CONSUMO, DIGESTIBILIDADE E TAXA DE PASSAGEM RUMINAL EM OVELHAS GESTANTES

This research was carried out to evaluate the effects of pregnancy, number of fetuses and feed restriction on nutrients intake and digestibility and on ruminal rate passage. Twenty-four ewes were used at 90, 110 and 130 pregnancy days distributed among treatments according to the number of fetuses. They received balanced diet or restricted diet at 15% of energy and protein requirement. Ewes with two fetuses on feed restriction had more dry matter intake than those with one fetus. At 130 day there was the highest dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake. Twin-pregnant ewes showed the highest nutrient digestibility, except for fiber fraction. Feed restriction caused the smallest dry matter intake. Ruminal rate passage increased in late pregnancy.