dos fatores que influenciam a variabilidade de eficiência da utilização de alimentos pelos bovinos, objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho, o comportamento e a estimativa da composição corporal de bovinos Bos Indicus. Foram utilizados 119 animais da raça Nelore com idade média de 18 meses (± 36 dias) e peso vivo médio de 392 kg (± 47 kg) para classificação de animais de alta, média e baixa eficiência alimentar. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado e o critério para classificação dos animais para consumo alimentar residual (CAR) utilizado foi o de 0,5 desvio-padrão acima ou abaixo da média, que apresentou percentual de 32% do total para melhor eficiência (baixo CAR), 43,7% média e 24,3% apresentaram baixa eficiência (alto CAR). Os animais ficaram alojados em baias individuais durante 83 dias providos de cocho de alimentação e bebedouro. A dieta fornecida continha 68,4% de nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e 11,3% de proteína bruta (PB) numa relação de 62,6% de concentrado e 37,4% de volumoso. A relação de consumo de matéria seca predito e o consumo observado apresentou um coeficiente de determinação de 0,5462. O peso corporal médio metabólico dos animais, o ganho médio diário, peso vivo inicial, final e consumo de energia metabolizável não apresentaram relação significativa com o consumo alimentar residual (P>0,05). Foram encontradas correlações significativas entre o CAR e o consumo de matéria de seca (CMS) (r=0,57), conversão alimentar (CA) (r=-0,38) e eficiência alimentar (EA) (r=0,42). Os animais menos eficientes apresentaram idade superior que os de maior eficiência (P<0,05). Quanto às medidas ultrassonográficas (área de olho de lombo, espessura de gordura subcutânea e espessura de gordura da picanha) e também à composição corporal (tecidos muscular, adiposo e ósseo) não houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre as classes de CAR. A primeira avaliação de velocidade de fuga (V1) apresentou diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre as classes de CAR, assim como o tempo de ruminação deitado (P<0,05). Animais selecionados para baixo CAR apresentam melhor eficiência na utilização de alimentos sem comprometer a composição corporal, além de apresentar animais mais dóceis ao final do estudo.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Two experiments were carried out in the Sheep Division of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), to determine energy and protein requirements of meat purpose wool lambs. Thirty 16 11 Texel 16 5 Ile de France crossbred intact male lambs, weaned at 42 days of age (16.2 ± 2.1 kg live weight (LW)) were used in trial 1 (comparative slaughter trial). After ten days of management and diet adaptation five lambs were randomly chosen and slaughtered (reference animals). Fifteen lambs were fed ad libitum and slaughtered at 25, 30 or 35 kg LW, and the remaining lambs were randomly assigned to 2 levels of DMI (either 70 or 55% of the ad libitum intake), being slaughtered together with lambs fed ad libitum and slaughtered at 35 kg LW. Total body N, fat and energy contents were determined. In the trial 2 (digestibility trial), six 16 11 Texel 16 5 Ile de France crossbred lambs (30.4 ± 2.6 kg LW) were housed in metabolic cages in a double 3 x 3 Latin Square Design. Nutritional value of the diet under the distinct feeding levels was evaluated. Decreased dry matter intake (DMI) resulted in linear increase of the digestibility and energy concentration of the diet (P<0.05). Body fleecefree protein content decreased with empty body weight (EBW) increasement. However, when protein in fleece was considered, total body protein was constant. Body fat content varied from 72.7 to 125.9 g/kg EBW, respectively for 13.1 and 28.2 kg EBW. Endogenous nitrogen loss was 243.2 mg/kg LW0.75/day, corresponding to a