Two trials were conducted to evaluate effects of grain adaptation protocol on subacute acidosis, feeding behaviour and ADG of cattle. In trial one, 12 crossbred heifers (384 ¡À 25 kg) were stepped from 40% to 90% dietary concentrate by either rapid adaptation (RA; one step-up diet fed for 3 d) or by gradual adaptation (GA; five step-up diets fed for 3 d each). Mean daily ruminal pH variables did not differ (P > 0.10) between treatments but variances of a number of ruminal pH variables were greater (P < 0.05) for RA than GA during adaptation to 65% and 90% concentrate. Mean hourly pH did not differ over the first 24 h of adaptation to 65% concentrate, but variance of hourly pH tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for RA than GA for eight of the first 24 h of adaptation to 90% concentrate. Increased variance in ruminal pH parameters was associated with detection of acidosis in certain individuals. On d 1 of 90% concentrate, ruminal pH tended (P = 0.07) to be lower at 11 and 12 h post-feeding with RA than with GA. Ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA) and osmolality were similar between treatments. In trial two, 120 crossbred heifers (366 ¡À 23 kg) were adapted from 40% to 90% concentrate. A protocol identical to trial one was used with the addition of moderate adaptation (MA; three step-up diets fed for 3 d each). The increase to 65% concentrate caused reduced daily bunk attendance and increased maximum intermeal interval for RA compared to MA and GA cattle but the increase to 90% did not. ADG was reduced for RA compared to MA or GA during adaptation but over day 1 to 69 ADG did not differ between treatments (P ¡Ý 0.41). Current management strategies for preventing acidosis in pens of cattle are based on responses of the most susceptible individuals. Improved understanding of individual responses to acidotic challenge may allow development of more effective acidosis prevention practices.

Two trials were conducted to evaluate effects of grain adaptation protocol on subacute acidosis, feeding behaviour and ADG of cattle. In trial one, 12 crossbred heifers (384 ¡À 25 kg) were stepped from 40% to 90% dietary concentrate by either rapid adaptation (RA; one step-up diet fed for 3 d) or by gradual adaptation (GA; five step-up diets fed for 3 d each). Mean daily ruminal pH variables did not differ (P > 0.10) between treatments but variances of a number of ruminal pH variables were greater (P < 0.05) for RA than GA during adaptation to 65% and 90% concentrate. Mean hourly pH did not differ over the first 24 h of adaptation to 65% concentrate, but variance of hourly pH tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for RA than GA for eight of the first 24 h of adaptation to 90% concentrate. Increased variance in ruminal pH parameters was associated with detection of acidosis in certain individuals. On d 1 of 90% concentrate, ruminal pH tended (P = 0.07) to be lower at 11 and 12 h post-feeding with RA than with GA. Ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA) and osmolality were similar between treatments. In trial two, 120 crossbred heifers (366 ¡À 23 kg) were adapted from 40% to 90% concentrate. A protocol identical to trial one was used with the addition of moderate adaptation (MA; three step-up diets fed for 3 d each). The increase to 65% concentrate caused reduced daily bunk attendance and increased maximum intermeal interval for RA compared to MA and GA cattle but the increase to 90% did not. ADG was reduced for RA compared to MA or GA during adaptation but over day 1 to 69 ADG did not differ between treatments (P ¡Ý 0.41). Current management strategies for preventing acidosis in pens of cattle are based on responses of the most susceptible individuals. Improved understanding of individual responses to acidotic challenge may allow development of more effective acidosis prevention practices.

