Water restriction periods affect growth performance and nutritional status of Santa Inês sheep in the Brazilian Semi-arid.

This study aimed to assess the growth performance and nutritional status of sheep under intermittent water supply by means of performance, intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients, water balance and nitrogen. Thirty-two intact male sheep (20.7 ± 2.63 kg, 8 months of age) were distributed in a completely randomized design with 4 water supply intervals via drinking trough (0h00, 24h00, 48h00, and 72h00), with 8 replicates. The extension in the water restriction period caused a reduction in the intake of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, digestible energy, and metabolizable energy (P < 0.05). The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber showed a linear decrease with increasing periods of water restriction (P < 0.05). Water intake via food, total water intake, and water excretion via feces showed a linear increase in response to an increase in the water supply interval (P < 0.05). Water intake via drinking, metabolic water, total water excretion and water balance presented a linear decrease, with increasing periods of water restriction (P < 0.05). Nitrogen intake and absorbed nitrogen were influenced by water restriction, presenting a linear decreasing trend according to water supply periods (P < 0.05). Final weight, daily weight gain, and total weight gain, were influenced by the periods of water restriction, showing a linear reduction (P < 0.05). Feed conversion increased as the water restriction period increased (P=0.004). Intermittent water supply at intervals of up to 72h00 reduced nutrient intake and digestibility, resulting in a decrease in weight gain of the studied animals.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	SOUZA, L. L. de, ARAUJO, G. G. L. de, TURCO, S. H. N., MORAES, S. A. de, VOLTOLINI, T. V., GOIS, G. C., CAMPOS, F. S., SANTOS, M. C. da R., SANTOS, F. M. dos
Other Authors:	LARISSA LOPES DE SOUZA, UNIVASF; GHERMAN GARCIA LEAL DE ARAUJO, CPATSA; SILVIA HELENA NOGUEIRA TURCO, UNIVASF; SALETE ALVES DE MORAES, CPATSA; TADEU VINHAS VOLTOLINI, CPATSA; GLAYCIANE COSTA GOIS, Bolsista FACEPE; FLEMING SENA CAMPOS, Bolsista CNPq; MADRIANO CHRISTILIS DA ROCHA SANTOS, UNIVASF; FERNANDA MARIA DOS SANTOS, UFBA.
Format:	Artigo de periódico biblioteca
Language:	Ingles English
Published:	2022-10-04
Subjects:	Raça Santa Inês, Semiárido, Água metabólica, Oferta intermitente de água, Pequenos ruminantes, Ovino, Matéria Seca, Ganho de Peso, Water supply, Small ruminants, Weight gain, Dry matter intake, Dry matter content, Sheep,
Online Access:	http://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1147106
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