Chitosan affects total nutrient digestion and ruminal fermentation in Nellore steers
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Data
2015-01-01
Autores
Araújo, A. P C
Venturelli, B. C.
Santos, M. C B
Gardinal, R.
Cônsolo, N. R B
Calomeni, G. D.
Freitas, J. E.
Barletta, R. V.
Gandra, J. R.
Paiva, P. G. [UNESP]
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Resumo
This study aimed to investigate the effects of chitosan on dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites in Nellore steers. Eight ruminally cannulated Nellore steers (540±28.5kg of BW) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design, with 21-d of experimental periods. The animals were randomly assigned to the following treatments: control (without chitosan addition; Q0), Q50, Q100 and Q150, by dosing 50, 100 and 150mg/kg BW chitosan, respectively, through the cannula. Although there was no difference on DMI, chitosan addition increased dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein apparent total-tract digestibility (P<0.05). Ruminal pH was not affected, whereas NH<inf>3</inf>N concentration was quadratically affected with chitosan addition (P=0.01). There were no differences in total volatile fatty acids concentration among treatments. Chitosan had a quadratic effect on propionate and butyrate, whereas acetate molar proportions decreased linearly (P<0.05). Acetate:propionate ratio decreased with chitosan addition (P<0.05). Plasma glucose concentration was higher with chitosan addition (P<0.05); however, total protein, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase were not affected by chitosan. Addition of chitosan altered ruminal fermentation, improved nutrient digestibility, and did not appear to damage animal health.
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Beef cattle, Blood parameters, Chitosan, Digestibility, Intake, Ruminal fermentation
Como citar
Animal Feed Science and Technology, v. 206, p. 114-118.