Stocking density serves as a sub-clinical stressor impacting natural behavior and affective state of dairy cows. However, cows rarely experience stocking density as an isolated stressor. Understanding the effects of stocking density with additional management stressors such as low-fiber diets or feed restriction is the next step in alleviating stress and improving the well-being of lactating dairy cows housed in freestall barns. The overall goal of this dissertation was to evaluate the interaction of stocking density and the feeding environment on short-term production, behavioral, ruminal fermentation, and stress responses of lactating dairy cattle. The first two studies (Chapter 2 and 3) served as preliminary research for the main studies of this dissertation. The first study objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of using chopped wheat straw to reduce sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in order to formulate diets for the first main study. Treatments were low straw (0 kg dry matter (DM)/d; LS) and high straw (1.36 kg DM/d; HS). High straw appeared to effectively reduce SARA by lowering time below pH 5.8 with minimal impact on feed intake and rumination. The second study objective was to evaluate the effect of type of blood collection tube on haptoglobin concentration across two commercially-available haptoglobin assays and evaluate assay agreement in order to determine haptoglobin concentrations for the main studies. Lithium heparinized, sodium heparinized, and K2-EDTA plasma resulted in increased haptoglobin concentrations compared to serum using the Tri-Delta colorimetric assay, but no differences were observed using the Life Diagnostics ELISA assay. However, there was a lack of agreement between assays and further identification of a gold-standard assay is needed before analyzing haptoglobin for the main studies. The third study (Chapter 4) investigated the interaction of stocking density (100% and 142% of freestalls and headlocks) and source of forage fiber (no added straw and added straw at 3.5% ration DM). Treatments did not impact feed intake, but straw diets tended to reduce milk production. Increasing stocking density reduced lying time but increased efficiency of stall use. Though feeding and rumination times were unaffected, overstocking shifted the location of rumination away from the freestall. Increased stocking density tended to increase stress responses. Both greater stocking density and no straw diets increased SARA, and the combination of these stressors tended to exacerbate this pH response. Adding straw to the diet reduced the negative impacts of overstocking on ruminal pH. The fourth study (Chapter 5) evaluated the interaction of stocking density (100% and 142%) and feed access (5-h reduced feed access and no reduced feed access). Treatments had minimal impact on short-term feed intake and production. Overstocking affected behavior similar to responses observed in Chapter 4. Reducing feed access decreased feeding time, though cows altered feeding and rumination responses to maintain daily rumination. Both treatments shifted priorities for feeding and lying behavior, though increased stocking density had the larger impact. Though reduced feed access did not impact ruminal pH, an exacerbated response was observed when combined with increased stocking density. The combination of stocking density and feeding environment stressors exacerbate negative effects on biological function and should be avoided.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Barry J. Bradford / Wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) is commonly included in lactation rations for dairy cattle. Research at Kansas State University has shown that increasing WCGF inclusion decreased ruminal pH. Lack of adequate particle size may result in this decrease and can impact efficiencies, animal health and longevity. A study was conducted to look at the effects of feeding WCGF while maintaining > 10% of particles > 19 mm across diets. We hypothesized that as WCGF increased, DMI and milk yield would increase while ruminal pH would be maintained. Seven ruminally-cannulated, lactating Holstein cows were used in an incomplete 4 × 4 Latin square design with treatments of 0, 12.4, 24.5 or 35.1% WCGF across 4 periods of 21 d. Alfalfa hay was used to maintain particle size. All diets met particle size goals; however, as WCGF increased, the proportion of particles > 19 mm decreased (P = 0.01) and cows changed their sorting behavior in favor of particles > 19 mm (P = 0.03) and against particles on the bottom screen (P < 0.01) and pan (P = 0.01). As WCGF increased, ruminal pH and ECM/DMI were not affected, yet DMI (P = 0.02) and milk yield (P = 0.02) increased quadratically. Milk protein, lactose and fat concentrations were not affected; however, milk protein (P = 0.004; linear) and lactose (P = 0.02; quadratic) yields increased. In a separate study, active dry yeast (ADY) products, commonly used in the dairy industry to support ruminal health, were evaluated for product guarantees and effects of storage and storage medium. Few products received through normal distribution met product guarantees (1 of 6; experiment 1) and after 3 mo of storage cell viability dropped significantly (P < 0.01). In the second experiment, products were stored in ground corn or in a vitamin-trace mineral mix (VTM). Depressions in viability caused by high-temperature storage were partially mitigated when ADY products were stored with a VTM. Although both mediums resulted in lower cell viabilities after storage at 40ºC, VTM cell viabilities were significantly (P = 0.02) higher than ground corn.

