Three trials were carried out in a completely randomized design aiming to assess the behavior of pigs in growth phase in enriched environments. Trial 1 evaluated the effects of frequency of availability of environmental enrichment. The animals were assigned to four treatments: 1) control with no enrichment object; 2) objects provided for six consecutive days uninterruptedly; 3) objects provided on alternate days, and 4) objects provided for six consecutive days taken away by the end of the afternoon and replaced at dawn. Trial 2 assessed the effects of scent on animals’ acceptance and maintenance of interest in objects. Animals were assigned to four treatments: 1) unscented object; 2) object with banana scent; 3) object with rum scent; 4) object with scents alternated every other day. Trial 3 aimed to assess the influence of environmental enrichment based on providing rewards at different difficulty levels. Animals were assigned to three treatments: 1) object with no reward; 2) object with a reward at an easy level; 3) object with a reward at a difficult level. Each trial had six days of behavioral observations every ten minutes for eight hours each day using images from video cameras. Enrichment objects stimulated the animals’ natural behavior of nuzzling and exploring the environment. The way the objects were available did not impact the success of their use. Offering enrichment on alternate days or removing the objects by the end of the day was not an effective strategy to extend the animals’ interest. The olfactory stimulus in environmental enrichment objects had no positive effect on extending the animals’ interest on them, nor did alternating the aromas. The tactile stimulus was a key factor for object attractiveness. Providing environmental enrichment objects with rewards stimulated the exploratory behavior of pigs. The level of difficulty to obtain the reward may discourage the animals.

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The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of environmental enrichment on the behavior of pigs in nursery and growth phases. (i) Ninety animals (females, 65 days, 25 kg) were divided into three treatments (T1- Pen enriched with objects made of destructible material by the animal, T2- Pen enriched with objects made of non-destructible material by the animal, T3- Pen without environmental enrichment objects - control treatment) - in a completely randomized design and reference of the animals by objects of enrichment of different colors (red, blue or yellow). (ii) males, 25 days old, 7 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (cloves, garlic, alternating aromas and absence of control smells) and six replicates each. (iii) determine the appropriate ratio between the number of enrichment objects and the animals present in the animals (n = 138; females; 65 days; 25 kg) were distributed in three treatments, in a completely randomized experimental design (proportion of one enrichment object for each 1511 animals or 9 animals, respectively). Environmental enrichment objects made from destructible materials are more attractive to pigs. No preference for pigs for environmental enrichment objects of specific colors was observed. Environmental enrichment objects with garlic aroma had a repellent effect. No effect was observed of alternating perfumes in the animals retaining interest in the objects since the smell of garlic acted as a repellent. Thus, the proportion of one enrichment object for each 15 pigs is sufficient to avoid problems of dispute between the animals.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and influence of urinary tract infection on the reproductive performance of sows. The animals underwent urine tests using reagent strips and diagnosed as positive or negative. They were then divided into two groups of 30 positive and 30 negative sows for urinary tract infection. Each sow was considered an experimental unit and was followed from labor to weaning. The animals were assessed for their reproductive performance (labor duration, number of live births, mummified piglets, and stillbirths, and postpartum diseases). After weaning, the weaning-estrus interval and rate of return to estrus were assessed. A thermographic camera was used to identify hyperthermia of the mammary system and its relation with the onset of urinary tract infections. The prevalence of urinary tract infection in prepartum sows was 41.1%. Urinary tract infection does not impact labor duration, number of live births, mummified piglets, and stillbirths, number of sows culled, weaning-estrus interval, or return to estrus after insemination. However, it was considered a predisposing factor for the occurrence of postpartum vaginal discharge. There is no correlation between the occurrence of urinary tract infection and mammary system temperature in sows.

Two experiments were carried out to determine the nutritional value and to evaluate the performance and carcass traits in the growing-finishing pigs fed on two types of semipurified glycerin, which were made from vegetable oil (SPGV) and mixed of animal + vegetable oil (SPGM). In the digestibility trial (experiment I) 32 crossbreed barrows were used with initial body weight of 45.08 ± 4.11kg. It were used three levels of inclusion (6, 12 e 18%) of semipurified glycerin (SPGV and SPGM) in the basal diet. The metabolizable energy (ME) value of glycerin were estimated by regression of ME (kcal/kg) intake associated with glycerin vs. glycerin intake (kg). The values of ME (kcal/kg) obtained were: 2,731 for SPGV and 2,210 for SPGM. In experiment II, 72 pigs (30.08 ± 1.65 to 60.58 ± 3.57) in growing and (60.83 ± 2.63 to 93.79 ± 5.72) in finishing phase, were allotted in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 4 + 1 factorial scheme, with two types of semipurified glycerin (SPGV and SPGA), four inclusion levels (4; 8; 12 and 16%), eight experimental unit and a control diet containing no glycerin (0%). All pigs were slaughtered to evaluate the carcass traits. The performance results suggest that it is feasible to use up to 16% of both semipurified glycerins on growing and finishing pigs feeding, without impairing performance and carcass traits.

ABSTRACT. The nutritional value and the performance of piglets fed on diets with semipurified glycerin (SPGV) and mixed (SPGM) vegetable oil was determined and evaluated. Thirty-two crossbred piglets, allotted in a completely randomized block design, were used in the digestibility trial. Two types of glycerin (SPGV and SPGM) and three levels of diet (4, 8 and 12%) were studied. The experimental unit consisted of one piglet. Glycerins' metabolizable energy (ME) was estimated by regression of ME (kcal kg -1 ) intake associated with glycerin vs. glycerin intake (kg). ME as-feed-basis rates were 3,373 for SPGV and 2,932 for SPGM, or rather, the glycerins are highly available energy source for piglets. In the performance trial, 90 piglets were allotted in a completely randomized blocks design in a 2 x 4 + 1 factorial scheme, two glycerins, four levels (3, 6, 9 and 12%), five replicates (pens) and two piglets per pen. A control diet with no glycerin (0%) was additionally formulated. Since no effect of glycerin inclusion on pig performance occurred, it was feasible to use up to 12% of both types of glycerin on piglets feeding.Keywords: co-product, energy feedstuff, glycerol. Glicerinas semipurificadas na alimentação de leitões (15-30 kg)RESUMO. Determinou-se o valor nutricional e avaliou-se o desempenho de leitões alimentados com rações contendo glicerinas semipurificadas de origem vegetal (GSPV) e mista (GSPM). Na digestibilidade foram utilizados 32 leitões, machos castrados, distribuídos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso. Foram estudadas duas glicerinas (GSPV e GSPM) e três níveis de inclusão na dieta-teste (4, 8 e 12%). A unidade experimental consistiu de um leitão. A energia metabolizável (EM) das glicerinas foi estimada pela análise de regressão do consumo de EM (kcal kg ), na matéria natural, obtidos foram 3.373 para GSPV e 2.932 para GSPM, indicando que as duas glicerinas são fontes de alta energia disponível para a alimentação de leitões. No desempenho, foram utilizados 90 leitões, distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 4 + 1, sendo duas glicerinas, quatro níveis de inclusão (3, 6, 9 e 12%), cinco repetições e dois leitões por unidade experimental. Adicionalmente foi formulada uma ração-testemunha sem glicerina (0%). Não houve efeito do nível de inclusão de glicerina sobre o desempenho, sugerindo que é viável a utilização em até 12% de ambas as glicerinas na alimentação de leitões.

RESUMO Conduziu-se este estudo com o objetivo de avaliar níveis de energia líquida na dieta de suínos machos castrados em terminação. Foram utilizados 100 suínos, com peso inicial de INTRODUÇÃOA alimentação é o fator de maior custo na produção suinícola e a energia é o componente nutricional responsável pela maior parte deste custo (NOBLET, 1996). O conteúdo energético das rações é um dos componentes nutricionais mais relevantes para o desempenho de suínos na fase de terminação. Portanto, é importante caracterizar o conteúdo energético das dietas e buscar a eficiência na nutrição de suínos, aliando ganhos biológicos e econômicos.Existem diferentes sistemas disponíveis para a caracterização da energia dietética, sendo os mais comuns a energia digestível e metabolizável (ROSTAGNO et al., 2007). Contudo são antigos e incompletos, já que descrevem parcialmente o aproveitamento da energia da dieta pelos suínos. Aliado a isso está o fato de que o constante melhoramento genético dos suínos leva ao aumento das exigências proteicas e energéticas dos animais. Com isso, tornase necessário reavaliar constantemente as exigências nutricionais e as necessidades energéticas dos suínos.A energia líquida tem sido proposta como um sistema mais completo e que descreve de forma mais precisa o conteúdo energético real da dieta, quando comparado aos sistemas de energia digestível e metabolizável (NOBLET & VAN MILGEN, 2004). A energia líquida permite uma estimativa mais acurada dos efeitos da dieta no desempenho dos suínos (MOEHN et al., 2005), pois considera as diferenças de metabolização dos nutrientes (NOBLET, 1996).

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of net energy levels on the lipid profile of adipose tissue and muscle of swines. A total of 90 animals, with initial weight of 71.94±4.43kg, were used, and distributed in a randomized block design in five net energy levels (2,300, 2,425, 2,550, 2,675, and 2,800Kcal kg-1 feed), with nine replicates and two animals per experimental unit. Lipid profiles of adipose tissue and muscle were analyzed using gas chromatography. Increasing the levels of net energy using soybean oil, improved the lipid profile of adipose tissue and muscle, increased linearly (P<0.05) the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and α-linolenic acid, reduced linearly (P<0.05) the monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids and omega 6: omega 3. In adipose tissue was observed linear reduction (P<0.05) of atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes. In conclusion, increasing the level of net energy of the diet using soybean oil improved the lipid profile of adipose tissue and muscle.