SÓDIO E BALANÇO ELETROLÍTICO EM DIETAS PARA LEITÕES DOS 8 AOS 25 KG MANTIDOS EM AMBIENTE DE ALTA TEMPERATURA

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the sodium and electrolyte balance levels in piglets´ diets, maintained in high temperature (35ºC) environment. A total of 50 piglets (from 8.32 ± 0.90 kg to 25.14 ± 0.77 kg) were used, distributed into a randomized block design, with five treatments (0.136, 0.276, 0.415, 0.555 and 0.695% of sodium, corresponding to 131, 192, 253, 313 and 374 mEq/kg of electrolyte balance), five replicates and two pigs per replicate. The sodium and electrolyte balance levels of the diets did not influence (P>0.05) the final weight, daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion, daily feces production and urine pH of piglets. The daily urine production and fecal pH increased linearly with the increase of the sodium and electrolyte balance levels of the diet. It was concluded that the level of 0.136% sodium, equivalent to 131 mEq electrolyte balance per kg of diet, meets the requirements of piglets from 8 to 25 kg, maintained on high temperature environment.

Keywords

• Electrolytes
• heat stress
• nutritional requirements
• performance.