O efeito do caroço de algodão moído (CAM) na alimentação de cordeiros(as) foi avaliado em três experimentos. As dietas foram isonitrogenadas (16% PB) e composta por 90% de concentrado e 10% de feno de \"coastcross\". Experimento 1: Quarenta e cinco cordeiros Dorper x Santa Inês (PC inicial de 21,3±3,7 kg e 79±6 dias) foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados. Os tratamentos foram definidos de acordo com os teores de CAM na dieta: 0, 7, 14, 21 ou 28% na MS. Na 3ª e 6a semanas do confinamento foi avaliado o comportamento ingestivo dos cordeiros. Amostras do músculo L. dorsi foram usadas para a avaliação da carne e determinação do perfil de ácidos graxos. Houve redução linear no peso final dos animais e no CMS. Na avaliação do comportamento ingestivo houve redução linear na ruminação em Min/g de FDN. Com a redução no peso final, as características da carcaça também reduziram linearmente. Houve alteração no perfil de ácidos graxos com redução linear para palmitoleico, oleico e monoinsaturados, enquanto o ácido linoleico aumentou. Foi observado efeito quadrático para esteárico, vacênico, linolênico e insaturados. A inclusão do CAM afetou negativamente o desempenho e as características da carcaça e demostrou baixa capacidade em estimular a ruminação. Experimento 2: Cinco machos inteiros, Dorper x Santa Inês, canulados no rúmen, foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental quadrado latino 5x5 para avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de CAM na digestibilidade das dietas, metabolismo de nitrogênio e parâmetros ruminais. As dietas experimentais foram as mesmas do Exp. 1. No último dia de colheita de amostras, o conteúdo ruminal foi amostrado. A digestibilidade da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e carboidratos não fibrosos apresentaram redução linear. Entretanto, a digestibilidade do EE apresentou efeito quadrático e a FDN não foi afetada. Houve efeito quadrático para AGCC totais e propionato, redução linear no acetato e aumento linear do pH ruminal. O nitrogênio amoniacal não foi afetado. Experimento 3: Vinte e uma cordeiras White Dorper x Santa Inês (PC inicial de 23,6±1,2 kg e 87,7±4,5 dias) foram utilizadas em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados. As dietas experimentais foram: CA0 - controle, sem caroço de algodão; CAI21 - com 21% de caroço de algodão inteiro; e CAM21 - com 21% de caroço de algodão moído. Amostras do músculo L. dorsi foram coletadas para as análises físico-químicas e avaliação sensorial. O painel sensorial foi composto por 80 provadores não treinados. A cor da carne apresentou diferença quando comparado o tratamento controle com o grupo que recebeu caroço de algodão (CA21=CAI21+CAM21) (L:29,6vs36,7; a*:9,0vs7,5; b*:11,0vs8,7). Na avaliação sensorial o tratamento controle apresentou melhores notas para textura (6.5vs5.9), suculência (6.8vs6.1), aceitação global (6.2vs5.6), e sabor (6.0vs5.5) quando comparado com o CA21. Não foi observado efeito da moagem do CA em nenhuma das características avaliadas. A adição de caroço de algodão inteiro ou moído na alimentação de cordeiras em confinamento influenciou negativamente a qualidade sensorial da carne mostrando que seu uso deve ser restrito. / The effects of feeding ground linted cottonseed (GCS) to feedlot lambs were determined in three trials. The diets were isonitrogenous (16% CP) and composed of 90% concentrate and 10% hay \"coastcross\". Experiment 1: Forty-five ram lambs, Dorper x Santa Inês (initial BW of 21.3±3.7 kg and 79±6 days) were distributed in a randomized complete block design. Experimental treatments were defined according to the level of GCS in the diet: 0, 7, 14, 21 or 28% in the DM. In the 3rd and 6th weeks of the feedlot was evaluated the ingestive behavior of the lambs. L. dorsi muscle samples were used for the evaluation of meat and determination of fatty acid profile. There was a linear decrease in final weight of the animals and in DMI. There was a linear decrease in rumination Min/g of NDF. With the reduction in final weight, carcass characteristics also decreased linearly. There was a change in fatty acid profile with a linear reduction of palmitoleic acid, oleic and monounsaturated fatty acids, while linoleic acid increased. There was a quadratic effect for stearic, vaccenic, linolenic acid and total unsaturated. The inclusion of GCS negatively affected the performance and carcass characteristics and demonstrated low capacity to stimulate rumination. Experiment 2: Five ram lambs, Dorper x Santa Inês (45.2 ± 0.8 kg at the beginning of the trial), cannulated in the rumen, were distributed in a 5x5 Latin square design to determine the effects of adding GCS in the diet digestibility, nitrogen metabolism and rumen constituents. Each experimental period lasted 22 days, 17 days for adaptation and 5 days for sampling. The treatments were the same of Exp. 1. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates decrease linearly. However, the digestibility of EE had a quadratic effect and NDF was not affected. There was a quadratic effect for total SCFA and propionate, and a linear decrease for acetate. Ruminal pH increased linearly. Ammonia nitrogen was not affected. Experiment 3: The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of feeding high-concentrate diets with whole or ground cottonseed on growth, carcass characteristics, sensory evaluation and meat quality of ewe lambs. Twenty-one White Dorper x Santa Inês ewe lambs (initial BW = 23.6 ± 1.2 kg and 87.7± 4.5 days) were used in a randomized complete block design according to initial BW and age. The experimental diets were: 1) CS0: control, without cottonseed; 2) WCS21: with 21% of whole cottonseed; and 3) GCS21: with 21% of ground cottonseed. Samples of longissimus muscle were used for meat quality analysis and sensory evaluation. Sensory test was performed by 80 untrained panelists. Color was different when the control diet was compared with the cottonseed (CS21=WC21+GC21) groups (L:29.6vs36.7; a*:9.0vs7.5; b*:11.0vs8.7). The control group had greater tenderness (6.5vs5.9), succulence (6.8vs6.1), acceptability (6.2vs5.6), and flavor (6.0vs5.5) values compared with CS21. In conclusion, whole or ground cottonseed fed to feedlot ewe lambs had a detrimental effect on sensory evaluation showing that its use should be restricted.

