Malformações congênitas em bezerros decorrentes do consumo do bagaço de maçã na alimentação de vacas prenhes na região sul do país: Revisão de literatura

Abstract

Apple pomace is widely used in cattle feed in most of the southern region of Brazil, and is composed of peels, stalks, leaves, seeds and pulp, with components such as fiber, sugars, low levels of lipids, proteins, vitamins and minerals. This product has been linked to congenital malformations in calves, resulting from the ingestion of pomace by the pregnant mother, although there is no evidence that this relationship actually exists. However, after several studies, it was found that it is not the apple pomace itself that causes the malformation, but rather the components present in this pomace, which may be pesticides used in apple production and cultivation that can cause mutagenicity, as well as mycotoxins that also cause mutagenicity. Another possible cause is manganese deficiency, due to excessive ingestion of apples, which have low levels of manganese in their pulp. The malformations caused by this are chondrodysplasia and dwarfism, and these diseases are recognized as diseases that hinder the growth and development of the animal, due to the conditions in which the animal is born, such as short, curved, rigid bones, and coarse joints. It is also possible to find malformations in organs, thus preventing their proper functioning. Thus, the objective of this work is to compile data from the literature, addressing the main causes of congenital malformations in calves from pregnant cows fed apple pomace in the southern region of the country.