net protein requirement for maintenance of 1.52 g/kg LW0.75/day. Metabolizable protein requirement for maintenance was 2.31 g/kg LW0.75/day, and efficiency of protein use was 0.66. Net and metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance were 58.6 and 91.0 kcal/kg LW0.75/day, respectively. Consequently, estimated efficiency of energy use for maintenance (km) was 0.64. Net protein and energy requirements for weight gain of lambs at 15 and 35 kg LW, and daily LW gain of 250 g, were 32.5 and 33.1 g/day and 424 and 553 kcal/day, respectively. Efficiency of energy use for weight gain (kg) was 0.50, while efficiency of protein use for weight gain (knf) and wool growth (knw) were, respectively, 0.71 and 0.46. Growth pattern of the wool has a high influence on protein requirements of sheep. Texel x Ile de France crossbred growing lambs have lowest nutritional requirements than those recognized by most international Systems. / Com o objetivo de determinar as exigências energéticas e protéicas de cordeiros lanados de aptidão carne foram realizados dois experimentos nas dependências do Laboratório de Ovinocultura da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM). No experimento 1 (abate comparativo), foram utilizados trinta cordeiros 16 11 Texel 16 5 Ile de France, machos nãocastrados, desmamados aos 42 dias de idade com peso vivo (PV) médio de 16,2 ± 2,1 kg. Transcorridos dez dias para adaptação dos animais às condições experimentais, cinco cordeiros foram aleatoriamente sorteados e abatidos. Dentre os remanescentes, quinze animais foram alimentados ad libitum e abatidos aos 25, 30 ou 35 kg de PV, sendo, os demais, submetidos a dois níveis de restrição alimentar (70 ou 55% do consumo ad libitum). O abate destes últimos foi realizado juntamente com aqueles alimentados ad libitum e abatidos aos 35 kg de PV. Foram determinados os conteúdos corporais de nitrogênio, gordura e energia. No experimento 2 (ensaio de digestibilidade), seis cordeiros 16 11 Texel 16 5 Ile de France (30,4 ± 2,6 kg) foram mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas individuais, sob delineamento duplo Quadrado Latino 3x3, com objetivo de avaliar o valor nutricional da dieta sob os distintos níveis de consumo. A redução do consumo de matéria seca resultou em aumento linear da digestibilidade e da concentração energética da dieta (P<0,05). A concentração de proteína no corpo livre de lã diminui com o aumento do peso de corpo vazio (PCV). Quando considerada a proteína retida na lã, contudo, a concentração protéica corporal foi pouco variável com o avanço da maturidade. A concentração de gordura corporal variou entre 72,7 e 125,9 g/kg PCV, respectivamente, para os PCV de 13,1 e 28,2 kg. A excreção endógena de nitrogênio foi de 243,2 mg/kg PV0,75/dia, e correspondeu a exigência de proteína líquida para mantença de 1,52 g/kg PV0,75/dia. Por sua vez, a exigência de proteína metabolizável para mantença foi de 2,31 g/kg PV0,75/dia, com eficiência de uso (knm) igual a 0,66. A exigência de energia líquida para mantença foi de 58,6 kcal/kg PV0,75/dia e a de energia metabolizável de 91,0 kcal/kg PV0,75/dia. A eficiência de utilização da energia metabolizável para mantença (km), por sua vez, foi de 0,64. As exigências de proteína e energia líquidas para ganho de peso de cordeiros com 15 e 35 kg de PV, e ganho médio diário de 250 g, foram de 32,5 e 33,1 g/dia e 424 e 553 kcal/dia, respectivamente. A eficiência de utilização da energia metabolizável para ganho de peso (kg) foi de 0,50, e da proteína metabolizável para ganho de peso (knf) e crescimento da lã (knw) de 0,71 e 0,46, respectivamente. O padrão de crescimento da lã possui grande influência sobre as exigências protéicas de ovinos. Cordeiros 16 11 Texel 16 5 Ile de France em crescimento possuem exigências nutricionais inferiores às reportadas por grande parte dos Sistemas internacionais.

