Open AccessWater restriction periods affect growth performance and nutritional status of Santa Inês sheep in the Brazilian Semi-arid
Author(s) -
Larissa Lopes de Souza,
Gherman Garcia Leal de Araújo,
Sílvia Heleogueira Turco,
Salete Alves de Moraes,
Tadeu Vinhas Voltolini,
Glayciane Costa Góis,
Fleming Sena Campos,
Madriano Christilis da Rocha Santos,
Fernanda Maria dos Santos
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
semina. ciências agrárias
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1679-0359
pISSN - 1676-546X
DOI - 10.5433/1679-0359.2022v43n3p1037
Subject(s) - zoology , dry matter , nutrient , nitrogen balance , water balance , excretion , neutral detergent fiber , chemistry , water intake , nitrogen , agronomy , biology , endocrinology , biochemistry , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
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.