ABSTRACT This study aimed at establishing the morphological characteristics and morphometric indexes of Pêga donkeys, utilizing 47 animals, of which 22 were adults and 25 were growing donkeys. Prior to taking their measurements, the animals were restrained and made to stand squarely. The morphological data were measured, and the following morphometric indexes were determined: body index (BI), meloscopic index (MI), dactylothoracic index (DTI), weight in cannon index (WCI), conformation index (CFI), and real live weight (RLW). The experimental design was subdivided into plots and repeated in time, in which the animals represented the plot and the data collection times were the subplots. No sex effect was noted for the morphological measurements and morphometric indexes of growing donkeys. The effect of growth period was observed for all the variables. At birth, donkeys weighed around 14.86% of the weight of dams, and at six months they reached up to 40.37%. For the height taken at the withers, the animals at birth were 67.77% of the height of dams, and at six months they achieved up to 84.45%. Based on the morphometric indexes, it is suggested that adult and growing Pêga donkeys can be classified as being suited for both saddle and draft activities and possess a higher load capacity when compared with horses. A few indexes including BI, MI, and RLW need to be adjusted to be suitably used in rating the donkeys.

RESUMO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar equações de estimativa de peso vivo (PV) disponíveis na literatura e propor uma equação para predição de PV de jumentos da raça Pêga, utilizando 25 animais do nascimento aos seis meses de idade. Para a mensuração do perímetro torácico (PT) e pesagem através da fita de peso, os animais foram posicionados em estação forçada. Uma balança eletrônica foi utilizada para determinar o PV. A acurácia de equações lineares e não lineares descritas na literatura foi testada para predição do PV, baseado no PT dos animais, e realizou-se comparações dessas equações com a equação desenvolvida no presente estudo para predição do PV dos jumentos Pêga. Houve diferença (P<0,001) entre os pesos obtidos na balança e fica de peso. As equações lineares e não lineares disponíveis na literatura não apresentaram resultados favoráveis através dos dados obtidos no presente estudo. A equação desenvolvida para estimativa do PV dos jumentos permite o desenvolvimento de uma fita de peso exclusiva para animais jovens. Mais avaliações são necessárias in outras populações de jumentos da raça Pêga para confirmar a eficácia da equação proposta.

ABSTRACT: The equations available in the literature to estimate the body weight (BW) of Pêga breed donkeys were evaluated using 25 animals aged 0-6 months and it was proposed an equation for BW prediction. For the measurement of the thoracic perimeter (TP) and for weighing the animals using the weighing tape, the animals were positioned in a forced station on a steep slope. An electronic scale was used for the determination of the BW. Accuracy of linear and nonlinear equations described in the literature was tested for BW prediction based on the animals’ TP, followed by the comparison of these equations with the equation developed in the present study for BW prediction of Pêga breed donkeys. A difference was noted (P<0.001) between the weights obtained on the electronic scale and the weighing tape. Linear and nonlinear equations available in the literature did not present favorable results with the data of the present study. The equation developed for the estimation of donkeys’ BW allowed the development of a weighing tape exclusive for young animals. Further evaluations are required for other Pêga donkey populations to confirm the efficacy of the proposed equation.

Atualmente, a utilização de ingredientes energéticos alternativos para os equinos tem aumentado, pois esses alimentos contêm "super fibras", tornando a dieta mais segura para esses animais. Objetivando-se estudar a influência de dietas, contendo níveis crescentes de polpa cítrica sobre as concentrações sanguíneas de albumina, triglicérides, colesterol, glicose, insulina e ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, foram utilizados cinco animais, com idade média de 3,5 anos e peso vivo de 460,66±76,86kg, arraçoados duas vezes ao dia, às 7h e às 16h. As dietas foram formuladas para atender àdemanda de animais em mantença, sendo 60% da energia proveniente do volumoso e 40% do concentrado, contendo os seguintes níveis de inclusão de polpa cítrica(0, 7, 14, 21 e 28%). Foram calculadas a área abaixo da curva (AAC) e o pico da glicose e insulina, para as quais não foram observados efeitos das dietas. Não houve efeito da dieta sobre as concentrações sanguíneas dos parâmetros avaliados, bem como não houve efeito do tempo de coleta sobre as variáveis: ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, colesterol, triglicérides e albumina. Foi observado, porém, efeito quadrático para as concentrações de glicose (Ŷ = -0,5327X² + 4,2130X + 84,5276) e insulina (Ŷ = -0,1002X² +0,8233X + 1,6336). A polpa citrica pode ser incluida em até 28% no concentrado dos equinos, sem causar alterações nas concentrações sanguineas analisadas. Dietas com alta inclusão de fibra e participação de ingredientes com fibras de fácil fermentação são benéficas,pois mantêm as curvas glicêmicas e insulinêmicas próximas aos valores basais.

Currently, the use of alternative energy ingredients for horses has increased because these foods contain "superfibers", making safer diet for these animals. To study the influence of diets containing increasing levels of citrus pulp on albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, insulin and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in the blood, five animals were used, with an average age of 3.5 years and a live weight of 460.66±76.86 kg, they were fed twice a day, at 7:00 am and 4:00 pm. The diets were formulated to meet the requirements of the animals at maintenance. 60% of the energy was obtained from forage, and 40% from concentrate, containing the following inclusion levels of citrus pulp (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28%). The area under the curve (AUC) and the glucose and insulin peaks were calculated, and no differences were observed between the treatments. There was no effect of diet on the blood concentrations of the evaluated parameters tested, and there was no effect of the time of collection on the following variables: SCFAs, cholesterol, triglycerides and albumin. However, the diet did have quadratic effect on the glucose (Ŷ =-0.5327X²+4.2130X+84.5276) and insulin (Ŷ=-0.1002X² +0.8233X + 1.6336) concentrations. Up to 28% of the concentrate can be composed of citrus pulp in horse diets without causing any alterations on the concentrations of the parameters analyzed in the blood. High-fiber diets with easily fermentable fibers are beneficial because they maintain the glucose and insulin curves close to the baseline levels.