Replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast in the diet of feedlot lambs: nutritional and metabolic traits

Replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast in the diet of feedlot lambs: nutritional and metabolic traits | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast in the diet of feedlot lambs: nutritional and metabolic traits Amanda maria Silva Alencar, Euclides Reuter de Oliveira, Eduardo Lucas Terra Peixoto, and 5 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7104792/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Liquid yeast is a by-product of the sugar and alcohol industry with potential for use in ruminant diets. However, there are doubts as to how much should be included in the diet of lambs in the finishing phase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast in the diet of lambs in confinement on consumption, nutrient digestibility, rumen and blood parameters, microbial protein synthesis and the animals' ingestive behavior. Five experimental diets with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement of soybean meal by liquid yeast in the dry matter were evaluated. Ten uncastrated male Santa Inês x Dorper crossbred lambs were used, with an average weight of 22.6 ± 5 kg and an average age of 4 months. The animals were randomly allocated to a double and simultaneous Latin square design (5×5). The study lasted 105 days, with each experimental period lasting 21 days and an adaptation period of 15 days. The inclusion of liquid yeast in the lambs' diet changed their intake of dry matter and nutrients.The variables fitted a quadratic regression model, with maximum points observed for DM (14.02%), OM (15.78%), MM (10.00%), CP (16.50%), NDF (15.87%), FDA (11.73%), CpNDF (11.62%), total carbohydrates (14.28%), NFC (12.29%) and NDT (13.92%). Digestibility (g/kg) was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the levels of DM, OM, CP, NDF and total carbohydrates, showing a linear behavior, while NFC showed a quadratic adjustment, with a maximum point at 6.71%. The parameters of purines absorbed and microbial proteins showed a significant increasing linear effect (p < 0.05), while the parameters of plasma urea, nitrogen ingested, nitrogen in the feces, nitrogen retained, nitrogen absorbed and nitrogen balance showed a significant decreasing linear effect (p < 0.05). Replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast from the sugar-alcohol industry in lamb diets can be done safely up to a level of 50%, based on dry matter intake, digestibility and rumen parameters. Alternative protein consumption digestibility nitrogen compounds saccharomyces cerevisiae Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction Animal feed is one of the main components influencing total production costs in livestock systems, with crude protein representing the most economically significant nutrient. Therefore, improving feed efficiency is essential to ensure the sustainability and profitability of animal production, particularly in intensive systems (Marques et al., 2024). In Brazil, soybean meal is the primary source of nitrogen compounds in ruminant diets, providing approximately 488 g/kg of crude protein, with a high biological value and digestibility due to its favorable amino acid profile (Valadares Filho et al., 2016). However, as a globally traded commodity, soybean meal is subject to price fluctuations, seasonal availability, and climate-related variability, which can increase production costs and limit access for some producers. These challenges have driven the search for alternative protein sources that can partially or fully replace soybean meal without compromising animal performance. Liquid yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ), a by-product of the sugar-alcohol industry, has emerged as a potential alternative feed ingredient for ruminants. It contains an average of 244 g/kg DM of crude protein, is rich in B-complex vitamins and minerals, and has a high proportion (approximately 80%) of true protein, indicating a favorable amino acid composition (Rose and Harrison, 1970; Ezequiel et al., 2000 ; Valadares Filho et al., 2016). The use of liquid yeast in the diets of finishing lambs may contribute to the valorization of agro-industrial residues and reduce dependence on conventional protein sources, thereby supporting both economic and environmental sustainability. However, it is necessary to understand the effects of this substitution on nutrient utilization, animal performance, and metabolic parameters. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of liquid yeast inclusion as a replacement for soybean meal in the diets of confined lambs, focusing on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal and blood parameters, and microbial protein synthesis. Material and Methods Local The procedures of this study were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee (CEUA) of the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), under protocol number 23003. The experiment was conducted at the “Nossa Senhora Abadia” farm, located in the municipality of Douradina, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (22°13′18″ S, 54°48′23″ W). The region has a humid subtropical climate (Cwa), with an average annual rainfall of 1,500 mm and a mean temperature of 22°C. Animals, treatments, experimental design and diets Ten crossbred Santa Inês × Dorper male lambs, non-castrated, with an average initial body weight of 22.6 ± 5 kg and an average age of 4 months, were used in this study. The animals were housed in individual pens (1.5 m²) equipped with individual feeders and waterers. A randomized double 5×5 Latin square design was used. The trial lasted 105 days, divided into five experimental periods of 21 days each, including 15 days for adaptation. The diets were formulated to meet the maintenance and production requirements of the animals, according to NRC (2001). Five experimental diets were evaluated, containing 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% (as-fed basis) inclusion levels of liquid yeast as a replacement for soybean meal. All diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous. The forage-to-concentrate ratio was 20:80. The feed was offered twice daily (07:30 and 14:00), in equal portions (50:50), and water was provided ad libitum. Feed refusals were collected and weighed daily, and adjusted to maintain 5 to 10% orts. The chemical composition of the ingredients is presented in Table 1 . The ingredient proportions and chemical composition of the experimental diets are shown in Table 2 . Table 1 Chemical composition of the ingredients used to manufacture the experimental diets Item (g/kg) Liquid yeast Soybean meal Oat hay Ground corn Dry matter 189 858 846 848 Mineral matter 52.7 74.7 89.1 26.2 Organic matter 947 925 910 973 Crude protein 314 482 106 96.2 Ethereal extract 2.80 12.6 17.3 38.0 Neutral detergent fiber a 71.1 17.2 652 32.2 Acid detergent fiber a 1.38 3.94 6.76 1.04 Neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein 59.6 11.7 608 30.2 Total carbohydrates b 601 430 787 839 Non-fibrous carbohydrates b 509 257 135 516 a Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; b Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); c Calculation by Weiss (1998). Table 2 Proportion and chemical composition (on a DM basis) of the experimental diets for finishing lambs Item Níveis de levedura líquida na dieta (%) 0 25 50 75 100 Proporção (g/kg de MS) Oat hay 200 200 200 200 200 Ground corn 608 591 572 552 524 Soybean meal 171 130 91,6 52,7 0 Liquid yeast 0 58,3 116 174 256 Water 503 388 274 159 0 Mineral mix 19.7 19.7 19.7 19.7 19.7 Chemical composition (g/kg de MS) Dry matter 866 717 612 534 453 Mineral matter 46.6 46.1 45.8 45.5 45.1 Organic matter 933 927 934 934 935 Crude protein 162 159 157 154 152 Ethereal extract 28.7 27.7 26.7 25.6 24.1 Neutral detergent fiber a 356 348 339 330 317 Acid detergent fiber a 266 256 247 237 235 Neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein 328 321 314 316 309 Total carbohydrates b 742 746 750 754 759 Non-fibrous carbohydrates b 385 398 411 424 447 Total digestible nutrients c 600 604 608 611 617 DM – Dry matter ; a Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; b Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); c Calculation by Weiss (1998). Liquid yeast procurement The liquid yeast used in this experiment was sourced from a sugar and ethanol processing plant located 67.2 km from the “Nossa Senhora Abadia” farm. Upon arrival at the property, the yeast was stored in a 10,000 liter polyethylene tank. To ensure proper homogenization and prevent sedimentation, an electric motor was installed and connected to the tank to mix the liquid product. Homogenization was performed daily for 10 minutes prior to sampling for feed inclusion. The liquid yeast remained stored for a period of seven months. Chemical composition Samples of the diets, individual ingredients, and feed refusals from each animal were collected and pre-dried in a forced-air oven at 55°C. Subsequently, the samples were ground in a knife mill using a 1 mm mesh screen for laboratory analyses. The following components were analyzed: dry matter (INCT-CA G-001/1 and G-003/1), crude protein (INCT-CA N-001/2), ether extract (INCT-CA G-005/1), ash (INCT-CA M-001/1), neutral detergent fiber (NDF; INCT-CA F-002/1), acid detergent fiber (ADF; INCT-CA F-004/1), neutral detergent-insoluble ash (INCT-CA M-002/1), and neutral detergent-insoluble protein (INCT-CA N-004/001), following the analytical procedures recommended by Detmann et al. ( 2021 ). Nutrient intake and digestibility During the five-day collection period of each 21 day experimental phase, feed intake was measured by recording the amount of feed offered and the corresponding refusals. Total fecal collection was performed on days 1, 2, and 3 of each collection period. Fecal output was weighed, homogenized, and stored at -20°C. After thawing, the fecal samples were pre-dried in a forced-air oven (60°C for 72 hours) and ground in a knife mill using a 1mm sieve. The apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients were calculated using the following equation: [Intake − Fecal excretion] / Intake. Based on the digestibility coefficients, the total digestible nutrient (TDN) content of the diets was estimated. Rumen parameters To evaluate ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) concentrations, rumen fluid samples were collected on the 21st day of each experimental period. Sampling was performed using an esophageal probe connected to a vacuum pump. A 50 mL sample of rumen fluid was collected four hours after feeding. The fluid was filtered through a layer of cheesecloth, as described by Raun and Burroughs ( 1962 ). The ruminal pH was measured immediately after collection using a benchtop digital pH meter (Microprocessed pH Meter R-TEC-7-MP). For the determination of NH 3 -N, the filtered rumen fluid was transferred into 10 mL test tubes and centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 15 minutes. The resulting supernatant was transferred to Eppendorf tubes and analyzed for NH 3 -N concentration using the colorimetric method described by Kulasek ( 1972 ) and adapted by Foldager (1977). Blood parameters Blood samples were collected four hours after feeding, at 7:30 AM, using needles and Vacutainer tubes. The samples were kept on ice for cooling until processing by centrifugation at 3,500 rpm for 15 minutes. Serum was then separated, transferred to microtubes (Eppendorf), and stored frozen until analysis, following the methodology described by Souza et al. ( 2022 ). Subsequently, urea concentration was determined using a specific commercial kit and an automatic calibration spectrophotometer. Microbial protein synthesis Total urine collection was performed on days 17, 18, and 19 of each experimental period. Spot urine samples were collected by spontaneous urination four hours after feeding. The samples were filtered using cheesecloth, and 10 mL aliquots were diluted in 40 mL of 0,036 N sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) (Valadares et al., 1999 ). The pH was adjusted to values below 3. Subsequently, the samples were stored at -20°C. Estimates of microbial protein production followed the methodology described by Fujihara et al. ( 1987 ). Purine derivatives (allantoin and uric acid) were analyzed by the colorimetric method described by Chen and Gomes ( 1992 ). Allantoin determination was performed based on the method described by Young and Conway (1942), as cited by Chen and Gomes ( 1992 ), which involves alkaline hydrolysis of allantoin to allantoic acid at 100°C, followed by its conversion to urea and glyoxylic acid in acidic solution. Absorbed microbial purines (X, mmol/day) were calculated from purine derivative excretion (Y, mmol/day) using the equation: Y = 0.84X + (0.150 × BW 0.75 × e − 0.25X ), where 0.84 is the recovery of absorbed purines as urinary purine derivatives, and 0.150 × BW 0.75 × e (−0.25X) represents the endogenous contribution to purine excretion (Verbic et al., 