O consumo alimentar residual (CAR) é uma medida de eficiência alimentar independente do crescimento e do peso à maturidade. O melhoramento genético para CAR pode reduzir o custo de alimentação de bovinos, porém uma melhor compreensão dos processos biológicos relacionados ao CAR é necessária. Além disso, associações entre CAR e qualidade de carcaça têm sido pouco investigadas em raças zebuínas. Desta forma, o objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar o metabolismo protéico, a composição corporal, as características de carcaça e a qualidade de carne em bovinos zebuínos com alto e baixo CAR. Adicionalmente, foi testada a hipótese da existência de interações entre CAR e peso vivo ao abate para características de carcaça e composição corporal. Setenta e dois novilhos da raça Nelore (16 a 21 meses de idade, 334±19 kg de peso vivo inicial [PV]) foram mantidos em confinamento e alimentados ad libitum (74,5% NDT; 14,3%PB) por 70 dias. O consumo de matéria seca (CMS) e o ganho médio de peso (GMD) diários foram medidos individualmente. Os 12 novilhos com maior CAR e os 12 com menor CAR foram classificados como grupos de alto e baixo CAR, respectivamente (fase de seleção) e foram alimentados até quando alcançassem pesos vivo ao abate de 460, 490, 520 e 550 kg (fase de terminação). Antes do abate, foi realizada colheita total de urina para a determinação da excreção diária de 3-metil-histidina e da taxa fracional de degradação miofibrilar. A composição química corporal foi estimada pelo método de diluição isotópica utilizando óxido de deutério. A maciez objetiva da carne e a atividade de proteases cálcio-dependentes foram determinadas no músculo Longissimus. Na fase de seleção, novilhos com baixo CAR tiveram menores CMS, conversão alimentar, CAR e ganho de gordura sobre a garupa que novilhos com alto CAR, mas nenhuma diferença foi observada no GMD, no PV final, na gordura subcutânea e na área do Longissimus. Na fase de terminação, nenhuma interação foi observada entre CAR e PV ao abate. Não houve diferenças entre animais mais e menos eficientes quanto ao peso e rendimento de carcaça, gordura renal, pélvica e inguinal, vísceras, área de Longissimus, gordura subcutânea, marmorização, aparas e porção comestível. Novilhos com baixo CAR apresentaram menos gordura sobre o trato gastrintestinal (TGI) que novilhos com alto CAR. Não foram observadas diferenças quanto ao índice de fragmentação miofibrilar, força de cisalhamento e atividade do sistema calpaína. As taxas fracionais de degradação, síntese e acréscimo protéico foram similares entre os grupos de CAR. Novilhos Nelore com baixo CAR depositaram menos gordura subcutânea na carcaça em pesos vivos entre 340 e 460 kg. Em pesos mais elevados (460-550 kg), as características de carcaça e a composição corporal não foram influenciadas pelo CAR, mas indivíduos menos eficientes apresentaram maior massa de gordura visceral. A seleção de bovinos zebuínos para baixo CAR pode diminuir a ingestão de alimentos e melhorar sua eficiência alimentar, sem comprometer a qualidade da carne. / Residual feed intake (RFI) is a feed efficiency trait that is independent of growth rate and mature weight. Genetic improvement in RFI may reduce the costs of feeding cattle, however a better understanding of biological processes underlying variation in RFI is necessary. Moreover, associations between RFI and carcass quality have been poorly investigated in Zebu breeds. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate protein metabolism, body composition, carcass traits and meat quality in high- and low-RFI Zebu cattle. In addition, the hypothesis that there are interactions between RFI and harvest body weight for carcass traits and body composition was investigated. Seventy-two Nellore steers (16 to 21 month-old, 334±19 kg initial body weight [BW]) were fed a finishing ration (74.5% TDN, 14.3%CP) on an ad libitum basis, for 70 days. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) and body weight gain (ADG) were measured individually. The 12 lowest and the 12 highest RFI steers were classed as low- and high-RFI groups, respectively (selection phase), and were fed until reaching slaughter BW of 460, 490, 520 and 550 kg (finishing phase). Before slaughter, total urine was collected for determination of daily 3-methylhistidine excretion and myofibrillar protein breakdown rates. Body chemical composition was estimated by the isotope dilution method using deuterium oxide. Objective tenderness and Ca+2-dependent protease activities were measured on Longissimus muscle. In the selection phase, low-RFI steers had lower DMI, feed:gain, RFI, and ultrasound rump fat thickness gain than high-RFI cattle, but no differences were observed for ADG, final BW, ultrasound fat thickness and Longissimus area. In the finishing phase, no interactions were observed between RFI and slaughter BW. No differences between more and less efficient cattle were observed for hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, kidney, pelvic and inguinal fat, visceral mass, Longissimus area, backfat thickness, marbling score, trimmings and retail product yield. Low-RFI steers presented less fat on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) than high-RFI cattle. No differences were observed for myofibrillar fragmentation index, Warner-Bratzler shear force and calpain system activities. Fractional rates of protein degradation, synthesis and accretion were similar between high- and low-RFI cattle. Low-RFI Nellore steers may store less subcutaneous carcass fat at body weights ranging from 340 and 460 kg. At higher body weights (460-550 kg), carcass traits and body composition are not affected by RFI, but least efficient cattle present greater visceral fat mass. Breeding zebu cattle for improved RFI may decrease feed intake and improve feed efficiency without compromising meat quality.

