ORIGINAL PAPER
Addition of increasing doses of ricinoleic acid from
castor oil (Ricinus communis L.) in diets
of Nellore steers in feedlots
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1
Departament of Nutrition and Animal Production FMVZ/USP,
13635-000 Pirassununga SP, Brazil
2
Ouro Fino Agribusiness Ltd.,
14140-000 Cravinhos SP, Brazil
Publication date: 2012-11-15
Corresponding author
J. R. Gandra
Departament of Nutrition and Animal Production FMVZ/USP,
13635-000 Pirassununga SP, Brazil
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2012;21(4):566-576
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
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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