1990 ). The intestinal flow of nitrogenous compounds (Y, g N/day) was calculated based on absorbed microbial purines (X, mmol/day) using the equation: Y = (70 × X) / (0.83 × 0.116 × 1000), where 70 is the nitrogen content in purines (mg N/mmol), 0.83 is the digestibility of microbial purines, and 0.116 is the ratio of purine nitrogen to bacterial nitrogen. Microbial production was expressed as grams of microbial nitrogen (g N microbial) and microbial protein (g microbial protein). Nitrogen balance was assessed by quantifying nitrogen content in urine and feces according to AOAC (2000). The calculations were performed using the following formulas: Nitrogen absorbed = Nitrogen consumed − Nitrogen in feces; Nitrogen retained = Nitrogen consumed − (Nitrogen in feces + Nitrogen in urine); Nitrogen balance = Nitrogen ingested − Nitrogen retained. Feeding behavior Feeding behavior evaluations were conducted following the methodology of Bürger et al. ( 2000 ). Visual observations of each animal in its pen were performed every 10 minutes over a 12 hour period (from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM) on the 16th day of each experimental period. The recorded activities included feeding, resting, and ruminating. Statistical analyses All data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SISVAR®. Analysis of variance was performed adopting a significance level of 5%. Data on dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, hematological parameters, microbial protein synthesis, and nitrogen balance were analyzed according to the following model: Yijk = µ + Ai + Pj + Qk + Sl + Sl(Em) + eijklm where: Yijyk = Dependent variable, Ai = Animal effect (j = 1 a 10), Pj = Period effect (y = 1 a 5), Qk = Square effect (k = 2), Sl = Effect of liquid yeast (l = 1 a 5), Sl (Em) = interaction effect and eijklm = error. The random effect of the model (random) was characterized by: Ai and Pj. The degrees of freedom were corrected by DDFM = kr. The means, when significant by the F test, were analyzed by means of polynomial regression. For exploratory data analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were performed using PAST® version 4.03 software (Hammer et al., 2001). Results The levels of liquid yeast replacement significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients (TDN). The mean values fitted a quadratic regression model with maximum intake levels observed at 14.02%, 15.78%, 16.50%, 15.87%, 11.73%, 14.28%, 12.29%, and 13.92%, respectively, in the same order. On the other hand, the intake of ether extract (kg d⁻¹) showed a linear decreasing trend according to the regression model (Table 3 ). Table 3 Dry matter and nutrient intake in finishing lambs in confinement fed diets containing levels of liquid yeast as a replacement for soybean meal (on a natural matter basis) Item Liquid yeast levels (%) in the diet SEM P-value 0 25 50 75 100 D L Q Consumption (kg/d) Dry matter 2.77 2.14 1.75 1.50 1.17 0.04 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 d Organic matter 2.59 2.01 1.64 1.39 1.08 0.04 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 e Mineral matter 0.12 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.04 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 f Ethereal extract 0.06 0.05 0.03 0.03 0.02 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 g 0.35 Crude protein 0.42 0.33 0.27 0.23 0.18 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 h Neutral detergent fiber a 1.07 0.85 0.66 0.55 0.42 0.02 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 i Acid detergent fiber a 0.57 0.42 0.33 0.27 0.22 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 9 Neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein 1.80 0.81 0.63 0.55 0.42 0.02 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 10 Total carbohydrates b 2.09 1.62 1.32 1.12 0.88 0.03 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 11 Non-fibrous carbohydrates b 1.04 0.78 0.66 0.57 0.46 0.02 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 12 Total digestible nutrients c 1.64 1.26 1.04 0.88 0.69 0.03 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 13 Standard error of the mean – SEM; Diet – D; Linear – L; Quadratic – Q; a Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; b Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); c Calculation by Weiss (1998); y d =2.74-0.02X + 0.0010X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y e = 2.57-0.02X + 0.001X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y f =0.12-0.0012X + 0.00005X 2 , R 2 = 0.98; y g = 0.06-0.00043X, R²=0.97; y h =0.42-0.0034X + 0.00010X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y i = 1.10-0.009X + 0.000029X², R 2 = 0.99; y j = 0.57-0.010X + 0.00026X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y k =1.07-0.010X + 0.00043X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y l =2.07-0.02X + 0.001X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y m =1.02-0.01X + 0.0004X 2 , R 2 = 0.98; y n =1.62-0.014X + 0.00051X 2 , R 2 = 0.99. The inclusion of liquid yeast in the lambs' diet altered crude protein intake based on metabolic weight, showing a linear decreasing effect (p < 0.05). For the other nutrients, a quadratic effect was observed for the intake of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, neutral detergent fiber corrected for CP (NDFcp), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients (TDN), with maximum intake points ranging from 11.16–18.00% replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast (Table 4 ). Table 4 Dry matter and nutrient intake (expressed as metabolic weight) in finishing lambs in confinement fed diets containing levels of liquid yeast as a replacement for soybean meal (on a natural matter basis) Item Liquid yeast levels (%) in the diet SEM P-value 0 25 50 75 100 D L Q Consumption expressed in metabolic weight Dry matter 0.18 0.14 0.11 0.10 0.07 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 d Organic matter 0.17 0.13 0.10 0.09 0.07 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 e Crude protein 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 f 0.35 Neutral detergent fiber a 0.07 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 g Acid detergent fiber a 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 h Neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein 0.07 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 i Total carbohydrates b 0.13 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.05 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 j Non-fibrous carbohydrates b 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.03 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 k Total digestible nutrients c 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.04 < 0.01 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 l Standard error of the mean – SEM; Diet – D; Linear – L; Quadratic – Q; a Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; b Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); c Calculation by Weiss (1998); y d =0.18-0.002X + 0.00005X 2 , R 2 = 0.98; y e =0.20-0.0014X + 00004X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y f = 0.03- 0.002X, R²=0.99; y g =0.07-0.001X + 0.00002X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y h =0.04-0.00035X + 0.00001X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y i =0.70-0.0007X + 0.00003X 2 , R 2 = 0.98; y j =0.13-0.0011X + 0.00003X 2 , R 2 = 0.99; y k =0.06-0.0005X + 0.00002X 2 , R 2 = 0.98; y l =0.11-0.001X + 0.00003X 2 , R 2 = 0.99. Replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast resulted in a linear decrease (p < 0.05) in the digestibility (g kg⁻¹) of dry matter and other nutrients. The digestibility of DM decreased from 925.67 g kg⁻¹ in the control diet to 862.13 g kg⁻¹ in the diet with 100% replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast. The digestibility of OM, CP, NDF, and total carbohydrates decreased by 8.86%, 12.11%, 17.23%, and 8.19%, respectively, with increasing levels of soybean meal replacement. The digestibility of NFC (g kg⁻¹) was significantly affected and followed a quadratic pattern (p < 0.05), with a maximum point observed at 6.71% replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast (Table 5 ). Table 5 Digestibility coefficients of diets for finishing lambs in confinement containing levels of liquid yeast as a replacement for soybean meal (on a natural matter basis) Item Liquid yeast levels (%) in the diet SEM P-value 0 25 50 75 100 D L Q Digestibility (g/kg) Dry matter 889 862 849 819 803 7.99 < 0.05 < 0.05c 0.87 Organic matter 898 874 864 830 818 7.59 < 0.05 < 0.05d 0.98 Crude protein 868 820 814 787 763 11.1 < 0.05 < 0.05e 0.54 Neutral detergent fiber a 860 817 797 782 711 12.0 < 0.05 < 0.05f 0.26 Total carbohydrates b 901 882 869 839 827 7.14 < 0.05 < 0.05g 0.90 Non-fibrous carbohydrates b 970 963 940 914 952 6.30 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 h Standard error of the mean – SEM; Diet – D; Linear – L; Quadratic – Q; a Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; b Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); y c = 887.7-0.8X, R 2 = 0.98; y d =897.7 -0.8X, R 2 = 0.97; y e =859.4 -0.9X, R 2 = 0.95; y f =860.3-1.32X, R 2 = 0.93; y g =901.8-0.8X, R 2 = 0.98; y h =977.4-1.3X + 0.098X 2 , R 2 = 0.64. There was no significant effect on ruminal pH (p > 0.05), with an average value of 6.31. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (N-NH₃) and urinary nitrogen showed significant quadratic effects (p < 0.05). A significant linear increase (p < 0.05) was observed for absorbed purines and microbial protein synthesis. Plasma urea concentration, nitrogen intake, fecal nitrogen, retained nitrogen, absorbed nitrogen, and nitrogen balance were significantly affected (p < 0.05), exhibiting a linear decreasing trend (Table 6 ). Table 6 Mean time spent on feeding, rumination, and idling activities by lambs fed diets with substitution of soybean meal by yeast during a 12-hour evaluation period. Item Liquid yeast levels (%) in the diet SEM P-value 0 25 50 75 100 D L Q Minutes/12 hours Feeding 200 171 195 187 178 6.53 > 0.05 - - Ruminating 85.0 82.0 78.0 93.0 81.0 5.04 0.29 - - Ócio 355 393 383 359 352 7.89 > 0.05 - - Feed efficiency DM a 14.9 14.0 9.68 8.77 6.92 0.61 < 0.05 < 0.05 a 0.45 Feed efficiency CP b 2.34 2.10 1.53 1.31 1.04 0.08 < 0.05 < 0.05 b 0.36 Feed efficiency NDF c 5.72 5.55 3.65 3.19 2.53 0.27 < 0.05 < 0.05 c 0.65 RUM DM efficiency d 14.9 14.0 9.68 8.77 6.94 0.61 < 0.05 < 0.05 d 0.45 RUM NDF efficiency e 16.9 11.8 9.73 6.91 9.32 1.15 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 Standard error of the mean – SEM; Diet – D; Linear – L; Quadratic – Q; a Eficiência alimentar da matéria seca; b Eficiência alimentar da proteína bruta; c Eficiência alimentar da fibra em detergente neutro; d Rumination dry matter feed efficiency; e Feed efficiency of rumination of neutral detergent fiber; \(\:\text{y}\text{f}=15.143467\:-0.085279\text{x},\:\text{R}2=0.9417\) ; y g =2.34913-0.013580x, R 2 = 0.9732; y h =5.879600-0,034965x, R 2 = 0.9291; y i =15.143467 -0.085279, x R 2 = 0.9417; y j = 17.017552-0.244194 + 0.001636, R 2 = 0.9677. The replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast in lamb diets did not affect (p > 0.05) the time spent feeding, ruminating, or idling. However, the substitution levels influenced (p < 0.05) the feeding efficiency of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber, as well as the rumination efficiency of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, all showing a linear decreasing pattern (Table 7 ). Table 7 Means of ruminal pH and ammonia, blood urea, estimated microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen intake, fecal nitrogen, urinary nitrogen, absorbed nitrogen, and nitrogen balance in lamb diets with substitution of soybean meal by liquid yeast. Item Liquid yeast levels (%) in the diet SEM P-value 0 25 50 75 100 D L Q Ruminal parameters pH 6.46 6.34 6.35 6.19 6.23 0.08 0.21 - - N-NH 3 23.9 27.3 27.8 25.0 14.5 2.45 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 a Plasma parameter, mg/dL Urea 36.4 32.6 32.6 28.6 25.8 2.64 0.05 < 0.05 b 0.82 Purine derivatives Absorbed purines, mmol/dia 5.43 4.55 4.22 11.0 9.22 1.28 < 0.05 < 0.05 c 0.28 Microbial Protein, g/dia 11.6 9.74 9.05 23.7 19.7 2.75 < 0.05 < 0.05 d 0.28 Consumption, g/dia Nitrogen ingested, g/dia 72.3 64.1 43.0 40.8 28.2 3.24 < 0.05 < 0.05 e 0.41 Excretion, g/dia Fecal nitrogen, g/dia 2.80 3.35 2.18 2.45 1.60 0.26 < 0.05 < 0.05 f 0.18 Urinary nitrogen, g/dia 3.03 2.42 1.27 1.31 0.94 0.04 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 g Nitrogen balance, g/dia Held 66.4 58.3 39.5 37.1 25.6 3.03 < 0.05 < 0.05 h 0.40 Absorbed, g/dia 69.5 60.7 40.8 38.4 26.6 3.10 < 0.05 < 0.05 i 0.33 Nitrogen balance, g/dia 66.4 58.3 39.5 37.1 25.6 3.03 < 0.05 < 0.05 j 0.40 Standard error of the mean – SEM; Diet – D; Linear – L; Quadratic – Q; y a = -0.0035x2 + 0.2699x + 23.517x 2 R² = 0.9780, maximum point 38.55%; y b =36.28850-0.100878x, R 2 = 0.9499; y c = 4.081800 + 0.056388x R 2 = 0.5284; y d =8.739800 + 0.120724x R 2 = 0.5285;y e =71.995600-0.44554x R 2 = 0.9529; y f =3.13760-0.01321x R 2 = 0.6329; y g =3.09802-0.04036x + 0.00192x 2 R 2 = 0.9484 maximum point 10.51%; yh = 65.999200-0.411132x R 2 = 0.9584; y i = 68.85880-0.43236x R 2 = 0.9562; y j = 65.99920-0.411132x R 2 = 0.9584 Table 8 presents the results of the principal component analysis (PCA) applied to the dependent variables. The first principal component (PC1) explained 83.37% of the total data variation, while the second principal component (PC2) accounted for 7.19%. Together, these components explained 90.56% of the total variation. From Fig. 1 , it is possible to identify the variables with the highest coefficients in each component, particularly those associated with PC1. Within PC1, the dependent variables with the highest coefficients were neutral detergent fiber intake (0.1630), crude protein intake (0.1626), organic matter intake (0.1625), and dry matter intake (0.1623). The variables with the highest eigenvectors within PC1 and PC2 included mineral matter intake, ash- and protein-corrected NDF intake, feeding time, and rumination time. Table 8 Joint principal component analysis of the diets evaluated on the dependent variables PC Eigenvalue Variance, % 1 37.5 83.3 2 32.0 7.19 3 24.0 5.32 4 2.00 4.10 PC – Principal component Figure 2 illustrates the dissimilarity relationships among treatments, revealing the formation of two clusters. The 70% and 100% replacement treatments showed the lowest Euclidean distance between them. In the second cluster, notable dissimilarity was observed between the 25% and 50% replacement diets. The cluster analysis suggests that the dependent variables associated with the 70% and 100% yeast inclusion diets are similar, as are those for the 25% and 50% inclusion diets. Discussion The replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast resulted in a reduction in dry matter intake and the intake of other nutrients. This effect can be attributed to the physical properties of the yeast, such as its agglutination capacity, which may impair the animals’ ability to selectively consume diet components. Furthermore, the tendency of the liquid yeast to settle at the bottom of the feed trough may have contributed to the reduced intake of crude protein (CP) and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), since the concentration of these fractions in the lower layer of the trough may have limited uniform access to the feed. The agglutination capacity of the yeast and its tendency to accumulate in the oral cavity, thereby hindering intake, was also reported by Campos et al. ( 2014 ). Therefore, diets with 75% and 100% replacement of soybean meal by liquid yeast should be avoided, as they show similar intake patterns, as indicated by the cluster analysis. Based on the dry matter and nutrient intake behavior observed in confined lambs, these variables were highly relevant in the principal component analysis. Higher intakes of dry matter and crude protein were identified as desirable in the PCA. According to the animals' nutritional requirements for dry matter and crude protein, adequate intake was observed when up to 75% of the soybean meal was replaced by liquid yeast. Liquid yeast has a characteristic alcoholic odor, and although it contains a low ether extract content (0.28%), it may impair intake due to the animals’ sensitivity to organoleptic changes in the diet (Van Soest, 1994 ). Replacement levels of up to 75% with liquid yeast met the maintenance and production requirements recommended by the NRC (2001). The observed reduction in the digestibility of dry matter and other nutrients can be attributed to the physical characteristics of the diet, particularly the small particle size derived from the hay. The presence of short particles, combined with the high NFC content, may have contributed to an increased passage rate of digesta through the gastrointestinal tract. This reduction in rumen retention time may have limited the activity of ruminal microorganisms and consequently impaired nutrient digestibility. The replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast increased the NFC concentrations in the diet. However, this replacement resulted in reduced CP intake, leading to a lack of synchronization in the NFC:CP ratio. As a result, a reduction in the digestibility of non-fibrous carbohydrates was observed, decreasing from 972.99 g/kg in the control diet to 914.49 g/kg in the diet with 100% soybean meal replacement by liquid yeast (NRC, 1985). Although the substitution affected nutrient intake and digestibility, it did not alter feeding and rumination times in the lambs. This result can be attributed to the maintained fiber supply in the diet, which, despite having lower physical effectiveness due to smaller particle size, was sufficient to stimulate the mechanoreceptors in the rumen wall that induce rumination (Mertens, 1997 ). Rumination time ranged from 78 to 93 minutes/12 h, indicating that mechanical stimulation for rumination was preserved, even with a reduction in dietary fiber proportion. Moreover, the fiber content of the diets remained above 30%, which is higher than the minimum recommended level to maintain rumen function and contributes to ruminal pH stability (NRC, 2001). The average ruminal pH was 6.31, a value considered adequate to maintain a healthy rumen environment and microbial activity (Van Soest, 1994 ). Thus, the chemical changes in the diet did not impair rumen function or ingestive behavior, due to the continuous presence of sufficient fiber to promote chewing, salivation, and ruminal buffering. Despite the reduction in nitrogen intake, an increase in microbial protein production (g/day) was observed, which may be related to the solubility of the yeast. Liquid yeast contains a highly soluble nitrogen fraction, with solubility estimated at up to 75.97% (Machado, 2021), consisting of free amino acids, short-chain peptides, and non-protein nitrogen compounds (Ezequiel et al., 2000 ; Freitas et al., 2024 ). Microbial protein production showed a linear increase, reaching 23.7 g/day and 19.74 g/day at 75% and 100% soybean meal replacement, respectively. This indicates that the readily available nitrogen compounds were utilized by proteolytic bacteria for microbial protein synthesis. Additionally, the yeast presents thinner or disrupted cell walls, which facilitate microbial access to free amino acids and peptides, allowing for their rapid release in the rumen. These compounds are used as an energy source for microbial synthesis (Lima et al., 2009 ). In contrast, soybean meal protein is structurally more complex and degrades more slowly. The replacement levels led to reduced N-NH₃ and plasma urea concentrations, indicating changes in ruminal nitrogen metabolism. Ammonia levels decreased from 28.72 mg/dL at 38.55% replacement to 14.51 mg/dL at 100% replacement. Similarly, plasma urea levels showed a linear reduction, from 36.40 to 25.88 mg/dL, suggesting reduced ruminal ammonia absorption and, consequently, reduced hepatic conversion to urea. Some ruminal bacteria, such as cellulolytic species, require synchronized nitrogen (as N-NH₃) and energy (carbon skeleton) release for effective protein synthesis and fiber degradation (Bach, 2005). The lack of synchronization between these nutrients may compromise their activity, reducing fiber digestibility efficiency, which could explain the lower NDF digestibility observed in this study (Table 5 ). Despite the lower nitrogen intake and reduced urinary and fecal nitrogen excretion, the values were sufficient to meet the lambs’ maintenance requirements. In the present study, nitrogen balance values ranged from 25.68 to 66.47 g/day, demonstrating that even at the highest levels of soybean meal replacement by liquid yeast, the diets remained efficient in promoting nitrogen retention compatible with the animals' developmental stage. Conclusion The replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast derived from the sugar-alcohol industry in lamb diets can be carried out up to 50%, based on dry matter intake and digestibility, ruminal parameters, and principal component analysis. Replacements above this level may lead to reduced performance in lambs. Declarations Declaration of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and the Foundation for the Support of the Development of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT) for financial support and scholarships granted. Funding Statement This study was carried out with the support of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – Brazil (CAPES) – Funding Code 001. The authors would also like to express their sincere gratitude to CAPES for the financial support granted through the doctoral scholarship [03/2022]. Data Availability Statement The dataset generated during the present study is not publicly available due to institutional restrictions and data confidentiality, but can be provided by the corresponding author upon reasonable request. References [AOAC] Assn. of Official Analytical Chemists (2000) Coffee and tea. In: Official methods of analysis. 17th ed. Gaithersburg, Md.: AOAC. Bach A, Calsamiglia S, Stern MD (2005). Nitrogen metabolism in the rumen. Journal of Dairy Science, 88 E. Suppl. Bürger PJ et al. (2000) Comportamento ingestivo em bezerros holandeses alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes níveis de concentrado & quot; Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 29: 236-242. Campos AF, Pereira OG, Ribeiro, KG, Santos SA, Valadares Filho SC (2014) Impact of replacing soybean meal in beef cattle diets with inactive dry yeast, a sugarcane by-product of ethanol distilleries and sugar mills. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 190:38 - 46. Chen XB, Gomes MJ (1992) Estimation of microbial protein supply to sheep and cattle based on urinary excretion of purine derivatives – an overview of technical details. (Occasional publication) INTERNATIONAL FEED RESEARCH UNIT. Bucksburnd, Aberdeen:Rowett Research Institute. 21p. Detmann E et al. (2021) Métodos para análise de alimentos. 2. ed. Visconde do Rio Branco, MG: Suprema, 350 p. Ezequiel JMB, Sampaio AAM, Seixas JRC, Oliveira MM (2000) Balanço de nitrogênio e digestão total da proteína e da energia de rações contendo farelo de algodão, levedura de cana-de-açúcar ou uréia, em ovinos. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 29:2332-2337. Freitas KS, Piovesan MR, Goudinho GK, Boscolo WR, Signor A, Bittencourt F (2024) Palatabilidade de dietas contendo hidrolisados proteicos de frango com inclusão de amido, maltodextrina e levedura para alevinos de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). Observatório de la economía latinoamericana, 22:(10), e7349. Fujihara T, ∅rskov ER, Reeds PJ et al. (1987) The effect of protein infusion on urinary excretion of purine derivatives in ruminants nourished by intragastric nutrition. J. Agric. Sci., 109:7-12. Kulasek G (1972) A micromethod for determining urea in blood plasma, Whole blood and blood corpuscles with the use of urease and phenol reagent. Polskie Archiwum Weterynaryjne, 15:801-810. Lima, JR, Ribon, AOB, Russell, JB, Hilário CM (2009) Bovicin HC5 inhibits wasteful amino acid degradation by mixed ruminal bacteria in vitro. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 292, p.78. Mertens DR (1997). Creating a system for meeting the fiber requirements of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci., 80:1463– 1481. National Research Council – NRC (1985) Nutrient requirements of sheep. 6.ed. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 99p. National Research Council – NRC (2001) Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. 7.ed. Washington, D.C.: 381p. Raun NS, Burroughs, W. (1962) Suction strainer technique in obtaining rumen fluid samples from intact lambs. Journal of Animal Science, 21:454-457. Rose AH, Harrison JN (1990) The Yeast. London: Academic Press. 1970. v.3. RUMSEY, G.L., HUGHES, S.G., KINSELLA, J.E. Use of dietary yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) nitrogen by lake trout. J. World Aquacult. Soc., 22:205. Sousa LB, Pereira MLA, Silva HGO, Silva LS, Santos EJ, Pereira TCJ, Correia GS, Sousa LB, Pereira CAR (2022). Creatinine and purine derivatives excretion and microbial synthesis in lambs fed rain tree pod meal. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 74:(1), 160-168. Souza MG, Reis IA, Carvalho IPC, Porcionato MADF, Prados LF, Granja-Salcedo YT, Siqueira GR, Resende FD (2022) Effects of Post-Ruminal Urea Supplementation during the Seasonal Period on Performance and Rumen Microbiome of Rearing Grazing Nellore Cattle, Animals, 12:3463. Valadares Filho SC, Lopes AS, Saraiva TD et al. (2023) CQBAL 4.0. Tabelas Brasileiras de Composição de Alimentos para Ruminantes. Disponível em: www.cqbal.com.br. Valadares RFD, Broderick GA, Valadares Filho SC, Clayton MK (1999) Effect of replacing alfalfa silage with high moisture corn on ruminal protein synthesis estimated from excretion of total purine derivatives. J. Dairy Sci. 8:2686-2696. Van Soest PJ (1994) Nutritional ecology of the ruminant. Cornell University Press. Verbic J, Chen XB, Macleod NA et al. (1990) Excretion of purine derivatives by ruminants. Effect of microbial nucleic acid infusion on purine derivative excretion by steers. Journal Agricultural Science, 114:243-246. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7104792","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":490703758,"identity":"254a10c5-4756-4dd1-ab3e-2a7ac8113ef1","order_by":0,"name":"Amanda maria Silva Alencar","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0790-0621","institution":"Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Amanda","middleName":"maria Silva","lastName":"Alencar","suffix":""},{"id":490703759,"identity":"62b67bb9-8594-45b8-98e7-3c00972d0207","order_by":1,"name":"Euclides Reuter de Oliveira","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UFGD: Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Euclides","middleName":"Reuter","lastName":"de Oliveira","suffix":""},{"id":490703760,"identity":"cbfb4079-4159-4ed9-b40a-93ac317f9199","order_by":2,"name":"Eduardo Lucas Terra Peixoto","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UFGD: Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eduardo","middleName":"Lucas Terra","lastName":"Peixoto","suffix":""},{"id":490703761,"identity":"d7f38769-57a4-4910-9489-3a7cf13c64de","order_by":3,"name":"Flávio Pinto Monção","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UNIMONTES: Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Flávio","middleName":"Pinto","lastName":"Monção","suffix":""},{"id":490703762,"identity":"98f6961a-1c07-4ee0-af1e-56630fc391f1","order_by":4,"name":"Janaina Tayná Silva","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UFGD: Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Janaina","middleName":"Tayná","lastName":"Silva","suffix":""},{"id":490703763,"identity":"27359155-217d-4e81-a81f-915840a3e370","order_by":5,"name":"Edgar Alain Collao Saenz","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Federal University of Jataí: Universidade Federal de Jatai","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Edgar","middleName":"Alain Collao","lastName":"Saenz","suffix":""},{"id":490703764,"identity":"bcaf485f-32e9-4e64-8dd7-7d56dab180a6","order_by":6,"name":"Andrea Maria de Araujo Gabriel","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UFGD: Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Andrea","middleName":"Maria de Araujo","lastName":"Gabriel","suffix":""},{"id":490703765,"identity":"a2fb5406-9c24-48bd-9cd3-febad3ca43b2","order_by":7,"name":"José Fernando Gonçalves de Medeiros","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UFGD: Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"José","middleName":"Fernando Gonçalves","lastName":"de Medeiros","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-07-11 23:16:37","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7104792/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7104792/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":87975280,"identity":"dd415ece-465c-44ad-b9e3-bfb26102bc0e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-31 04:04:00","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":64871,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSchematic representation of the first (CP1) and second (CP2) principal components of the analysis of the evaluated characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7104792/v1/2fab9a9ad1d6d49d5b1e28ed.png"},{"id":87975279,"identity":"bf266057-add5-4691-888e-fc5b0d011a3a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-31 04:03:49","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":7245,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSchematic representation of the first (CP1) and second (CP2) principal components of the analysis of the evaluated characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7104792/v1/6636ed34ad18352fbe8e3225.png"},{"id":95800583,"identity":"a373363e-163a-4848-b6c4-174ca2d4d30b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-13 08:22:57","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1233448,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7104792/v1/a06a670c-c7d4-4f07-b758-b0551a8e359b.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast in the diet of feedlot lambs: nutritional and metabolic traits","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAnimal feed is one of the main components influencing total production costs in livestock systems, with crude protein representing the most economically significant nutrient. Therefore, improving feed efficiency is essential to ensure the sustainability and profitability of animal production, particularly in intensive systems (Marques et al., 2024).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Brazil, soybean meal is the primary source of nitrogen compounds in ruminant diets, providing approximately 488 g/kg of crude protein, with a high biological value and digestibility due to its favorable amino acid profile (Valadares Filho et al., 2016). However, as a globally traded commodity, soybean meal is subject to price fluctuations, seasonal availability, and climate-related variability, which can increase production costs and limit access for some producers. These challenges have driven the search for alternative protein sources that can partially or fully replace soybean meal without compromising animal performance.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast (\u003cem\u003eSaccharomyces cerevisiae\u003c/em\u003e), a by-product of the sugar-alcohol industry, has emerged as a potential alternative feed ingredient for ruminants. It contains an average of 244 g/kg DM of crude protein, is rich in B-complex vitamins and minerals, and has a high proportion (approximately 80%) of true protein, indicating a favorable amino acid composition (Rose and Harrison, 1970; Ezequiel et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e; Valadares Filho et al., 2016).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe use of liquid yeast in the diets of finishing lambs may contribute to the valorization of agro-industrial residues and reduce dependence on conventional protein sources, thereby supporting both economic and environmental sustainability. However, it is necessary to understand the effects of this substitution on nutrient utilization, animal performance, and metabolic parameters.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTherefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of liquid yeast inclusion as a replacement for soybean meal in the diets of confined lambs, focusing on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal and blood parameters, and microbial protein synthesis.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Material and Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLocal\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The procedures of this study were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee (CEUA) of the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), under protocol number 23003. The experiment was conducted at the \u0026ldquo;Nossa Senhora Abadia\u0026rdquo; farm, located in the municipality of Douradina, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (22\u0026deg;13\u0026prime;18\u0026Prime; S, 54\u0026deg;48\u0026prime;23\u0026Prime; W). The region has a humid subtropical climate (Cwa), with an average annual rainfall of 1,500 mm and a mean temperature of 22\u0026deg;C.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnimals, treatments, experimental design and diets\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTen crossbred Santa In\u0026ecirc;s \u0026times; Dorper male lambs, non-castrated, with an average initial body weight of 22.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5 kg and an average age of 4 months, were used in this study. The animals were housed in individual pens (1.5 m\u0026sup2;) equipped with individual feeders and waterers. A randomized double 5\u0026times;5 Latin square design was used. The trial lasted 105 days, divided into five experimental periods of 21 days each, including 15 days for adaptation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The diets were formulated to meet the maintenance and production requirements of the animals, according to NRC (2001). Five experimental diets were evaluated, containing 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% (as-fed basis) inclusion levels of liquid yeast as a replacement for soybean meal. All diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous. The forage-to-concentrate ratio was 20:80. The feed was offered twice daily (07:30 and 14:00), in equal portions (50:50), and water was provided ad libitum.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed refusals were collected and weighed daily, and adjusted to maintain 5 to 10% orts. The chemical composition of the ingredients is presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The ingredient proportions and chemical composition of the experimental diets are shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eChemical composition of the ingredients used to manufacture the experimental diets\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem (g/kg)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoybean meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOat hay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGround corn\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDry matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e189\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e858\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e846\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e848\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMineral matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrganic matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e947\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e925\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e910\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e973\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrude protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e314\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e482\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e106\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthereal extract\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e652\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcid detergent fiber \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e608\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal carbohydrates \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e601\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e430\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e787\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e839\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNon-fibrous carbohydrates \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e509\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e257\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e135\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e516\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; b Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); \u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Weiss (1998).