CONSUMO, DIGESTIBILIDADE E PARÂMETROS FISIOLÓGICOS DE OVELHAS SUPLEMENTADAS COM NÍVEIS CRESCENTES DE PROPILENOGLICOL NA ÁGUA

Wendell Fernando Guimarães da Cruz; Gilberto de Lima Macedo; Marina Elizabeth Barbosa Andrade; Érica Beatriz Shultz; Vitor Jorge Cardoso Rodrigues; Simone Pedro da Silva

CONSUMO, DIGESTIBILIDADE E PARÂMETROS FISIOLÓGICOS DE OVELHAS SUPLEMENTADAS COM NÍVEIS CRESCENTES DE PROPILENOGLICOL NA ÁGUA

2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility and physiologic parameters of sheep supplemented with increasing levels of propylene glycol. The research and data collection were performed in the Capim Branco experimental farm, which belongs to the Federal University of Uberlândia, lasting 75 days. Therefore, five sheep were used, housed in metabolic cages with slatted floor, feeder and drinker. Corn silage and mineral core specific for the species were used as feed. The rations were divided into two meals and offered to the animals at 08:00 h and at 16:00 h. Water was supplied ad libitum and already mixed with propylene glycol. The inclusion levels of propylene glycol were 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0%. The variables studied were: feed intake, feeding behavior, water intake, propylene glycol consumption, fecal score, digestibility, physiologic parameters, ruminal pH and temperature of the rumen fluid. The inclusion of propylene glycol at increasing levels reduced water consumption and did not change the intake and digestibility of matter. Furthermore, the inclusion of propylene glycol did not alter the physiological parameters of sheep, such as ruminal movements, rectal temperature and respiratory rate, which shows that this compound may be added to the diet of sheep to the level of 6%.

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