A ensilagem de grãos de sorgo reconstituídos é uma forma de processamento que visa aumentar a disponibilidade dos nutrientes e consequentemente seu valor nutritivo. São poucos os trabalhos com relação ao uso de aditivos nesse processo, bem como, sua influência no desempenho de bovinos leiteiros. O sorgo é um cereal que, tradicionalmente tem menor valor comercial em relação ao milho. Dessa forma, buscar formas de aumentar seu valor nutritivo, assim como conservá-lo de maneira adequada é de extrema importância. Sendo assim, esse estudo foi dividido em duas etapas: Exp. 1) Foram testados aditivos químicos e microbianos em silagens de grãos de sorgo reconstituídos. Os tratamentos foram: (i) sem aditivo (Controle); (ii) Lactobacillus buchneri (5×105 ufc g-1 MN) (LB); (iii) Lactobacillus plantarum (5×105 ufc g-1 MN) (LP); (iv) LB + LP (Combo); (v) Lactobacillus buchneri + nitrito de sódio (1,5 g kg-1 MN de nitrito) (LBNit) e (vi) benzoato de sódio (2,0 g kg-1 MN) (Benz). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Maiores taxas de degradabilidade ruminal foram obtidas para os tratamentos LB e Combo, enquanto LBNit e BZ tiveram menores perdas fermentativas. As contagens de leveduras obtidas foram menores para os tratamentos LB, Combo, LBNit e BZ, o que explicou a maior estabilidade aeróbia obtida. As silagens com L. buchneri ou benzoato de sódio, apresentaram resultados satisfatórios quanto à manutenção da qualidade higiênica das silagens. Exp. 2) Com base nos dados obtidos no 1º experimento, foram avaliados a adição de L. buchneri e benzoato de sódio em silagens de grãos de sorgo reconstituídos para vacas leiteiras. As vacas foram alocadas em cinco quadrados latinos e quatro tratamentos: (i) silagem sem aditivo (Controle); (ii) silagem inoculada com L. buchneri (5×105 ufc g-1 MN) (LB); (iii) silagem tratada com benzoato de sódio (2,0 g kg-1 MN) (Benz) e (iv) sorgo grão moído fino (SGM). Os resultados evidenciaram maior solubilização da matriz proteica em ambos os tratamentos ensilados. As taxas de degradabilidade da MS foram maiores para Controle, LB e BZ. Obteve-se maior CMS para o SGM enquanto a produção de leite foi semelhante entre os tratamentos. A digestibilidade da dieta foi maior para os tratamentos Controle, LB e BZ comparado ao SGM. Os animais que receberam o tratamento SGM apresentaram maior tempo de ingestão e mastigação, reflexo do maior CMS. O uso de aditivos na ensilagem de grãos de sorgo reconstituídos se mostrou eficiente no controle de perdas, estabilidade aeróbia e no desepenho de vacas leiteiras. / The reconstituted sorghum grain silage is a type of processing which aims to increase the availability of nutrients and consequently its nutritional value. There are few reports about the use of additves in this process, as well its influence on the performance of dairy cows. Sorghum is a cereal that has traditionally lower price compared with maize. Thus, search for ways to increase their nutritional value and preserve appropriately is important. Therefore, this study was separated into two fases: Exp. 1) were tested the addition of chemical and microbial additives for reconstituted sorghum grain silage. The treatments were: (i) without additive (control); (ii) Lactobacillus buchneri (5 × 105 cfu g-1 FM) (LB); (iii) Lactobacillus plantarum (5 × 105 cfu g-1 FM) (LP); (iv) LB + LT (Combo); (v) Lactobacillus buchneri + sodium nitrite (1.5 g kg-1 FM nitrite) (LBNit) and (vi) sodium benzoate (2.0 g kg-1 FM) (Benz). The experimental design was entirely randomized with six treatments and four replications. Higher ruminal degradability rates were obtained for the LB and Combo treatments, while LBNit and BZ had lower fermentative losses. Yeasts counts were were lower for LB, Combo, LBNit and BZ, which explained the higher aerobic stability. Silages with L. buchneri and sodium benzoate, showed satisfactory results in maintaining the hygienic quality of silages. Exp. 2) Based on data obtained in the first experiment, were evaluated the addition of L. buchneri and sodium benzoate in reconstituted