Efeito da suplementação com probióticos ou monensina em cordeiros sobre parâmetros ruminais e metabólicos

Abstract

Agricultural products of animal origin are undergoing processes for increased quality control. The main emphasis is to improve quality for human consumption. Demand for beef and lamb resulted in utilization of animals of both genders, but there are differences between males and females. Export contracts require the removal of antibiotics as growth promoters. An alternative that has been explored is the use of probiotics despite still controversial results. The differences between genders in bovines and ovines, as well as the utilization of probiotics (Bacillus cereus var. toyoi and Saccharomyces boulardii) and ionophore in ruminant feeds were evaluated by its effects on blood, ruminal fluid and urine. In the first trial bovines were kept in semi-confinement. Results indicated no gender differences in any parameters in urine or ruminal fluid; but males were overfed the protein concentrate. The second trial aimed at comparing genders in lambs raised on a native pasture. Results showed no important physiological differences in metabolic and ruminal parameters. In the third trial the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on lambs kept in semiconfinement was tested, observing their effects over the ruminal flora and metabolic parameters. A lower value of GGT was observed in the animals that consumed probiotic when compared to those that consumed antibiotic, suggesting that the probiotic is a potential substitute for the antibiotic. In the fourth trial we evaluated the impact of Saccharomyces boulardii and of monensine over the ruminal flora and metabolic parameters of lambs kept in semi-confinement. A lower concentration of plasmatic cholesterol was observed in the group that consumed Saccharomyces boulardii, when compared to the group not receiving that supplement. These results suggest the feasibility of substituting probiotics for antibiotics in ruminant feeding.