Study of different proportions of corn X citrus pulp concentrate / roughage in the diet of sta. Inês sheep breed

• Grant number: 12/23926-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Lilian Gregory
• Grantee: Mariane Ferreira Franco
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Eight Suffolk sheep, with rumen fistula and similar size and age, will be used to study the effects of substitution of corn by citrus pulp, mainly regarding the variation in ruminal pH. Will be employed four treatments with different proportions of corn or citrus pulp in concentrate and roughage (hay Coast cross): A - 30% pulp and 70% hay; B - 30% corn and 70% hay; C - 60% pulp and 40% hay; D - 60% corn and 40% hay. The project will consist of four experimental subperiods, each lasting twenty-two days, with collect of material in the last seven days. The pH of the rumen will be collected on two consecutive days, in samples taken one, two, three and six hours after the morning meal, supplied at 8am and removed of the reach of the animals at 9am. Blood samples will be used to monitor levels of glucose and urea. (AU)