Aditivos são amplamente utilizados em dietas ricas em concentrado para prevenir distúrbios metabólicos. A alga calcária, Lithothamnium calcareum, produto natural e renovável, fonte de carbonato de cálcio, pode ser uma alternativa na prevenção destes distúrbios. Este estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar o efeito das fontes de cálcio, com ou sem monensina sódica na dieta, no controle da acidose ruminal de bovinos Nelore recebendo de forma abrupta uma dieta com elevada proporção (92,3%) de concentrado. Oito bovinos portadores de cânulas ruminais foram distribuídos em um delineamento quadrado latino (4x4) duplo. Os tratamentos foram a adição a dieta base com diferentes fontes de cálcio, calcário calcítico (CC) ou produto a base de alga calcária (AC), com (CMO) ou sem (SMO) a presença de monensina. A inclusão de CC, AC e monensina foi, respectivamente, de 7,1 g/kg, 7,4 g/kg e 30 mg/kg MS. Não houve efeito das fontes de cálcio e da monensina sobre o consumo alimentar e concentração total dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta. Os tratamentos com AC resultaram em maior pH ruminal médio (P=0,039), menor tempo com pH ruminal abaixo de 5,2 (P&lt;0,001) e um maior pH sanguíneo (P=0,006). Os tratamentos com monensina apresentaram menor tempo com pH ruminal abaixo de 5,2 (P=0.023). O produto a base de alga calcária pode ser uma boa alternativa para prevenir distúrbios metabólicos em animais submetidos a mudanças abruptas para dietas com elevada proporção de concentrado. / Additives are used in high concentrate diets in order to prevent metabolic disorders. Calcareous algae (Lithothamnium calcareum), a natural and renewable product, may be an alternative to prevent these disorders. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of calcium sources and monensin in the control of ruminal acidosis of Nellore cattle, abruptly fed a high (92.3%) concentrate diet. Eight cannulated steers were randomly assigned to a doubled 4x4 Latin square design. The treatments were the inclusion of different sources of calcium to the basic diet, limestone or calcareous algae, with or without the presence of monensin. The inclusion of limestone, calcareous algae and monensin was, respectively, 7.1 g/kg, 7.4 g/kg and 30mg/kg DM. There was on effect of calcium source (P=0.607) and monensin (P=0.294) on feed intake and in the short chain fatty acids concentration. Treatments with calcareous algae based product resulted in greater ruminal pH mean (P=0.039), lower time rumen pH remained below 5.2 (P&lt;0.001) and better control of blood pH (P=0.006). Treatments with the presence of monensin also resulted in lower time of rumen pH below 5.2 (P=0.023). Calcareous algae may be an alternative to be used in pH control of beef cattle fed high concentrate diets.

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar comparativamente a eficácia de probiótico a base de levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae e de ionóforo (Monensina sódica) na prevenção e tratamento da acidose láctica ruminal aguda em ovinos, por meio de uma série de variáveis ruminais e sistêmicas. Foram utilizados 30 ovinos adultos, mestiços da raça Santa Inês, providos de cânula ruminal, com cerca de 30 kg de peso corporal. Os animais foram mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas e alimentados com dieta basal calculada em 2,7% do peso vivo e composta de 75% da matéria seca de feno de capim de coast-cross e de 25% de concentrado. Os ovinos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em três grupos com 10 animais cada, assim constituídos: Controle; Probiótico e Monensina. O grupo controle recebeu apenas a dieta basal, o grupo Probiótico teve a dieta basal suplementada com 5g/animal/dia do probiótico Yea-Sacc&reg;, e o grupo Monensina recebeu 33 ppm de monensina sódica em relação a matéria seca da dieta basal. Os aditivos foram fornecidos diretamente através da cânula ruminal. Após 30 dias de experimento foi realizada indução experimental de acidose láctica ruminal através da administração de sacarose. Foi realizado exame clínico