<b>Fat source Omega 3, Omega 6 apparent digestibility of nelore beef heifers</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i3.1834

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different fat sources supplements on apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicelluloses (HEM), and organic matter (OM). Twenty three 20 months old and 351 kg of initial body weight crossbreed heifers (½ Red Angus ½ Nelore) were used during 28 days. The heifers were allotted into a completely randomized design in three different treatments: Linseed supplement, omega-3 source (LIN); Protected fat, omega-6 source (PFA), and No fat supplement (NOF). The acid insoluble ash was used as internal indicator. NDF and ADF apparent digestibility (61.02% and 56.05%, respectively) were not affected by fat sources. DM and OM digestibility were higher for LIN (69.23% and 70.95%) and PFA (69.69% and 72.57%) diets in relation to NOF (67.39% and 68.28%). For CP digestibility, LIN was higher than NOF, but PFA did not differ from these. PFA promoted higher EE digestibility compared with LIN and this was higher to NOF. LIN presented higher HEM digestibility in relation to the others.