Nutritional requirements, behavior, animal temperament, feed efficiency, metabolic parameters, carcass and meat quality from buffaloes in tropical conditions

• Grant number: 14/05473-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2015
• End date: January 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Andre Mendes Jorge
• Grantee: Andre Mendes Jorge
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cristiana Andrighetto ; Flávio Dutra de Resende ; Humberto Tonhati ; Lucia Maria Zeoula ; Luciana Francisco Fleuri ; Otávio Rodrigues Machado Neto ; Paulo Roberto de Lima Meirelles ; Reinaldo Fernandes Cooke ; Roberto de Oliveira Roça ; Vânia Maria de Vasconcelos Machado
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/08935-2 - Ruminal morphology of water buffaloes of three genetic groups finished in feedlot, BP.TT; 19/27032-6 - Evaluation of nutrient digestibility of the diet for buffaloes of three genetic groups in the post-weaning period, BP.IC; 19/21889-2 - Nutritional requirements of buffaloes from three genetic groups in the growth phase, BP.PD; + associated scholarships 18/25939-1 - FEED EFFICIENCY, INGESTIVE BEHAVIOR, TEMPERAMENT AND METABOLIC PARAMETERS OF WATER BUFFALOES FROM THREE GENETIC GROUPS AFTER WEANING., BP.PD; 18/22288-0 - Nutritional, sanitary and well-being management of water buffaloes on a research project, BP.TT; 16/17991-8 - Evaluation of empty body weight from buffaloes of three genetics groups, BP.IC; 16/01109-4 - Validation of electronic feeding system for evaluation of feed intake of water buffalo on grazing system, BP.MS; 15/04542-8 - Residual feed intake (RFI) and diet digestibility of three genetic groups of water buffaloes in the growing phase on feedlot, BP.MS - associated scholarships

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in the use of residual feed intake (RFI) as a tool for measuring feed efficiency in cattle and sheep on growth. However, the biological basis of differences in RFI from buffaloes is still unknown. The aim of this unpublished research is to evaluate feed efficiency and its phenotypic correlations with metabolic parameters, food digestion, behavior, and carcass traits in buffalo. The experimental design will be completely randomized. A total of four experiments will be carried out for 4 years (one each year). Data will be analyzed and published the year after the last experiment. In the Experiment I (Year #1; duration: 231 days; composed of three periods) 75 buffalo bulls (25 animals of each genetic group: Jafarabadi, Mediterranean and Murrah) born and weaned in 2013, average weight and age of 180 kg and 210 days, respectively, will be used. In the first period will be determine intake and evaluate individual intake behavior (GrowSafe system) of animals during a trial period of 112 days. In the second period a 7-day digestibility assay will be performed. In the third period (119 days) 4 animals of each genetic group (12 animals in total) will be slaughtered at the beginning of this trial period to determine initial body composition (reference group). The remaining 63 animals will be classified according to slaughter weight (420, 480, 540 kg) to determine nutritional requirements of each genetic group. Ultrasound evaluation, body measurements, body condition score, and animal temperament will be carried out. The weighing will be performed daily by automatic scales coupled to sensors (DeLaval System). Blood samples will be collected for evaluation of metabolic and behavioral parameters, and identification of molecular markers for performance. Measurements on carcass (backfat thickness and loin eye area) will be performed, and samples of HH section and LM will be collected to evaluate meat quality traits. In the Experiment II (Year #2; duration: 231 days; composed of three periods) two first periods will be the same as in Experiment 1; however, in the third period the animals will be classified according to RFI determined in the first period. One hundred twenty buffalo bulls (40 of each genetic group) will be used. The same data collection used in the "Experiment I" will be performed to assure the reliability of results. In Experiment III (Year #3; duration: until animals reach the slaughter weight pre-determined in experiments I and II) aims to validate the results of experiments I and II through 3 different production systems: 1-Pasture+Feedlot; 2-Pasture with supplementation; and 3-Feedlot. Diets will be formulated based on the results of nutritional requirements obtained in the two prior experiments (years 1 and 2). One hundred eight animals (36 of each genetic group) will be divided into 3 production systems (12 animals of each genetic group for each production system). Ultrasound evaluation, body measurements, body condition score, and animal temperament will be carried out. The weighing will be carried out every 28 days (in animals on pasture) or daily by automatic scales coupled to sensors (in animals on feedlot). Blood samples will be collected for evaluation of metabolic and behavioral parameters, and identification of molecular markers for performance. Measurements and sample collection will be performed as in the two prior experiments (years 1 and 2). Experiment IV (Year #4; duration: until animals reach the slaughter weight pre-determined in experiments I and II) will be similar to "Experiment III". Also, the same data collection will be performed to assure the reliability of results. Data will be analyzed with REG, MIXED, and CORR procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA), submitted to analysis of variance and comparison of means by Student's test of Newman Keuls at 5% probability. (AU)