e coleta de amostras de sangue e conteúdo ruminal antes na indução (T0h) e após 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 e 48 horas da indução. O pH e a temperatura ruminal foram aferidos de forma contínua por 48 horas a partir da indução experimental por meio de sistema de aquisição de dados com eletrodo submersível. No tempo 12 horas o grupo Monensina apresentou pH médio de 5,2 e foi maior que o grupo Controle (pH 4,45). Nos tempos T18h e T24h os grupos Monensina e Probiótico apresentarem maior pH ruminal que o Controle e nos tempos T36h e T48h apenas o grupo probiótico. Os valores médios do Lactato-L ruminal do grupo controle no T24h foram superiores em 97,6% ao grupo Monensina e 123,0% ao grupo Probiótico, com menores valores observados no grupo Probiótico em relação ao controle nos tempos T24h, T36h e T48h. Quanto maior o lactato-L ruminal, menor o pH (R2 = 0,82), maior a osmolaridade ruminal (R2 = 0,53) e maior p Lactato-L plasmático (R2 = 0,77). O uso de probiótico proporcionou a partir da 18ª h de indução a ocorrência de um quadro de ALRA mais brando, por promover um menor acúmulo de ácido láctico no rúmen, com conseqüente diminuição do pH e da osmolaridade ruminais, e de acarretar um menor grau de desidratação e de acidose sistêmica. Essas constatações indicam que o probiótico pode ser utilizado com vantagens no tratamento de ovinos com ALRA. O uso de monensina aliviou pontualmente, na altura da 12ª hora da indução, a acidose ruminal por uma redução na velocidade de queda do pH ruminal, mas não impediu que esse quadro ocorresse e que evitasse o surgimento de complicações clínicas decorrentes da ALRA. / This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ionophore (monensin) in preventing and treat acute rumen lactic acidosis in sheep through a series of ruminal and systemic variables. 30 adult Santa Ines, cannulated, crossbred sheep were used, weighting 45 kg BW. The animals were kept in metabolic cages and fed a basal diet calculated at 2.7% of live weight and composed of 75% of hay and 25% concentrate. The animals were randomly divided into three groups with 10 animals each, formed as follows: Control; Probiotic and Monensin. The control group received only the basal diet, the probiotic group had the basal diet supplemented with 5 g/animal/d of Yea-Sacc &reg;; Monensin group received 33 ppm of monensin in relation of the dry matter of the basal diet. The additives were supplied directly through the rumen cannula. After 30 days of the experiment an experimentally induced ruminal lactic acidosis was performed by the administration of sucrose. Clinical examination and sampling of blood and ruminal content we performed before the induction (T0h) and after 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 hours. The ruminal pH and temperature were measured continuously for 48 hours after experimental induction throughout data acquisition system with indwelling probe. At T12h Monensin group had a mean pH of 5.2 and was higher than the Control group (pH 4.45). At T18h and T24h Monensin and Probiotic groups had higher ruminal pH than the control and at T36h and T48h only the probiotic group presented this difference. The mean values of ruminal L-lactate at T24h in the control group were 97.6% higher than Monensin group and 123.0% higher than Probiotic group, with lower values observed in the Probiotic group compared to control at times T24h, T36h and T48h. The higher ruminal L-lactate, the lower the pH (R2 = 0.82), higher ruminal osmolarity (R2 = 0.53) and higher the plasmatic L-lactate (R2 = 0.77). The use of probiotics promoted from the T18h a mild acute ruminal lactic acidosis due to a lower accumulation of lactic acid into the rumen, with a consequent smaller drop in pH and lower elevation of osmolarity, which lead to a lower degree of systemic acidosis and dehydration. These findings indicate that probiotics can be used with advantage in the treatment of sheep with ARLA. Monensin reduced the effects of ARLA just at T12h, but do not prevent that the animals developed the classic ARLA clinical picture.