\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProportion and chemical composition (on a DM basis) of the experimental diets for finishing lambs\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN\u0026iacute;veis de levedura l\u0026iacute;quida na dieta (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePropor\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o (g/kg de MS)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOat hay\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGround corn\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e608\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e591\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e572\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e552\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e524\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoybean meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e171\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e91,6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52,7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58,3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e116\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e174\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e256\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e503\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e388\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e274\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e159\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMineral mix\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChemical composition (g/kg de MS)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDry matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e866\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e717\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e612\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e534\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e453\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMineral matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrganic matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e933\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e927\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e934\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e934\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e935\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrude protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e162\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e159\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e157\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e154\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e152\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthereal extract\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e356\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e348\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e339\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e330\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e317\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcid detergent fiber \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e266\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e256\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e247\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e237\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e235\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e328\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e321\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e314\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e316\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e309\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal carbohydrates \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e742\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e746\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e750\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e754\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e759\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNon-fibrous carbohydrates\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e385\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e398\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e411\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e424\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e447\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal digestible nutrients\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e600\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e604\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e608\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e611\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e617\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003eDM \u0026ndash; Dry matter\u003csup\u003e; a\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); \u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Weiss (1998).\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLiquid yeast procurement\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe liquid yeast used in this experiment was sourced from a sugar and ethanol processing plant located 67.2 km from the \u0026ldquo;Nossa Senhora Abadia\u0026rdquo; farm. Upon arrival at the property, the yeast was stored in a 10,000 liter polyethylene tank. To ensure proper homogenization and prevent sedimentation, an electric motor was installed and connected to the tank to mix the liquid product. Homogenization was performed daily for 10 minutes prior to sampling for feed inclusion. The liquid yeast remained stored for a period of seven months.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChemical composition\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSamples of the diets, individual ingredients, and feed refusals from each animal were collected and pre-dried in a forced-air oven at 55\u0026deg;C. Subsequently, the samples were ground in a knife mill using a 1 mm mesh screen for laboratory analyses. The following components were analyzed: dry matter (INCT-CA G-001/1 and G-003/1), crude protein (INCT-CA N-001/2), ether extract (INCT-CA G-005/1), ash (INCT-CA M-001/1), neutral detergent fiber (NDF; INCT-CA F-002/1), acid detergent fiber (ADF; INCT-CA F-004/1), neutral detergent-insoluble ash (INCT-CA M-002/1), and neutral detergent-insoluble protein (INCT-CA N-004/001), following the analytical procedures recommended by Detmann et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNutrient intake and digestibility\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDuring the five-day collection period of each 21 day experimental phase, feed intake was measured by recording the amount of feed offered and the corresponding refusals. Total fecal collection was performed on days 1, 2, and 3 of each collection period. Fecal output was weighed, homogenized, and stored at -20\u0026deg;C. After thawing, the fecal samples were pre-dried in a forced-air oven (60\u0026deg;C for 72 hours) and ground in a knife mill using a 1mm sieve. The apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients were calculated using the following equation: [Intake\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;Fecal excretion] / Intake.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on the digestibility coefficients, the total digestible nutrient (TDN) content of the diets was estimated.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRumen parameters\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo evaluate ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e-N) concentrations, rumen fluid samples were collected on the 21st day of each experimental period. Sampling was performed using an esophageal probe connected to a vacuum pump. A 50 mL sample of rumen fluid was collected four hours after feeding. The fluid was filtered through a layer of cheesecloth, as described by Raun and Burroughs (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1962\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ruminal pH was measured immediately after collection using a benchtop digital pH meter (Microprocessed pH Meter R-TEC-7-MP). For the determination of NH\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e-N, the filtered rumen fluid was transferred into 10 mL test tubes and centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 15 minutes. The resulting supernatant was transferred to Eppendorf tubes and analyzed for NH\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e-N concentration using the colorimetric method described by Kulasek (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1972\u003c/span\u003e) and adapted by Foldager (1977).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBlood parameters\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlood samples were collected four hours after feeding, at 7:30 AM, using needles and Vacutainer tubes. The samples were kept on ice for cooling until processing by centrifugation at 3,500 rpm for 15 minutes. Serum was then separated, transferred to microtubes (Eppendorf), and stored frozen until analysis, following the methodology described by Souza et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Subsequently, urea concentration was determined using a specific commercial kit and an automatic calibration spectrophotometer.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMicrobial protein synthesis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal urine collection was performed on days 17, 18, and 19 of each experimental period. Spot urine samples were collected by spontaneous urination four hours after feeding. The samples were filtered using cheesecloth, and 10 mL aliquots were diluted in 40 mL of 0,036 N sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) (Valadares et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e). The pH was adjusted to values below 3. Subsequently, the samples were stored at -20\u0026deg;C.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Estimates of microbial protein production followed the methodology described by Fujihara et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1987\u003c/span\u003e). Purine derivatives (allantoin and uric acid) were analyzed by the colorimetric method described by Chen and Gomes (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1992\u003c/span\u003e). Allantoin determination was performed based on the method described by Young and Conway (1942), as cited by Chen and Gomes (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1992\u003c/span\u003e), which involves alkaline hydrolysis of allantoin to allantoic acid at 100\u0026deg;C, followed by its conversion to urea and glyoxylic acid in acidic solution. Absorbed microbial purines (X, mmol/day) were calculated from purine derivative excretion (Y, mmol/day) using the equation: Y\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.84X + (0.150 \u0026times; BW\u003csup\u003e0.75\u003c/sup\u003e \u0026times; e\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.25X\u003c/sup\u003e), where 0.84 is the recovery of absorbed purines as urinary purine derivatives, and 0.150 \u0026times; BW\u003csup\u003e0.75\u003c/sup\u003e \u0026times; e\u003csup\u003e(\u0026minus;0.25X)\u003c/sup\u003e represents the endogenous contribution to purine excretion (Verbic et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe intestinal flow of nitrogenous compounds (Y, g N/day) was calculated based on absorbed microbial purines (X, mmol/day) using the equation: Y = (70 \u0026times; X) / (0.83 \u0026times; 0.116 \u0026times; 1000), where 70 is the nitrogen content in purines (mg N/mmol), 0.83 is the digestibility of microbial purines, and 0.116 is the ratio of purine nitrogen to bacterial nitrogen. Microbial production was expressed as grams of microbial nitrogen (g N microbial) and microbial protein (g microbial protein). Nitrogen balance was assessed by quantifying nitrogen content in urine and feces according to AOAC (2000). The calculations were performed using the following formulas: Nitrogen absorbed\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Nitrogen consumed\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;Nitrogen in feces; Nitrogen retained\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Nitrogen consumed \u0026minus; (Nitrogen in feces\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Nitrogen in urine); Nitrogen balance\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Nitrogen ingested\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;Nitrogen retained.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFeeding behavior\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding behavior evaluations were conducted following the methodology of B\u0026uuml;rger et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e). Visual observations of each animal in its pen were performed every 10 minutes over a 12 hour period (from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM) on the 16th day of each experimental period. The recorded activities included feeding, resting, and ruminating.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eStatistical analyses\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SISVAR\u0026reg;. Analysis of variance was performed adopting a significance level of 5%. Data on dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, hematological parameters, microbial protein synthesis, and nitrogen balance were analyzed according to the following model:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYijk\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;\u0026micro;\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Ai\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Pj\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Qk\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Sl\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Sl(Em)\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;eijklm\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ewhere: Yijyk\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Dependent variable, Ai\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Animal effect (j\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1 a 10), Pj\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Period effect (y\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1 a 5), Qk\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Square effect (k\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2), Sl\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Effect of liquid yeast (l\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1 a 5), Sl (Em)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;interaction effect and eijklm\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;error. The random effect of the model (random) was characterized by: Ai and Pj. The degrees of freedom were corrected by DDFM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;kr. The means, when significant by the F test, were analyzed by means of polynomial regression. For exploratory data analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were performed using PAST\u0026reg; version 4.03 software (Hammer et al., 2001).