CARGA PARASITÁRIA E PARÂMETROS HEMATOLÓGICOS EM CORDEIRAS SANTA INÊS ALIMENTADAS COM COPRODUTO DA INDÚSTRIA DO ETANOL DE MILHO

Abstract

The use of agro-industrial by-products in ruminant feeding has emerged as an alternative for reducing feed costs and increasing the sustainability of animal production systems. Among these by-products, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) have high protein and energy contents and may act as a partial substitute for conventional protein sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of DDGS inclusion on health indicators of feedlot Santa Inês ewe lambs. Twenty-four Santa Inês ewe lambs were used in a completely randomized design with two treatments: a control diet containing soybean meal as the protein source and a diet containing DDGS replacing soybean meal. The study consisted of a 52-day experimental period, preceded by a 21-day adaptation phase to the experimental diets and feedlot management conditions. Parasitological indicators were evaluated, including fecal egg count, Famacha© score, and packed cell volume, as well as hematological and serum biochemical parameters. The inclusion of DDGS did not affect parasite burden, Famacha© score, or packed cell volume during the experimental period. Erythrogram variables were also not affected by treatments. However, ewe lambs fed DDGS showed lower leukocyte and neutrophil counts compared with the control group. Serum biochemical parameters related to energy metabolism, lipid profile, liver function, and renal function remained within normal ranges, except for urea concentration, which was higher in animals fed DDGS. It was concluded that DDGS inclusion did not compromise physiological homeostasis, hematological indicators, or health-related parameters of ewe lambs, demonstrating its potential as an alternative protein source in intensive sheep production systems.