O efeito do caroço de algodão moído (CAM) na alimentação de cordeiros(as) foi avaliado em três experimentos. As dietas foram isonitrogenadas (16% PB) e composta por 90% de concentrado e 10% de feno de \"coastcross\". Experimento 1: Quarenta e cinco cordeiros Dorper x Santa Inês (PC inicial de 21,3±3,7 kg e 79±6 dias) foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados. Os tratamentos foram definidos de acordo com os teores de CAM na dieta: 0, 7, 14, 21 ou 28% na MS. Na 3ª e 6a semanas do confinamento foi avaliado o comportamento ingestivo dos cordeiros. Amostras do músculo L. dorsi foram usadas para a avaliação da carne e determinação do perfil de ácidos graxos. Houve redução linear no peso final dos animais e no CMS. Na avaliação do comportamento ingestivo houve redução linear na ruminação em Min/g de FDN. Com a redução no peso final, as características da carcaça também reduziram linearmente. Houve alteração no perfil de ácidos graxos com redução linear para palmitoleico, oleico e monoinsaturados, enquanto o ácido linoleico aumentou. Foi observado efeito quadrático para esteárico, vacênico, linolênico e insaturados. A inclusão do CAM afetou negativamente o desempenho e as características da carcaça e demostrou baixa capacidade em estimular a ruminação. Experimento 2: Cinco machos inteiros, Dorper x Santa Inês, canulados no rúmen, foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental quadrado latino 5x5 para avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de CAM na digestibilidade das dietas, metabolismo de nitrogênio e parâmetros ruminais. As dietas experimentais foram as mesmas do Exp. 1. No último dia de colheita de amostras, o conteúdo ruminal foi amostrado. A digestibilidade da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e carboidratos não fibrosos apresentaram redução linear. Entretanto, a digestibilidade do EE apresentou efeito quadrático e a FDN não foi afetada. Houve efeito quadrático para AGCC totais e propionato, redução linear no acetato e aumento linear do pH ruminal. O nitrogênio amoniacal não foi afetado. Experimento 3: Vinte e uma cordeiras White Dorper x Santa Inês (PC inicial de 23,6±1,2 kg e 87,7±4,5 dias) foram utilizadas em delineamento de blocos completos casualizados. As dietas experimentais foram: CA0 - controle, sem caroço de algodão; CAI21 - com 21% de caroço de algodão inteiro; e CAM21 - com 21% de caroço de algodão moído. Amostras do músculo L. dorsi foram coletadas para as análises físico-químicas e avaliação sensorial. O painel sensorial foi composto por 80 provadores não treinados. A cor da carne apresentou diferença quando comparado o tratamento controle com o grupo que recebeu caroço de algodão (CA21=CAI21+CAM21) (L:29,6vs36,7; a*:9,0vs7,5; b*:11,0vs8,7). Na avaliação sensorial o tratamento controle apresentou melhores notas para textura (6.5vs5.9), suculência (6.8vs6.1), aceitação global (6.2vs5.6), e sabor (6.0vs5.5) quando comparado com o CA21. Não foi observado efeito da moagem do CA em nenhuma das características avaliadas. A adição de caroço de algodão inteiro ou moído na alimentação de cordeiras em confinamento influenciou negativamente a qualidade sensorial da carne mostrando que seu uso deve ser restrito. / The effects of feeding ground linted cottonseed (GCS) to feedlot lambs were determined in three trials. The diets were isonitrogenous (16% CP) and composed of 90% concentrate and 10% hay \"coastcross\". Experiment 1: Forty-five ram lambs, Dorper x Santa Inês (initial BW of 21.3±3.7 kg and 79±6 days) were distributed in a randomized complete block design. Experimental treatments were defined according to the level of GCS in the diet: 0, 7, 14, 21 or 28% in the DM. In the 3rd and 6th weeks of the feedlot was evaluated the ingestive behavior of the lambs. L. dorsi muscle samples were used for the evaluation of meat and determination of fatty acid profile. There was a linear decrease in final weight of the animals and in DMI. There was a linear decrease in rumination Min/g of NDF. With the reduction in final weight, carcass characteristics also decreased linearly. There was a change in fatty acid profile with a linear reduction of palmitoleic acid, oleic and monounsaturated fatty acids, while linoleic acid increased. There was a quadratic effect for stearic, vaccenic, linolenic acid and total unsaturated. The inclusion of GCS negatively affected the performance and carcass characteristics and demonstrated low capacity to stimulate rumination. Experiment 2: Five ram lambs, Dorper x Santa Inês (45.2 ± 0.8 kg at the beginning of the trial), cannulated in the rumen, were distributed in a 5x5 Latin square design to determine the effects of adding GCS in the diet digestibility, nitrogen metabolism and rumen constituents. Each experimental period lasted 22 days, 17 days for adaptation and 5 days for sampling. The treatments were the same of Exp. 1. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates decrease linearly. However, the digestibility of EE had a quadratic effect and NDF was not affected. There was a quadratic effect for total SCFA and propionate, and a linear decrease for acetate. Ruminal pH increased linearly. Ammonia nitrogen was not affected. Experiment 3: The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of feeding high-concentrate diets with whole or ground cottonseed on growth, carcass characteristics, sensory evaluation and meat quality of ewe lambs. Twenty-one White Dorper x Santa Inês ewe lambs (initial BW = 23.6 ± 1.2 kg and 87.7± 4.5 days) were used in a randomized complete block design according to initial BW and age. The experimental diets were: 1) CS0: control, without cottonseed; 2) WCS21: with 21% of whole cottonseed; and 3) GCS21: with 21% of ground cottonseed. Samples of longissimus muscle were used for meat quality analysis and sensory evaluation. Sensory test was performed by 80 untrained panelists. Color was different when the control diet was compared with the cottonseed (CS21=WC21+GC21) groups (L:29.6vs36.7; a*:9.0vs7.5; b*:11.0vs8.7). The control group had greater tenderness (6.5vs5.9), succulence (6.8vs6.1), acceptability (6.2vs5.6), and flavor (6.0vs5.5) values compared with CS21. In conclusion, whole or ground cottonseed fed to feedlot ewe lambs had a detrimental effect on sensory evaluation showing that its use should be restricted.

