Influence of dietary cation anion balance on performance in sheep

Author(s)

Gustavo Ribeiro Del Claro

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Pirassununga.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Zootecnica e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZE/BT)
• Defense date: 2003-06-26

Examining board members

Marcus Antonio Zanetti; Catarina Abdalla Gomide; Paulo de Figueiredo Vieira

• Advisor: Marcus Antonio Zanetti

Abstract

The dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) effect in performance, macromineral (calcium, phosphorus and sodium) balance, urinary pH and calcium serum concentration, was studied in 25 males sheeps, from Santa Ines breed, during 75 days. The design used was randomized complete blocks, with five treatments. For DCAB manipulation were added ammonium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate in order to achieve the values: -160, -40, 140, 250 e 500 meq/kg DM. Increasing the DCAB resulted in higher DMI, daily gains and feed efficiency (P<0,05). Rumen pH, urine pH and urine volume increased as DCAB increased (p<0,05). Ruminal VFA profile was not affected by DCAB. The DCAB affected the calcium metabolism, decresing the DCAB the serum calcium increased. Dietary anionic increased urinary excretion of calcium, however calcium retention was not effect. (AU)