RESUMO
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of nutritional strategies on productive and nutritional performance, metabolic profile, and ovarian activity in heifers under grazing in the tropics in Brazil. Forty Nellore heifers averaging 8.5 ± 0.06 months and 248.6 ± 3.3 kg body weight (BW) were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design with four treatments and ten replicates. The evaluated strategies consisted of different amounts of energetic-protein supplement: (1) 4 g/kg of BW of supplement in the pre-weaning and post-weaning; (2) 4 g/kg of BW of supplement pre-weaning and 6 g/kg in the post-weaning; (3) 6 g/kg of BW of supplement in the pre-weaning and 4 g/kg of BW in the post-weaning and; (4) 6 g/kg of BW of supplement in the pre-weaning and post-weaning. Crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) intake were increased (P < 0.05) by increasing the amounts of supplement in the post-weaning. Additionally, increasing supplement amounts in the post-weaning increased the digestibility of OM and CP (P < 0.05). Means insulin and glucose concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) for heifers that received higher amounts of supplement in the post-weaning. Average daily gain and fat thickness in the rump were increased (P < 0.05) by increasing supplement amounts in the post-weaning. Amounts of supplement did not influence the body growth of heifers. However, follicular number, diameter, and progesterone concentration were greater (P < 0.05) for heifers that received higher amounts of supplement in the post-weaning. In summary, increasing supplement amounts in the post-weaning improve the performance, energy and metabolic status, and ovarian activity in beef heifers under grazing in the tropics. Due to higher intake of supplement, the heifers receiving 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning had greater responses, independently of the supplement amount received pre-weaning.
Assuntos
Ração Animal/análise , Bovinos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Dieta/veterinária , Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Animal , Animais , Peso Corporal , Brasil , Suplementos Nutricionais , Feminino , Metaboloma , Progesterona/sangue , DesmameRESUMO
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high and low supplementation levels pre- and post-weaning on performance, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive responses of Nellore heifers. Fifty Nellore heifers with 132 ± 9.9 kg average body weight (BW) and 138 ± 19 days of age were supplemented from 4 to 14 months. The heifers were distributed into five supplementation plans: HH-6 g/kg of BW of supplement pre- and post-weaning, HL-6 g/kg of BW of supplement pre-weaning and 3 g/kg post-weaning, LH-3 g/kg of BW pre-weaning and 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning, LL-3 g/kg of BW pre- and post-weaning, and CC-control, no supplementation. Interactions were not significant (P > 0.10). The level of supplement fed pre-weaning did not affect any of the performance variables evaluated at the end of the experiment (P > 0.10). There was a significant effect of supplementation and level of supplementation fed post-weaning on average daily gain (ADG) and final BW (P < 0.05). Overall ADG was also affected only by supplementation and level of supplement fed post-weaning (P < 0.05) with animals receiving 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning gaining more weight. Follicular diameter was greater in animals that received 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning (P < 0.05). In summary, performance, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive variables evaluated in the current study were improved by the level of supplement fed post-weaning. Heifers receiving supplementation of 6 g/kg of BW post-weaning had greater responses, independent of the level received during the pre-weaning phase.