Scientific publications

(14)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

JACOB, VANESSA R. M.; CASTILHOS, ANDRE M.; FRANCISCO, CAROLINE L.; LUZ, PATRICIA A. C.; MARQUES DA SILVA, DAIANE C.; JACAUNA, AMANNA G.; OLIVEIRA, CAMILA S.; PAULA, TANIA V.; DE BARROS, FELIPE; JORGE, ANDRE M.. Equations for estimating commercial meat cuts of water buffaloes finished in feedlot. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 98, p. 1-pg., 2020-11-01. (14/05473-7)

CASTILHOS, ANDRE M.; FRANCISCO, CAROLINE L.; MEIRELLES, PAULO R. L.; DA SILVA, FABIOLA MARTINEZ; ARANHA, ALINE S.; MARQUES DA SILVA, DAIANE C.; JACAUNA, AMANNA G.; LUZ, PATRICIA A. C.; DE BARROS, FELIPE; JORGE, ANDRE M.. Effect of the residual gain and genetic group on body chemical composition of water. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 98, p. 2-pg., 2020-11-01. (14/05473-7)

ARANHA, A. S.; FRANCISCO, C. L.; CASTILHOS, A. M.; NARCISO, M. H. M. P.; SILVA, F. M.; CORREA, H. L.; SILVA, D. C. M.; LUZ, P. A. C.; ANDRIGHETTO, C.; MEIRELLES, P. R. L.; et al. Quantitative carcass characteristics of water buffaloes: a great option for meat producers.. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 95, p. 1-pg., 2017-08-01. (14/05473-7)

SILVA, D. C. M.; FRANCISCO, C. L.; CASTILHOS, A. M.; SILVA, F. M.; CORREA, H. L.; ARANHA, A. S.; LONGUINI, A. A.; LUZ, P. A. C.; MEIRELLES, P. R. L.; JORGE, A. M.. Use of infrared thermography to evaluate the residual feed intake in water buffaloes.. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 95, p. 1-pg., 2017-08-01. (14/05473-7)

FRANCISCO, C. L.; CASTILHOS, A. M.; MEIRELLES, P. R. L.; SILVA, D. C. M.; SILVA, F. M.; CORREA, H. L.; ARANHA, A. S.; LUZ, P. A. C.; ANDRIGHETTO, C.; JORGE, A. M.. Exit velocity and feeding behavior of water buffalo: A relationship to be considered during the feedlot adaptation phase.. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 95, p. 1-pg., 2017-08-01. (14/05473-7)

JACAUNA, AMANNA G.; CASTILHOS, ANDRE M.; FRANCISCO, CAROLINE L.; MEIRELLES, PAULO R. L.; ZEOULA, LUCIA M.; CORREA, HUGO L.; JACOB, VANESSA R. M.; PAULA, TANIA V.; DE BARROS, FELIPE; JORGE, ANDRE M.. Performance, digestibility and ruminal morphophysiology of water buffaloes finished in feedlot. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 98, p. 2-pg., 2020-11-01. (14/05473-7)

