FERNANDEZ, A. E; JERSONSKY, R    CORIA, María. Metabolic utilization of whole sorghum grains with different tannin contents in British steers. []. , 37, 2, pp. 191-197. ISSN 0864-0394.

The in vivo digestibility of starch (IVDS) of the whole sorghum grain, with high and low tannin contents (SGHT and SGLT, respectively), as supplement, was evaluated in growing British males (Red Aberdeen Angus); as well as the losses in feces and the differential effect of these losses, according to the tannin content. Two treatments (T1 and T2) and two repetitions were established. A completely randomized design was used and each animal constituted an experimental unit. The diets were supplied once per day and were composed by different proportions of SGHT and SGLT, sunflower meal pellet and mixed pasture hay. The protein level was 18 and 15 % for T1 and T2, respectively. The dry matter intake (DMI), in vivo dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), IVDS and water intake per kilogram of consumed DM, were measured. The DMI was 8,5 and 12,0 kg for T1 and T2, respectively, while the IVDMD was similar (71,64 and 71,66 %). The IVDS was higher in T1 (74,25 vs. 66,67 %); while the starch loss in feces was higher in T2 (31,56 vs. 27,27 %). The water intake was similar (1,8 L of water/kg DM). It is concluded that there was a differentiated performance in the utilization of the whole sorghum grain, due to the size of the animal and the different tannin contents. The calves utilized 33 % of the grain offer and the steers, 25 %.

: digestibility; feces; starch.

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