Reproductive and metabolic responses of ewes fed dehydrated cashew apple bagasse during the postpartum period

The effect of the addition of dehydrated cashew apple bagasse (DCB) to the diet on ewe postpartum response was evaluated on 41 ewes, housed with their kids in pens, where they received two diets containing 75% of Elephant Grass plus 25% of concentrate (Diet I; n=17), or 50% of DCB plus 25% of Elephant Grass plus 25% of concentrate (Diet II; n=24). On the 50(th) day postpartum, estrus was synchronized and ewes mated. Diet I-group exhibited a greater loss of live weight (P<0.05) and higher intakes of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber (P<0.001). By contrast, animals from diet II showed a significantly increase in dry matter, ether extract, and acid detergent fiber intakes (P<0.001), and lower plasmatic concentrations of cholesterol, total lipids, albumin, and total protein (P<0.001). No differences were found between groups (P>0.05) for the presence of first functionally CL, estrus synchronization response, and gestation or prolificity rates. Thus, the addition of DCB to the diet was well accepted, induced a reduction of weight loss, and did not affect the reproductive response of ewes.