FRANCISCO, CAROLINE L.; CASTILHOS, ANDRE M.; MARQUES DA SILVA, DAIANE C.; DA SILVA, FABIOLA MARTINEZ; ARANHA, ALINE S.; JACAUNA, AMANNA G.; JORGE, ANDRE M.. Use of the entry time and exit velocity as tools for the assessment of water buffalo temperament. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 98, p. 2-pg., 2020-11-01. (18/25939-1, 14/05473-7)

FRANCISCO, CAROLINE L.; CASTILHOS, ANDRE M.; MARQUES DA SILVA, DAIANE C.; DA SILVA, FABIOLA MARTINEZ; ARANHA, ALINE S.; JACAUNA, AMANNA G.; LUZ, PATRICIA A. C.; PAULA, TANIA V.; OLIVEIRA, CAMILA S.; JORGE, ANDRE M.. Influence of the temperament of water buffaloes on the serum lipid levels. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 98, p. 1-pg., 2020-11-01. (18/25939-1, 14/05473-7)

OLIVEIRA, CAMILA S.; FRANCISCO, CAROLINE L.; CASTILHOS, ANDRE M.; DA SILVA, FABIOLA MARTINEZ; CORREA, HUGO L.; JACANA, AMANNA G.; DE BARROS, FELIPE; PAULA, TANIA V.; JACOB, VANESSA R. M.; JORGE, ANDRE M.. Blood concentrations of leptin, glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins and their association with feedlot performance and efficiency measurements of water buffaloes. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 98, p. 1-pg., 2020-11-01. (14/05473-7)

DE BARROS, FELIPE; CASTILHOS, ANDRE M.; FRANCISCO, CAROLINE L.; ARANHA, ALINE S.; JACAUNA, AMANNA G.; LUZ, PATRICIA A. C.; JACOB, VANESSA R. M.; OLIVEIRA, CAMILA S.; PAULA, TANIA V.; JORGE, ANDRE M.. Prediction equations of the carcass physical composition of water buffaloes. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 98, p. 1-pg., 2020-11-01. (14/05473-7)

FRANCISCO, CAROLINE L.; CASTILHOS, ANDRE M.; MARQUES DA SILVA, DAIANE C.; DA SILVA, FABIOLA MARTINEZ; ARANHA, ALINE S.; JACAUNA, AMANNA G.; OLIVEIRA, CAMILA S.; JACOB, VANESSA R. M.; CORDEIRO, LAIS G.; JORGE, ANDRE M.. Infrared thermography technology as a promising tool for assessing temperament of water buffaloes. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 98, p. 2-pg., 2020-11-01. (18/25939-1, 14/05473-7)

SILVA, F. M.; CASTILHOS, A. M.; MEIRELLES, P. R. L.; SILVA, D. C. M.; CORREA, H. L.; ARANHA, A. S.; PASCHOA, M. A.; AGUSTINHO, B. C.; LUZ, P. A. C.; ZEOULA, L. M.; et al. Efficiency measures and feedlot performance of growing buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 95, p. 1-pg., 2017-08-01. (15/04542-8, 14/05473-7)

CORREA, H. L.; MEIRELLES, P. R. L.; SILVA, F. M.; SILVA, D. C. M.; ARANHA, A. S.; PASCHOA, M. A.; NARCISO, M. H. M. P.; LONGUINI, A. A.; LUZ, P. A. C.; CASTILHOS, A. M.; et al. Apparent diet digestibility and morphometric measurements of ruminal papillae of water buffaloes finished in feedlot.. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 95, p. 1-pg., 2017-08-01. (16/01109-4, 14/05473-7)

CASTILHOS, A. M.; FRANCISCO, C. L.; MEIRELLES, P. R. L.; CORREA, H. L.; ARANHA, A. S.; SILVA, F. M.; SILVA, D. C. M.; PARIZ, C. M.; LUZ, P. A. C.; JORGE, A. M.. Efficiency measures and feedlot performance of water buffaloes for meat production.. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, v. 95, p. 2-pg., 2017-08-01. (14/05473-7)