sorghum grain silages offered dairy cows. The cows were allocated in one of five Latin squares and four treatments: (i) silage without additive (Control); (ii) silage inoculated with L. buchneri (5 × 105 cfu g-1 FM) (LB); (iii) silage treated with sodium benzoate (2.0 g kg-1 FM) (Benz) and (iv) finely ground grain sorghum (SGM). The results showed increased solubilization of the protein matrix in Control, LB and BZ. The DM degradability rates were higher for Control, LB and BZ. The DMI was higher for SGM, while milk production was similar between treatments. The digestibility of the diet was higher for treatments Control, LB and BZ compared to the SGM. Animals which received the treatment SGM showed higher time consuming and chewing, reflection of the increased of DMI. The use of additives in reconstituted sorghum grain silage provided effective losses control, higher aerobic stability and better performance of dairy cows.

L'Europe du Nord-Ouest, plus particulièrement la France septentrionale, constitue durant le Pléistocène moyen et supérieur un carrefour biogéographique. Les populations animales, et donc les Hommes, y évoluent en fonction des variations climatiques et environnementales. La grande richesse des vestiges fauniques a permis de réaliser une étude archéozoologique et paléoécologique sur l'ensemble des niveaux de trois gisements datés du Pléistocène supérieur : Caours (Somme) pour l'Eemien, Le Rozel (Manche) et Mutzig (Bas-Rhin) pour le début Weichsélien. Une reprise partielle du matériel dentaire de Biache-Saint-Vaast (Pas-de-Calais) daté de la fin de Saalien a également été faite. L'étude des séries fauniques, majoritairement basée sur la réalisation de profils de mortalité et la détermination de la saisonnalité d'occupation des niveaux archéologiques, a permis de mettre en évidence des comportements de subsistance récurrents dans les différents gisements : chasse principalement ciblée sur les cervidés, transport sélectif des cadavres en fonction de la taille des animaux et exploitation intensive à but alimentaire avec la récupération de la viande, de la moelle et de la langue. Malgré une grande homogénéité dans la gestion du gibier et du territoire, certains comportements tendent à être plus variables : exploitation des cadavres à but utilitaire avec la récupération des peaux, des fourrures et l'utilisation des os en tant que retouchoir, et sélection d'individus en particulier en fonction de l'âge et/ou du sexe. Les Néandertaliens de France septentrionale montrent ainsi une grande homogénéité dans leurs comportements de subsistance, mais également une variabilité qui découle de leur adaptation constante à leur milieu. / Northwestern Europe is during the Middle and Late Pleistocene a biogeographical crossword, in particular Northern France. Large mammals and Humans are present depending on the climatic and environmental variations. The huge amount of preserved bones coming from archaeological sites allowed to make zooarchaeology and palaeoecology studies of the complete sequences of three sites dated from Upper Pleistocene: Caours (Somme) from the Eemian, Le Rozel (Manche) et Mutzig (Bas-Rhin) from the Early Weichselian. Large mammals teeth from Biache-Saint-Vaast (Pas-de-Calais), dated from the end of the Saalian, were also partially studied. The zooarchaeological research was mainly focused on the use of mortality profils and the determination of seasonnality. It was then possible to determine some general behavior, recurrent in several sites, as preference of cervids, selective transport of animals depending on the weight of the mammals, and intensive use with alimentary research marked by the collect of meat, marrow and tongue. Despite that, some behavior seem to be more specific, like a non-alimentary purpose of corpses with use of skin, fur and bones as retouchers, as well as preferential hunting based on age and/or sex of the individuals. Thus, Neandertalians' behavior from Northern France is characterized by a certain homogeneity, but also by a variability that results from the constant adaptation of their environment.