Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets with two energy levels fed to Ile de France ewes during the last third of gestation on the performance, carcass, and meat traits of their offspring. Treatments were: D0: maternal diet meeting the requirements for the last third of gestation, and D20: maternal diet containing an additional 20% energy requirements. Twenty single-born male lambs, ten from each group of ewes, were weaned at 60 d (18.3 ± 1.4 kg initial BW) and fed a common finishing diet. Animals were slaughtered when they reached 32 kg BW. Dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion, and days on feed were unaffected by treatments (P≥0.09). No effects were observed on hot and cold carcass weights, dressing percentage, chilling loss, commercial cuts yields, and loin-eye area (P≥0.17). Meat pH, thawing loss, cooking loss, shear force, and water holding capacity were also not affected by treatments (P≥0.09). Temperature and meat color, as well as centesimal composition were similar between treatments (P≥0.27). Adding 20% energy on top of the requirements of Ile de France ewes during the last third of gestation does not influence the performance, carcass traits, nor meat traits of their offspring. performance offspring D0 D D20 20 singleborn single born lambs 6 18.3 183 18 3 (18. 14 1 4 1. BW intake gain conversion P≥0.09. P009 P P≥0.09 . 0 09 (P≥0.09) weights percentage loss yields loineye loin eye P≥0.17. P017 P≥0.17 17 (P≥0.17) pH force color P≥0.27. P027 P≥0.27 27 (P≥0.27) D2 2 18. (18 P00 P≥0.0 (P≥0.09 P01 P≥0.1 (P≥0.17 P02 P≥0.2 (P≥0.27 (1 P0 P≥0. (P≥0.0 (P≥0.1 (P≥0.2 ( P≥0 (P≥0. P≥ (P≥0 (P≥ (P

ABASTRACT. The objective of this study was to evaluate the plasma lipid profile and plasma fatty acids of dairy cows receiving diets supplemented with annatto. A total of 32 Holstein cows (550 kg), distributed in a completely randomized design, were allocated to individual stalls and submitted to following treatments: C0 = no annatto; C4 = inclusion of annatto at 4 g kg-1 dry matter (DM) of diet (0.07 g bixin kg-1 diet); C5 = inclusion of annatto at 5 g kg-1 DM of diet (0.09 g bixin kg-1 diet); and C7 = inclusion of annatto at 7 g kg-1 DM of diet (0.12 g bixin kg-1 diet). Blood samples were collected via epigastric vein puncture, centrifuged, and frozen for subsequent analysis. The results indicate that the inclusion (p > 0.05) of annatto does not decrease the total cholesterol or low and high density lipoproteins. However, it impacts the profile of fatty acids, evidenced by the reduction (p < 0.05) in levels of hypercholesterolemic fatty acids viz, myristic acid and palmitic acid. It also causes an increase in the levels of arachidonic acid, rumenic acid, linoleic acid, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, bixin included in the diets of dairy cows induces changes in the plasma fatty acid profile.

RESUMO Os rizóbios encontrados em fabáceas da Caatinga podem ser uma via para o cultivo de forragens no Semiárido, possibilitando, assim, aumentar a disponibilidade de alimento para a produção animal nesta região. Objetivou-se caracterizar morfofisiologicamente estirpes de rizóbios nativos das espécies forrageiras, Mimosa tenuiflora, (Jurema preta), Macroptilium atropurpureum (Siratro) e Desmanthus pernambucanus (Jureminha). O solo usado como substrato foi coletado em pontos específicos dos municípios de Sertânia, Arcoverde e São Bento do Una, estado de Pernambuco. A caracterização das colônias de rizóbios foi feita quanto ao tempo de crescimento, diâmetro, elevação, transparência, produção de exopolissacarídeos e coloração. Também foram feitos testes de tolerância dos rizóbios nativos em diferentes níveis de salinidade, temperatura e pH. Na avaliação cultural observou-se que os isolados formaram colônias com elevação plana, moderada produção de exopolissacarídeos, coloração variando de creme a branca e superfície lisa de acordo com cada isolado. Os testes fisiológicos de resistência a estresses abióticos mostraram que os isolados nativos de Mimosa tenuiflora foram mais resistentes quando cultivados nos solos provenientes do município de Sertânia, enquanto os isolados de M. atropurpureum e D. pernambucanus tiveram elevada resistência a altas temperaturas, independente do local de cultivo. Conclui-se que os rizóbios nativos da região Semiárida de Pernambuco apresentam resistência ao estresse causado por altas temperaturas, variação na salinidade e pH. Essas características são influenciadas pelo solo e espécie botânica em simbiose com os rizóbios.

ABSTRACT The rhizobia found in Fabaceae plants of the Caatinga may have potential as fodder in the semiarid region, thus increasing the availability of feed for animal production in this region. This study aimed to characterize the morphophysiology of rhizobia strains of the forage species Mimosa tenuiflora (Jurema preta), Macroptilium atropurpureum (Siratro), and Desmanthus pernambucanus (Jureminha). The soil used as the substrate was collected at specific locations in the municipalities of Sertânia, Arcoverde, and São Bento do Una, state of Pernambuco. The characterization of rhizobial colonies included growth period, diameter, elevation, transparency, exopolysaccharides production, and color. In addition, salinity, temperature, and pH tolerance tests of the native rhizobia were conducted. Evaluation of cultures showed that the isolates formed colonies with flat elevation, moderate production of exopolysaccharides, coloration varying from cream to white, and a smooth surface. Physiological tests of abiotic stress resistance showed that the native species isolated from M. tenuiflora were more resistant when grown in soils from the municipality of Sertânia and isolates from M. atropurpureum and D. pernambucanus had high resistance to high temperatures, regardless of place of farming. It can be concluded that native rhizobia from the Semiarid region of Pernambuco show resistance to stress caused by high temperatures, salinity variation, and pH. These characteristics are influenced by soil and the botanical species in symbiosis with the rhizobia.