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe levels of liquid yeast replacement significantly influenced (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) the intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients (TDN). The mean values fitted a quadratic regression model with maximum intake levels observed at 14.02%, 15.78%, 16.50%, 15.87%, 11.73%, 14.28%, 12.29%, and 13.92%, respectively, in the same order. On the other hand, the intake of ether extract (kg d⁻\u0026sup1;) showed a linear decreasing trend according to the regression model (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDry matter and nutrient intake in finishing lambs in confinement fed diets containing levels of liquid yeast as a replacement for soybean meal (on a natural matter basis)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast levels (%) in the diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eQ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConsumption (kg/d)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDry matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrganic matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMineral matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthereal extract\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrude protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcid detergent fiber\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003e9\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal carbohydrates \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003e11\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNon-fibrous carbohydrates\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003e12\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal digestible nutrients\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003e13\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003eStandard error of the mean \u0026ndash; SEM; Diet \u0026ndash; D; Linear \u0026ndash; L; Quadratic \u0026ndash; Q; \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); \u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Weiss (1998); y\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e=2.74-0.02X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.0010X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e= 2.57-0.02X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.001X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e=0.12-0.0012X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00005X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98; y\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e= 0.06-0.00043X, R\u0026sup2;=0.97; y\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e=0.42-0.0034X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00010X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e= 1.10-0.009X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.000029X\u0026sup2;, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e= 0.57-0.010X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00026X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003ek\u003c/sup\u003e=1.07-0.010X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00043X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003el\u003c/sup\u003e =2.07-0.02X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.001X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003em\u003c/sup\u003e=1.02-0.01X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.0004X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98; y\u003csup\u003en\u003c/sup\u003e=1.62-0.014X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00051X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe inclusion of liquid yeast in the lambs' diet altered crude protein intake based on metabolic weight, showing a linear decreasing effect (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). For the other nutrients, a quadratic effect was observed for the intake of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, neutral detergent fiber corrected for CP (NDFcp), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients (TDN), with maximum intake points ranging from 11.16\u0026ndash;18.00% replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDry matter and nutrient intake (expressed as metabolic weight) in finishing lambs in confinement fed diets containing levels of liquid yeast as a replacement for soybean meal (on a natural matter basis)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast levels (%) in the diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eQ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConsumption expressed in metabolic weight\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDry matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrganic matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrude protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcid detergent fiber \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal carbohydrates\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNon-fibrous carbohydrates\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ek\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal digestible nutrients\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003el\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003eStandard error of the mean \u0026ndash; SEM; Diet \u0026ndash; D; Linear \u0026ndash; L; Quadratic \u0026ndash; Q; \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); \u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Weiss (1998); y\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e=0.18-0.002X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00005X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98; y\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e=0.20-0.0014X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;00004X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e= 0.03- 0.002X, R\u0026sup2;=0.99; y\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e=0.07-0.001X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00002X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e=0.04-0.00035X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00001X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e=0.70-0.0007X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00003X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98; y\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e=0.13-0.0011X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00003X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99; y\u003csup\u003ek\u003c/sup\u003e=0.06-0.0005X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00002X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98; y\u003csup\u003el\u003c/sup\u003e=0.11-0.001X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00003X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.99.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReplacing soybean meal with liquid yeast resulted in a linear decrease (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) in the digestibility (g kg⁻\u0026sup1;) of dry matter and other nutrients. The digestibility of DM decreased from 925.67 g kg⁻\u0026sup1; in the control diet to 862.13 g kg⁻\u0026sup1; in the diet with 100% replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast. The digestibility of OM, CP, NDF, and total carbohydrates decreased by 8.86%, 12.11%, 17.23%, and 8.19%, respectively, with increasing levels of soybean meal replacement. The digestibility of NFC (g kg⁻\u0026sup1;) was significantly affected and followed a quadratic pattern (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), with a maximum point observed at 6.71% replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDigestibility coefficients of diets for finishing lambs in confinement containing levels of liquid yeast as a replacement for soybean meal (on a natural matter basis)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast levels (%) in the diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eQ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDigestibility (g/kg)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDry matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e889\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e862\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e849\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e819\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e803\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.99\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05c\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrganic matter\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e898\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e874\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e864\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e830\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e818\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05d\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrude protein\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e868\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e820\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e814\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e787\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e763\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeutral detergent fiber \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e860\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e817\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e797\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e782\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e711\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05f\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal carbohydrates \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e901\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e882\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e869\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e839\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e827\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05g\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.90\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNon-fibrous carbohydrates \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e970\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e963\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e940\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e914\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e952\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003eStandard error of the mean \u0026ndash; SEM; Diet \u0026ndash; D; Linear \u0026ndash; L; Quadratic \u0026ndash; Q; \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation by Van Soest et al. (1991), method using autoclave; \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e Calculation according to Sniffen et al. (1992); y\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e= 887.7-0.8X, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98; y\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e=897.7 -0.8X, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.97; y\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e=859.4 -0.9X, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.95; y\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e=860.3-1.32X, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.93; y\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e=901.8-0.8X, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.98; y\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e=977.4-1.3X\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.098X\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.64.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere was no significant effect on ruminal pH (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), with an average value of 6.31. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (N-NH₃) and urinary nitrogen showed significant quadratic effects (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). A significant linear increase (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) was observed for absorbed purines and microbial protein synthesis. Plasma urea concentration, nitrogen intake, fecal nitrogen, retained nitrogen, absorbed nitrogen, and nitrogen balance were significantly affected (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), exhibiting a linear decreasing trend (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean time spent on feeding, rumination, and idling activities by lambs fed diets with substitution of soybean meal by yeast during a 12-hour evaluation period.