Effects of food processing and fibre content on the digestibility, energy intake and biochemical parameters of Blue‐and‐gold macaws (Ara ararauna L. – Aves, Psittacidae)1. Issue 2 (30th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Veloso, R. R.; Sakomura, N. K.; Kawauchi, I. M.; Malheiros, E. B.; Carciofi, A. C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition. Volume 98:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 261
• Publication Date: 2013-04-30
• Subjects: Animal nutrition -- Periodicals; Feeds -- Periodicals; 636.085
• DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0931-2439

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="jpn12075-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Considering the increased incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases in caged psittacines, the effect of fibre and food processing was evaluated in the Blue‐and‐gold macaw. Four food formulations (0%, 7%, 14% and 21% of sugarcane fibre) processed by pelleting or extrusion were studied, resulting in eight diets. To study digestibility, 48 macaws housed in pairs in cages was used in a block design. Subsequently, diets containing 0% or 21% sugarcane fibre, pelleted or extrude was fed for 4 months to evaluate energy intake and blood metabolites. A 2 × 2 × 2 (two fibre levels, two food processing methods and two genders) factorial arrangement with subplots (beginning and end) was used. When differences were detected in <sc>anova</sc>'s <italic>F</italic> test, data were submitted to polynomial contrasts in the first experiment and to orthogonal contrasts in the second experiment (p<italic> </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05). Fibre addition reduced protein, fat and energy (p<italic> </italic><<italic> </italic>0.001) digestibility in both food processing. Pelleted foods presented higher dry matter digestibility and food metabolisable energy (ME) than the extruded ones (p<italic> </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05). Fibre addition or the type of processing did not change ME ingestion (p<italic> </italic>><italic> </italic>0.05). The macaws gained body weight (p<italic> </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05) regardless of the diet (p<italic> </italic>><italic> </italic>0.05), but females fed with the high‐fibre diets did not gain weight (p<italic> </italic>><italic> </italic>0.05), suggesting a low food ME (12.5 kJ/g).The substitution of the original diet (sunflower seeds, fruits and cooked maize) by the experimental foods decreased the basal (12‐h fast) concentrations of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides (p<italic> </italic><<italic> </italic>0.001). The consumption of pelleted diets reduced serum glucose and cholesterol (p<italic> </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05). Results suggest that the pelleted diets were more beneficial and can be used to reduce blood metabolites related to metabolic disorders that are commonly observed in macaws.</p> </abstract>