Performance and bone parameters of nellore cattle submitted or not to phosphorus supplementation during the feedlot period

Author(s)

Vinícius Carneiro de Souza

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Jaboticabal. 2016-04-28.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Jaboticabal
• Defense date: 2016-02-29
• Advisor: Telma Teresinha Berchielli

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phosphorus supplementation (PS) on nutrient intake, performance and phosphorus (P) utilization by Nellore steers in a feedlot. Forty-two animals with an initial body weight of 296±25 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design consisting of 3 treatments and 14 replicates. The diet on a DM basis was comprised of sugarcane bagasse (200 g/kg) plus concentrate (800 g/kg). The treatments were without supplementary P (T1), commercial mineral supplement specific for feedlot cattle (T2) and dicalcium phosphate (T3) with 0.24, 0.42 or 0.50 % P, respectively. The DM, CP and NDF intakes were similar between the groups with or without the PS (P>0.05). The highest intakes of Ca and Mg were observed in the treatments with commercial mineral supplement or dicalcium phosphate. Intake, retention and excretion of P were influenced by the increase in P content in the experimental diets (P<0.05). Performance and carcass characteristics were not affected by P content in the diet (P>0.05). Supplementation with P significantly increased the excretion of P in the feces and urine and the feeding cost. Therefore, under Brazilian conditions, there is no justification for supplementing P in feedlot rations. The animals submitted or not to phosphorus supplementation had a similar content of Ca, Ca:P ratio and bone mineral density (BMD) at the 12th rib (P>0.05). However, animals of the T1 and T3 treatments had significant reductions in magnesium contents in the rib throughout the study (P<0.05). The animals from treatment without phosphorus supplement had lower cortical thickness of the metacarpal bone (P<0.05), without compromising its resistance and stiffness (P>0.05). Throughout the trial period, no animals were positive in the needle test in the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae. There was no effect of phosphorus supplementation on the concentration of Ca and P in the serum of animals (P>0.05). However, the inclusion of commercial mineral supplement in T2 treatment resulted in higher Mg concentration in serum of animals (P>0.05). The phosphorus supplementation significantly changed the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels (P<0.05) and the animals of the T1 treatment had smaller circulating concentrations of these hormones. Under Brazilian conditions, feedlot beef cattle do not appear to require P supplements and a value of P (2.4 g/kg DM), as used in the control diet, appears adequate. Lower values may also be appropriate but were not tested here. Phosphorus supplementation significantly increased the feeding costs, P excretion in the feces and urine and therefore resulted in economic losses. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/08935-1 - Nutritional balance, performance, bone parameters, economics and meat quality of Nellore submitted or not to phosphorous supplementation during feedlot
• Grantee: Vinícius Carneiro de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master