INCLUSION EVALUTION OF DDGS IN THE EQUINE DIET UNDER DIGESTIVE INFLAMATORY PARAMETER

• Grant number: 25/08923-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Augusto de Oliveira Gobesso
• Grantee: Lorena Expedita Maciel da Cruz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a by-product of corn-based ethanol production, has potential as a feed ingredient in equine diets; however, research in this species remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the effects of DDGS inclusion in the diets of horses. Eight Purebred Arabian geldings, 14 years old and with an average body weight of 514.65¿±¿54.20 kg, will be used. Horses will receive an individual daily intake corresponding to 1.75% of body weight (BW) in dry matter, consisting of 1.0% forage and 0.75% concentrate, resulting in a forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40, according to NRC (2007) recommendations for this category. Water and mineral salt will be provided ad libitum. A 4×4 double Latin square design will be adopted, with random assignment of animals to treatments. The treatments will include: control (CT), with a concentrate based on wheat bran; treatment 1 (T1), with 15% DDGS inclusion; treatment 2 (T2), with 30%; and treatment 3 (T3), with 45% DDGS. Inflammatory response-assessed via ultrasonography of the intestinal loops-will be evaluated. Data will be analyzed by analysis of variance with a significance level of 5%, using the PROC MIXED procedure of the SAS software (Statistical Analysis System, version 9.0). This study aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge regarding the use of DDGS in equine nutrition, particularly its nutrient digestibility and effectiveness as a feed ingredient in horse diets.