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast levels (%) in the diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eQ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMinutes/12 hours\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e171\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e195\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e187\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e178\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRuminating\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e93.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026Oacute;cio\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e355\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e393\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e383\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e359\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e352\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed efficiency DM\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed efficiency CP\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed efficiency NDF \u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRUM DM efficiency\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRUM NDF efficiency\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.91\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003eStandard error of the mean \u0026ndash; SEM; Diet \u0026ndash; D; Linear \u0026ndash; L; Quadratic \u0026ndash; Q; \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e Efici\u0026ecirc;ncia alimentar da mat\u0026eacute;ria seca; \u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003eEfici\u0026ecirc;ncia alimentar da prote\u0026iacute;na bruta; \u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003eEfici\u0026ecirc;ncia alimentar da fibra em detergente neutro; \u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e Rumination dry matter feed efficiency; \u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003eFeed efficiency of rumination of neutral detergent fiber; \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:\\text{y}\\text{f}=15.143467\\:-0.085279\\text{x},\\:\\text{R}2=0.9417\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e; y\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e =2.34913-0.013580x, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9732; y\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e=5.879600-0,034965x, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9291; y\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e=15.143467 -0.085279, x R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e= 0.9417; y\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e= 17.017552-0.244194 +\u0026thinsp;0.001636, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9677.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast in lamb diets did not affect (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) the time spent feeding, ruminating, or idling. However, the substitution levels influenced (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) the feeding efficiency of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber, as well as the rumination efficiency of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, all showing a linear decreasing pattern (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeans of ruminal pH and ammonia, blood urea, estimated microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen intake, fecal nitrogen, urinary nitrogen, absorbed nitrogen, and nitrogen balance in lamb diets with substitution of soybean meal by liquid yeast.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast levels (%) in the diet\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eQ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRuminal parameters\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN-NH\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlasma parameter, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUrea\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePurine derivatives\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbsorbed purines, mmol/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicrobial Protein, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eConsumption, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNitrogen ingested, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcretion, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFecal nitrogen, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUrinary nitrogen, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNitrogen balance, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeld\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbsorbed, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNitrogen balance, g/dia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003eStandard error of the mean \u0026ndash; SEM; Diet \u0026ndash; D; Linear \u0026ndash; L; Quadratic \u0026ndash; Q; y\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e= -0.0035x2\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.2699x\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;23.517x\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e R\u0026sup2; = 0.9780, maximum point 38.55%; y\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e=36.28850-0.100878x, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9499; y\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e= 4.081800\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.056388x R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.5284; y\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e=8.739800\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.120724x R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.5285;y\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e=71.995600-0.44554x R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9529; y\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e=3.13760-0.01321x R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.6329; y\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e=3.09802-0.04036x\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.00192x\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9484 maximum point 10.51%; yh\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;65.999200-0.411132x R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9584; y\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e= 68.85880-0.43236x R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9562; y\u003csup\u003ej\u003c/sup\u003e= 65.99920-0.411132x R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.9584\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e presents the results of the principal component analysis (PCA) applied to the dependent variables. The first principal component (PC1) explained 83.37% of the total data variation, while the second principal component (PC2) accounted for 7.19%. Together, these components explained 90.56% of the total variation. From Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, it is possible to identify the variables with the highest coefficients in each component, particularly those associated with PC1. Within PC1, the dependent variables with the highest coefficients were neutral detergent fiber intake (0.1630), crude protein intake (0.1626), organic matter intake (0.1625), and dry matter intake (0.1623). The variables with the highest eigenvectors within PC1 and PC2 included mineral matter intake, ash- and protein-corrected NDF intake, feeding time, and rumination time.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab8\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 8\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eJoint principal component analysis of the diets evaluated on the dependent variables\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePC\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEigenvalue\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVariance, %\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e83.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"3\"\u003ePC \u0026ndash; Principal component\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e illustrates the dissimilarity relationships among treatments, revealing the formation of two clusters. The 70% and 100% replacement treatments showed the lowest Euclidean distance between them. In the second cluster, notable dissimilarity was observed between the 25% and 50% replacement diets. The cluster analysis suggests that the dependent variables associated with the 70% and 100% yeast inclusion diets are similar, as are those for the 25% and 50% inclusion diets.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast resulted in a reduction in dry matter intake and the intake of other nutrients. This effect can be attributed to the physical properties of the yeast, such as its agglutination capacity, which may impair the animals\u0026rsquo; ability to selectively consume diet components. Furthermore, the tendency of the liquid yeast to settle at the bottom of the feed trough may have contributed to the reduced intake of crude protein (CP) and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), since the concentration of these fractions in the lower layer of the trough may have limited uniform access to the feed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe agglutination capacity of the yeast and its tendency to accumulate in the oral cavity, thereby hindering intake, was also reported by Campos et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, diets with 75% and 100% replacement of soybean meal by liquid yeast should be avoided, as they show similar intake patterns, as indicated by the cluster analysis. Based on the dry matter and nutrient intake behavior observed in confined lambs, these variables were highly relevant in the principal component analysis. Higher intakes of dry matter and crude protein were identified as desirable in the PCA. According to the animals' nutritional requirements for dry matter and crude protein, adequate intake was observed when up to 75% of the soybean meal was replaced by liquid yeast.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast has a characteristic alcoholic odor, and although it contains a low ether extract content (0.28%), it may impair intake due to the animals\u0026rsquo; sensitivity to organoleptic changes in the diet (Van Soest, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1994\u003c/span\u003e). Replacement levels of up to 75% with liquid yeast met the maintenance and production requirements recommended by the NRC (2001).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe observed reduction in the digestibility of dry matter and other nutrients can be attributed to the physical characteristics of the diet, particularly the small particle size derived from the hay. The presence of short particles, combined with the high NFC content, may have contributed to an increased passage rate of digesta through the gastrointestinal tract. This reduction in rumen retention time may have limited the activity of ruminal microorganisms and consequently impaired nutrient digestibility.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast increased the NFC concentrations in the diet. However, this replacement resulted in reduced CP intake, leading to a lack of synchronization in the NFC:CP ratio. As a result, a reduction in the digestibility of non-fibrous carbohydrates was observed, decreasing from 972.99 g/kg in the control diet to 914.49 g/kg in the diet with 100% soybean meal replacement by liquid yeast (NRC, 1985). Although the substitution affected nutrient intake and digestibility, it did not alter feeding and rumination times in the lambs. This result can be attributed to the maintained fiber supply in the diet, which, despite having lower physical effectiveness due to smaller particle size, was sufficient to stimulate the mechanoreceptors in the rumen wall that induce rumination (Mertens, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e). Rumination time ranged from 78 to 93 minutes/12 h, indicating that mechanical stimulation for rumination was preserved, even with a reduction in dietary fiber proportion.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, the fiber content of the diets remained above 30%, which is higher than the minimum recommended level to maintain rumen function and contributes to ruminal pH stability (NRC, 2001). The average ruminal pH was 6.31, a value considered adequate to maintain a healthy rumen environment and microbial activity (Van Soest, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1994\u003c/span\u003e). Thus, the chemical changes in the diet did not impair rumen function or ingestive behavior, due to the continuous presence of sufficient fiber to promote chewing, salivation, and ruminal buffering.