Parâmetros metabólicos e fisiológicos de gatos recebendo dieta com glicerina ; Metabolic and physiological parameters of cats fed with a diet containing glycerine

The production and use of biodiesel in Brazil provide the development of a sustainable energetic source regarding environmental, economical and social aspects. Biodiesel production generates residues such as glycerin, and sustainable measures to reuse these wastes need to be developed in order to protect the environment. Research about the addition of glycerin in animal feeding have been conducted and are feasible due to the possibility of reducing the diet costs because of the great product supply on the market. This work aimed at evaluating the metabolic and physiologic parameters of cats receiving glycerin in their diets. The experiment was conducted in a cattery at the Animal Science Department from the Federal University of Lavras. A total of 30 adults cats, males and females of mixed breed weighting 3.52 ± 0.67 kg, were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (control and substitution of 4, 8, 12 and 16% of glycerin), during 15 days. The animals received 300 mL of water daily in order to determine water consumption. Statistical analyses were conducted using the SISVAR computational program and averages of the treatments were compared by Dunnet test. According to the results, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) for the following coefficients: apparent digestibility of dry matter, mineral materials, crude protein, ether extract and apparent metabolizable energy in the dry matter of diets. There was a significant increase (P<0.05) of the apparent digestibility of dry matter in the diet with 12% of substitution of glycerin. Serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, AST and ALT and creatinine levels were not affected by the inclusion of glycerin (P> 0.05). However, there was a significant reduction of the urea blood concentration (P<0.05). The urinal density and pH values did not change significantly (P>0.05). The substitution of 12% of glycerin presented, in general, the best results of the variables herein studied. However, ...