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-01-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:25:10Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_rv_dr_jabo.pdf: 622405 bytes, checksum: 675f6cc1469564dbb7aea9fff46bae14 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar os efeitos do Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), Benzoato de sódio (BS) e suas associações (LPLB e LPBS) sobre a redução das perdas quantitativas e qualitativas das silagens de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM) e o controle da população de leveduras e fungos durante a exposição aeróbia das mesmas; os efeitos sobre a digestibilidade e o desempenho de cabritos alimentados com essas silagens; assim como a utilização da ultrassonografia e medidas biométricas como método indireto na estimativa das características da carcaça. Para tanto, foram realizados dois experimentos: no experimento 1 foram utilizados silos experimentais, nos quais foram determinadas as perdas de matéria seca (MS) por gases (PG), a recuperação de MS, teores de MS, nitrogênio amoniacal, valores de pH ocorrido durante a fermentação e estabilidade aeróbia (EA), assim como contagem de fungos e leveduras durante a EA das silagens. Na avaliação do processo fermentativo, utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC), em arranjo fatorial 6 X 6 (6 silagens e 6 tempos) e na fase de exposição aeróbia utilizou-se um DIC em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as parcelas representadas pelas silagens experimentais e as sub-parcelas pelos tempos de exposição (0, 4, 8 e 12 dias). O experimento 2 consistiu de dois ensaios de digestibilidade e um de desempenho utilizando-se 24 cabritos (16 ¾ Boer e ¼ Saanen e 8 Saanen puros) machos, castrados e confinados por 84 dias. Foram determinadas as medidas biométricas, condição corporal e as mensurações através do ultrassom no animal vivo, assim como as medidas da carcaça após o abate e resfriamento por 24 h. Utilizou-se o DIC em parcelas subdivididas, tendo na parcela um fatorial 4 X 2 (4 rações e 2 grupos genéticos) e na subparcela os ensaios. As rações foram compostas por feno de Tifton... / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), Sodium benzoate (SB) and their associations (LPLB and LPBS) on the reduction of quantitative and qualitative losses of high moisture corn silages (HMCS) and the control of yeast and fungi populations during fermentation and aerobic exposition of the same, the effects on digestibility and performance of goats fed with these silages, as well as the use of ultrasound and biometric measures as indirect method to estimate the carcass characteristics. For this, two experiments were conducted: in the first experiment were used experimental silos, in which were determined the losses of dry matter for gases (GL), the recovery of dry matter (DM), levels of DM, ammonia nitrogen, pH values occurred during fermentation and aerobic stability (AS), as well as fungi and yeast counts during the AS of the silage. In evaluating of the fermentation process, was used the completely randomized design (CRD) in a factorial arrangement 6 X 6 (6 silages and 6 times) and in the aerobic exposition phase was used a split-plot in CRD, and the plots were represented by experimental silages and the sub-plots by time of exposition (0, 4, 8 and 12 days). The second experiment consisted of two digestibility trials and one about performance of 24 goats (16 ¾ Boer and ¼ Saanen and 8 Saanen blood pure) males, castrated and feedlot for 84 days. Biometric and ultrasound measures in the living animal were determined, as well as carcass measures after slaughtered and chilling for 24 hours. The CRD was used in split-plot arrangement, using in the plots a factorial 4 x 2 arrangement (4 rations and 2 genetic groups) and the sub-plots the trials. The rations were composed by Tifton 85 hay (53.3%), soybean meal (12.15%), urea (0.25%) and mineral mixture (2%), being added... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)