Virginiamycin via mineral supplementation and sward height in growing Nelore young bulls

Author(s)

João Paulo Ramos Costa

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Jaboticabal. 2016-02-26.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Jaboticabal
• Defense date: 2016-02-02
• Advisor: Euclides Braga Malheiros; Gustavo Rezende Siqueira

Abstract

The objective was evaluate the effect of virginiamycin (VM) via mineral supplement and two swards height (SH) on performance, blood metabolites, ruminal fermentation, ruminal microorganisms and microbial N production. The trial was divided in two experiments. Chapter 1: Eighty Nellore young Bulls (initial BW = 258 ± 15 kg) were blocked by weight and randomly assigned into 16 paddocks (5 animals/paddock) arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design: mineral supplement without VM (WVM) or with VM and two SH [15 and 35 cm (15SH and 35SH, respectively)]. The animals receiving VM had higher ADG (P < 0.01). As expected, the 35SH had higher ADG (P < 0.01). VM had no effect on mineral supplement intake by BW (MSIBW) or mineral supplement intake by animal (MSIA) (P = 0.49 and P = 0.55, respectively) and 15SH showed a greater MSIBW and MSIA (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Blood albumin was greater in VM (P < 0.01) and tended to be greater (P = 0.07) in 35SH. The blood urea concentration tended to decrease in VM (P = 0.06) and was higher (P < 0.01) in 15SH. Plasma NEFA and calcium concentrations were greater (P = 0.007 and P = 0.038, respectively) in VM. Chapter 2: Twelve Nellore steer (initial BW = 334 ± 47) ruminally cannulated were used in three 4 × 4 balanced Latin square were assigned in the same treatment arrangement cited above. The DMI was greater (P < 0.01) in 15SH than in 35SH. Ammonia-N tended to be higher in VM (P = 0.07). None ruminal bacteria proportion were affected (P > 0.10), except R. flavefaciens that tended to increase in IV 35SH (P = 0.08), while total protozoa counts increased (P = 0.03) and the Entodinium genus tended to increase (P = 0.05) in VM. The VM increased uric acid (P < 0.01) and tended to increase the purines derivatives excretion (PD; P = 0.074), absorbed purines (AP; P = 0.07), microbial N flow (NMIC; P = 0.07) and the PD: creatinine ratio index [PDC index (P = 0.07)]. Therefore, the VM effect seems to be more related to increasing the N microbial flow to the intestine caused by incresing of ruminal protozoa than the ruminal fermentation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/21664-1 - BREEDING STEERS FED VIRGINIAMYCIN IN MINERAL SUPPLEMENT IN DIFFERENT GRAZING INTENSITIES: PERFORMANCE, METABOLIC PROFILE AND NITROGEN METABOLISM
• Grantee: João Paulo Ramos Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate