The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and blood parameters of feedlot Nellore cattle fed increasing doses of ricinoleic acid (RA) in the diet. Ninety-six Nellore steers divided into 12 groups of 8 animals were used. The animals were randomly assigned to four treatments: 0, 1, 2, or 4 g of RA/animal/day, with three replicates per treatment. The experimental period consisted of 84 days divided into three 28-day periods preceded by three step-up diets. A quadratic effect was found for average daily gain and final body weight, as well as for leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, and for urea and blood urea nitrogen. A linear effect was observed for albumin, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transferase. The inclusion of 2 g of RA daily improved the performance of feedlot Nellore steers.

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ResumoObjetivando estudar a relação do escore de condição corporal (ECC) com medidas de espessura de gordura e músculo em três raças distintas, foram utilizados 31 animais divididos conforme a raça, sendo 14 da raça Puro Sangue Inglês (PSI), oito machos e seis fêmeas, com idade média de 3,5 anos e peso médio de 462,70 kg; sete da raça Quarto de Milha (QM), dois machos e cinco fêmeas, com idade média de 2,5 anos e peso médio de 510,40 kg; e 10 da raça Puro Sangue Árabe (PSA), machos, com idade média de 3,5 anos e peso médio de 357,50 kg. Os animais foram avaliados através de ultrassonografia em três regiões paralelas à coluna vertebral, onde foram mensuradas: espessura da gordura lombar, espessura do músculo glúteo e espessura da gordura na base da cauda. Foram realizadas três mensurações ultrassonográficas a cada 30 dias (D0, D30 e D60), durante 60 dias. Os resultados indicaram comportamento diferente entre as raças, porém foi observada maior correlação do escore corporal com a espessura de gordura na base da cauda. A avaliação ultrassonográfica pode ser uma metodologia utilizada como ferramenta de avaliação de ECC de raças de cavalos de esporte. Palavras-chave:Equinos. Escore corporal. Ultrassonografia. AbstractAiming to study the relationship of body condition score (BCS) with thickness measurements of fat and muscle in three distinct breeds, 31 animals were distributed according to race: 14 Thoroughbred (PSI) with a mean age of 3.5 years and mean weight of 462.70 kg, 7 Quarter Horse (QM) with mean age 2.5 years and mean weight of 510.40 kg, and 10 purebred Arabian (PSA) with a mean age of 3.5 years and mean weight of 357.50 kg. The animals were evaluated by ultrasound in three regions parallel to the spine, where they were measured for thickness of backfat, thickness of gluteus muscle and fat thickness at the base of the tail. The ultrasound measurements were performed every 30 days (D0, D30 and D60) for 60 days. The results showed different responses between races, although there was a higher correlation score with body fat thickness at the base of the tail. The ultrasound evaluation showed to be a reliable tool for assessment of BCS in sport horse breeds.

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