Feeding diets rich in rapidly fermentable non-structural carbohydrates can lead to the development of ruminal acidosis. This study was conducted to determine if the duration of time that cattle are fed a high-grain diet affects their absorption of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and susceptibility to, and recovery from, ruminal acidosis. Sixteen Angus heifers (BW ± SEM, 261 ± 6.1 kg) were assigned to 1 of 4 blocks, and fed a backgrounding diet consisting of 60% barley silage, 30% barley grain, and 10% supplement (DM basis). Within block, cattle were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments differing in the number of days they were fed the high-grain diet prior to an acidosis challenge: 34 d for long-adapted (LA) and 8 d for short-adapted (SA). All cattle were exposed to the same 20-d dietary transition using 5 dietary steps until achieving the final diet that contained 9% barley silage, 81% barley grain, and 10% supplement (DM basis). Data were collected during an 8-d baseline period (BASE), on the d of the acidosis challenge (CHAL), and during two consecutive 8 d recovery periods (REC1 and REC2). Ruminal acidosis was induced by restricting feed to 50% of DMI:BW for 24 h followed by an intraruminal infusion of ground barley at 10% DMI:BW. Cows were then given their regular diet allocation 1 h after the intraruminal infusion. The duration of time fed the high-grain diet did not affect ruminal pH, lactate, or SCFA concentrations (P > 0.050). However, during BASE and on the day of CHAL the SA heifers experienced greater linear (P = 0.031), quadratic (P = 0.016), and cubic (P = 0.008) between day change in the duration of time that pH was < 5.5 than LA heifers. Relative to BASE, inducing acidosis increased daily duration (531 to 1020 min/d; P < 0.001) and area (176 to 595 (min × pH)/d; P < 0.001) that pH was < 5.5. Inducing ruminal acidosis also increased the daily mean (0.3 to 11.4 mM; P = 0.013) and maximum (1.3 to 29.3 mM; P = 0.008) rumen fluid lactate concentrations relative to BASE, suggesting that an acute bout of ruminal acidosis was induced. In addition, a treatment × day interaction for the duration that pH was < 5.5 during REC1 suggests that LA cattle tended to recover from the CHAL more rapidly than SA cattle (P = 0.085). Indeed, analysis of covariance confirmed that the LA heifers experienced a quicker linear (P = 0.019) recovery over time from CHAL. The greater rate of recovery possibly resulted from the LA heifers having greater rates of both fractional butyrate (45 vs. 36 %/h; P = 0.019) and propionate absorption (42 vs. 34 %/h; P = 0.045), and tending to have greater rates, on an absolute basis, of butyrate absorption (94 vs. 79 mmol/h; P = 0.087) iii and, on a fractional basis, of total SCFA absorption (37 vs. 32 %/h; P = 0.100). Treatment × period interactions revealed that LA heifers had greater serum D-lactate concentrations (P = 0.003), and fractional rates of lactate absorption (P = 0.024) than SA heifers, during CHAL and REC1, respectively. When treatments were pooled, the absorption (%/h and mmol/h) of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA increased between REC1 and REC2, with intermediate values for BASE (P ≤ 0.05). Corresponding to a reduction in absorption during REC1 (2 d post CHAL), saliva production (kg/h; P = 0.018) increased between BASE and REC1, with intermediate values for REC2. These results indicate that the duration of time cattle are fed a high-grain diet may stabilize rumen pH, both prior to and after an induced bout of acute ruminal acidosis, likely through increased ruminal absorptive capacity for SCFA and lactate. In addition, this study found evidence to suggest that beef cattle possess the ability to increase saliva secretion in order to compensate for decreased absorptive capacity.

