External markers for the estimation of intake by dairy cows in feedlots

• Published in: Ciência animal brasileira 2024, Vol.25
• Main Authors: Costa, Dayana Alves da, Carneiro, Jailton da Costa, Lopes, Fernando César Ferraz, Souza, Clebson Lucas de, Moreira, Guilherme Rocha, Saliba, Eloísa de Oliveira Simões, Figueiredo, Mércia Regina Pereira de, Amaral, Lucas Silva do
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: VETERINARY SCIENCES
• ISSN: 1518-2797; 1809-6891; 1809-6891
• DOI: 10.1590/1809-6891v25e-77289e

Abstract The accurate determination of individual dry matter intake (DMI) is an important parameter for evaluating the nutritional value of a diet and allows for an adequate supply of food according to the nutritional requirements of each animal. When it is not possible to measure this parameter using a direct method, the DMI can be estimated based on faecal production markers and the in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) of the diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the external marker titanium dioxide (TiO2) and enriched and modified hydroxyphenylpropane (LIPE®) on DMI. Four multiparous Holstein × Gyr cows with an average of 60 days in milk and 488 kg of body weight were used. The animals were housed in a free stall barn and fed diets based on sugarcane silage supplemented with concentrate composed of ground corn, cottonseed meal and 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% whole cottonseed on a dry matter (DM) basis. A 4 x 4 Latin square design was adopted. The DMI was determined by the ratio between the faecal production estimated by the markers and the IVDMD of the diet, with faeces collected by rectal grabbing twice a day for a period of seven days. There was no difference (P>0.05) in the DMI estimated by the external markers TiO2 and LIPE® (10.3 vs. 12.1; 11.1 vs. 12.5; 10.2 vs. 12.9; and 12.7 vs. 10.9 kg/cow/day in relation to the measured DMI for diets with 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion of whole cottonseed, respectively). The external markers LIPE® and TiO2 proved to be suitable for estimating cow DMI. Regardless of the diet offered, both external markers can be used to replace the external marker chromic oxide, as the DMI estimated by them did not differ from the DMI measured in the trough. Resumo A determinação acurada do consumo individual é um parâmetro importante para avaliação do valor nutritivo da dieta e permite o fornecimento adequado de alimentos, conforme as exigências nutricionais de cada animal. Quando há impossibilidade da sua mensuração pelo método direto, o consumo pode ser calculado a partir da produção fecal estimada por indicadores e pela digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) da dieta. Foi objetivo deste estudo avaliar os indicadores externos dióxido de titânio (TiO2) e hidroxifenilpropano enriquecido e modificado (LIPE®) nas estimativas de consumo de matéria seca (MS). Foram utilizadas quatro vacas multíparas Holandês × Gir com média de 60 dias em lactação e 488 kg de peso corporal. Os animais foram aloja