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite the reduction in nitrogen intake, an increase in microbial protein production (g/day) was observed, which may be related to the solubility of the yeast. Liquid yeast contains a highly soluble nitrogen fraction, with solubility estimated at up to 75.97% (Machado, 2021), consisting of free amino acids, short-chain peptides, and non-protein nitrogen compounds (Ezequiel et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e; Freitas et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicrobial protein production showed a linear increase, reaching 23.7 g/day and 19.74 g/day at 75% and 100% soybean meal replacement, respectively. This indicates that the readily available nitrogen compounds were utilized by proteolytic bacteria for microbial protein synthesis. Additionally, the yeast presents thinner or disrupted cell walls, which facilitate microbial access to free amino acids and peptides, allowing for their rapid release in the rumen. These compounds are used as an energy source for microbial synthesis (Lima et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast, soybean meal protein is structurally more complex and degrades more slowly.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe replacement levels led to reduced N-NH₃ and plasma urea concentrations, indicating changes in ruminal nitrogen metabolism. Ammonia levels decreased from 28.72 mg/dL at 38.55% replacement to 14.51 mg/dL at 100% replacement. Similarly, plasma urea levels showed a linear reduction, from 36.40 to 25.88 mg/dL, suggesting reduced ruminal ammonia absorption and, consequently, reduced hepatic conversion to urea.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome ruminal bacteria, such as cellulolytic species, require synchronized nitrogen (as N-NH₃) and energy (carbon skeleton) release for effective protein synthesis and fiber degradation (Bach, 2005). The lack of synchronization between these nutrients may compromise their activity, reducing fiber digestibility efficiency, which could explain the lower NDF digestibility observed in this study (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite the lower nitrogen intake and reduced urinary and fecal nitrogen excretion, the values were sufficient to meet the lambs\u0026rsquo; maintenance requirements. In the present study, nitrogen balance values ranged from 25.68 to 66.47 g/day, demonstrating that even at the highest levels of soybean meal replacement by liquid yeast, the diets remained efficient in promoting nitrogen retention compatible with the animals' developmental stage.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe replacement of soybean meal with liquid yeast derived from the sugar-alcohol industry in lamb diets can be carried out up to 50%, based on dry matter intake and digestibility, ruminal parameters, and principal component analysis. Replacements above this level may lead to reduced performance in lambs.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeclaration of Interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflicts of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to thank the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and the Foundation for the Support of the Development of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT) for financial support and scholarships granted.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was carried out with the support of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel \u0026ndash; Brazil (CAPES) \u0026ndash; Funding Code 001.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors would also like to express their sincere gratitude to CAPES for the financial support granted through the doctoral scholarship [03/2022].\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dataset generated during the present study is not publicly available due to institutional restrictions and data confidentiality, but can be provided by the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e[AOAC] Assn. of Official Analytical Chemists (2000) Coffee and tea. In: Official methods of analysis. 17th ed. Gaithersburg, Md.: AOAC.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBach A, Calsamiglia S, Stern MD (2005). Nitrogen metabolism in the rumen. Journal of Dairy Science, 88 E. Suppl.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eB\u0026uuml;rger PJ et al. (2000) Comportamento ingestivo em bezerros holandeses alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes n\u0026iacute;veis de concentrado \u0026amp; quot; Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 29: 236-242.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCampos AF, Pereira OG, Ribeiro, KG, Santos SA, Valadares Filho SC (2014) Impact of replacing soybean meal in beef cattle diets with inactive dry yeast, a sugarcane by-product of ethanol distilleries and sugar mills. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 190:38 - 46.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChen XB, Gomes MJ (1992) Estimation of microbial protein supply to sheep and cattle based on urinary excretion of purine derivatives \u0026ndash; an overview of technical details. (Occasional publication) INTERNATIONAL FEED RESEARCH UNIT. Bucksburnd, Aberdeen:Rowett Research Institute. 21p.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetmann E et al. (2021) M\u0026eacute;todos para an\u0026aacute;lise de alimentos. 2. ed. Visconde do Rio Branco, MG: Suprema, 350 p.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEzequiel JMB, Sampaio AAM, Seixas JRC, Oliveira MM (2000) Balan\u0026ccedil;o de nitrog\u0026ecirc;nio e digest\u0026atilde;o total da prote\u0026iacute;na e da energia de ra\u0026ccedil;\u0026otilde;es contendo farelo de algod\u0026atilde;o, levedura de cana-de-a\u0026ccedil;\u0026uacute;car ou ur\u0026eacute;ia, em ovinos. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 29:2332-2337.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreitas KS, Piovesan MR, Goudinho GK, Boscolo WR, Signor A, Bittencourt F (2024) Palatabilidade de dietas contendo hidrolisados proteicos de frango com inclus\u0026atilde;o de amido, maltodextrina e levedura para alevinos de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). Observat\u0026oacute;rio de la econom\u0026iacute;a latinoamericana, 22:(10), e7349.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFujihara T, \u0026empty;rskov ER, Reeds PJ et al. (1987) The effect of protein infusion on urinary excretion of purine derivatives in ruminants nourished by intragastric nutrition. J. Agric. Sci., 109:7-12.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKulasek G (1972) A micromethod for determining urea in blood plasma, Whole blood and blood corpuscles with the use of urease and phenol reagent. Polskie Archiwum Weterynaryjne, 15:801-810.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLima, JR, Ribon, AOB, Russell, JB, Hil\u0026aacute;rio CM (2009) Bovicin HC5 inhibits wasteful amino acid degradation by mixed ruminal bacteria in vitro. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 292, p.78.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMertens DR (1997). Creating a system for meeting the fiber requirements of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci., 80:1463\u0026ndash; 1481.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNational Research Council \u0026ndash; NRC (1985) Nutrient requirements of sheep. 6.ed. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 99p.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNational Research Council \u0026ndash; NRC (2001) Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. 7.ed. Washington, D.C.: 381p.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRaun NS, Burroughs, W. (1962) Suction strainer technique in obtaining rumen fluid samples from intact lambs. Journal of Animal Science, 21:454-457.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRose AH, Harrison JN (1990) The Yeast. London: Academic Press. 1970. v.3. RUMSEY, G.L., HUGHES, S.G., KINSELLA, J.E. Use of dietary yeast (\u003cem\u003eSaccharomyces cerevisiae\u003c/em\u003e) nitrogen by lake trout. J. World Aquacult. Soc., 22:205.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSousa LB, Pereira MLA, Silva HGO, Silva LS, Santos EJ, Pereira TCJ, Correia GS, Sousa LB, Pereira CAR (2022). Creatinine and purine derivatives excretion and microbial synthesis in lambs fed rain tree pod meal. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterin\u0026aacute;ria e Zootecnia, 74:(1), 160-168.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSouza MG, Reis IA, Carvalho IPC, Porcionato MADF, Prados LF, Granja-Salcedo YT, Siqueira GR, Resende FD (2022) Effects of Post-Ruminal Urea Supplementation during the Seasonal Period on Performance and Rumen Microbiome of Rearing Grazing Nellore Cattle, Animals, 12:3463.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eValadares Filho SC, Lopes AS, Saraiva TD et al. (2023) CQBAL 4.0. Tabelas Brasileiras de Composi\u0026ccedil;\u0026atilde;o de Alimentos para Ruminantes. Dispon\u0026iacute;vel em: www.cqbal.com.br.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eValadares RFD, Broderick GA, Valadares Filho SC, Clayton MK (1999) Effect of replacing alfalfa silage with high moisture corn on ruminal protein synthesis estimated from excretion of total purine derivatives. J. Dairy Sci. 8:2686-2696.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVan Soest PJ (1994) Nutritional ecology of the ruminant. Cornell University Press.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVerbic J, Chen XB, Macleod NA et al. (1990) Excretion of purine derivatives by ruminants. Effect of microbial nucleic acid infusion on purine derivative excretion by steers. Journal Agricultural Science, 114:243-246.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":true,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Alternative protein, consumption, digestibility, nitrogen compounds, saccharomyces cerevisiae","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7104792/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7104792/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eLiquid yeast is a by-product of the sugar and alcohol industry with potential for use in ruminant diets. However, there are doubts as to how much should be included in the diet of lambs in the finishing phase. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast in the diet of lambs in confinement on consumption, nutrient digestibility, rumen and blood parameters, microbial protein synthesis and the animals' ingestive behavior. Five experimental diets with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement of soybean meal by liquid yeast in the dry matter were evaluated. Ten uncastrated male Santa In\u0026ecirc;s x Dorper crossbred lambs were used, with an average weight of 22.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5 kg and an average age of 4 months. The animals were randomly allocated to a double and simultaneous Latin square design (5\u0026times;5). The study lasted 105 days, with each experimental period lasting 21 days and an adaptation period of 15 days. The inclusion of liquid yeast in the lambs' diet changed their intake of dry matter and nutrients.The variables fitted a quadratic regression model, with maximum points observed for DM (14.02%), OM (15.78%), MM (10.00%), CP (16.50%), NDF (15.87%), FDA (11.73%), CpNDF (11.62%), total carbohydrates (14.28%), NFC (12.29%) and NDT (13.92%). Digestibility (g/kg) was significantly influenced (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) by the levels of DM, OM, CP, NDF and total carbohydrates, showing a linear behavior, while NFC showed a quadratic adjustment, with a maximum point at 6.71%. The parameters of purines absorbed and microbial proteins showed a significant increasing linear effect (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), while the parameters of plasma urea, nitrogen ingested, nitrogen in the feces, nitrogen retained, nitrogen absorbed and nitrogen balance showed a significant decreasing linear effect (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast from the sugar-alcohol industry in lamb diets can be done safely up to a level of 50%, based on dry matter intake, digestibility and rumen parameters.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Replacing soybean meal with liquid yeast in the diet of feedlot lambs: nutritional and metabolic traits","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-07-31 04:03:38","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7104792/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"84d93bd2-b38f-4591-a3c9-f986dad113c7","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 31st, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-12T17:07:01+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-07-31 04:03:38","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7104792","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7104792","identity":"rs-7104792","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}