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar comparativamente a eficácia de probiótico a base de levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae e de ionóforo (Monensina sódica) na prevenção e tratamento da acidose láctica ruminal aguda em ovinos, por meio de uma série de variáveis ruminais e sistêmicas. Foram utilizados 30 ovinos adultos, mestiços da raça Santa Inês, providos de cânula ruminal, com cerca de 30 kg de peso corporal. Os animais foram mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas e alimentados com dieta basal calculada em 2,7% do peso vivo e composta de 75% da matéria seca de feno de capim de coast-cross e de 25% de concentrado. Os ovinos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em três grupos com 10 animais cada, assim constituídos: Controle; Probiótico e Monensina. O grupo controle recebeu apenas a dieta basal, o grupo Probiótico teve a dieta basal suplementada com 5g/animal/dia do probiótico Yea-Sacc&reg;, e o grupo Monensina recebeu 33 ppm de monensina sódica em relação a matéria seca da dieta basal. Os aditivos foram fornecidos diretamente através da cânula ruminal. Após 30 dias de experimento foi realizada indução experimental de acidose láctica ruminal através da administração de sacarose. Foi realizado exame clínico e coleta de amostras de sangue e conteúdo ruminal antes na indução (T0h) e após 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 e 48 horas da indução. O pH e a temperatura ruminal foram aferidos de forma contínua por 48 horas a partir da indução experimental por meio de sistema de aquisição de dados com eletrodo submersível. No tempo 12 horas o grupo Monensina apresentou pH médio de 5,2 e foi maior que o grupo Controle (pH 4,45). Nos tempos T18h e T24h os grupos Monensina e Probiótico apresentarem maior pH ruminal que o Controle e nos tempos T36h e T48h apenas o grupo probiótico. Os valores médios do Lactato-L ruminal do grupo controle no T24h foram superiores em 97,6% ao grupo Monensina e 123,0% ao grupo Probiótico, com menores valores observados no grupo Probiótico em relação ao controle nos tempos T24h, T36h e T48h. Quanto maior o lactato-L ruminal, menor o pH (R2 = 0,82), maior a osmolaridade ruminal (R2 = 0,53) e maior p Lactato-L plasmático (R2 = 0,77). O uso de probiótico proporcionou a partir da 18ª h de indução a ocorrência de um quadro de ALRA mais brando, por promover um menor acúmulo de ácido láctico no rúmen, com conseqüente diminuição do pH e da osmolaridade ruminais, e de acarretar um menor grau de desidratação e de acidose sistêmica. Essas constatações indicam que o probiótico pode ser utilizado com vantagens no tratamento de ovinos com ALRA. O uso de monensina aliviou pontualmente, na altura da 12ª hora da indução, a acidose ruminal por uma redução na velocidade de queda do pH ruminal, mas não impediu que esse quadro ocorresse e que evitasse o surgimento de complicações clínicas decorrentes da ALRA. / This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ionophore (monensin) in preventing and treat acute rumen lactic acidosis in sheep through a series of ruminal and systemic variables. 30 adult Santa Ines, cannulated, crossbred sheep were used, weighting 45 kg BW. The animals were kept in metabolic cages and fed a basal diet calculated at 2.7% of live weight and composed of 75% of hay and 25% concentrate. The animals were randomly divided into three groups with 10 animals each, formed as follows: Control; Probiotic and Monensin. The control group received only the basal diet, the probiotic group had the basal diet supplemented with 5 g/animal/d of Yea-Sacc &reg;; Monensin group received 33 ppm of monensin in relation of the dry matter of the basal diet. The additives were supplied directly through the rumen cannula. After 30 days of the experiment an experimentally induced ruminal lactic acidosis was performed by the administration of sucrose. Clinical examination and sampling of blood and ruminal content we performed before the induction (T0h) and after 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 hours. The ruminal pH and temperature were measured continuously for 48 hours after experimental induction throughout data acquisition system with indwelling probe. At T12h Monensin group had a mean pH of 5.2 and was higher than the Control group (pH 4.45). At T18h and T24h Monensin and Probiotic groups had higher ruminal pH than the control and at T36h and T48h only the probiotic group presented this difference. The mean values of ruminal L-lactate at T24h in the control group were 97.6% higher than Monensin group and 123.0% higher than Probiotic group, with lower values observed in the Probiotic group compared to control at times T24h, T36h and T48h. The higher ruminal L-lactate, the lower the pH (R2 = 0.82), higher ruminal osmolarity (R2 = 0.53) and higher the plasmatic L-lactate (R2 = 0.77). The use of probiotics promoted from the T18h a mild acute ruminal lactic acidosis due to a lower accumulation of lactic acid into the rumen, with a consequent smaller drop in pH and lower elevation of osmolarity, which lead to a lower degree of systemic acidosis and dehydration. These findings indicate that probiotics can be used with advantage in the treatment of sheep with ARLA. Monensin reduced the effects of ARLA just at T12h, but do not prevent that the animals developed the classic ARLA clinical picture.