Nutritive Value and Degradation Kinetic Parameters of Three Plants for Feeding Bradypus variegatus Schinz, In Vitro Evaluation

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritive value of three feeds (Cecropia sp., Pterodon sp., and Inga sp.) for sloths (Bradypus variegatus), based on nutritional composition and in vitro gas production. After a 14-day adaptation period to these feeds, approximately 500 g of gastric contents were collected from three female sloths, processed, and incubated with the food samples to evaluate digestibility and in vitro degradation kinetics. Regarding the nutritional composition, the neutral detergent fiber (NDFcp) content was higher with 404 g kg−1 DM (p = 0.001) in the leaves of Cecropia sp. The non-fibrous carbohydrate contents were greater with 499 g kg−1 DM in Pterodon sp. (p = 0.002). The greatest cellulose content (211 g kg−1 DM) was found in the leaves of C. pachystachya, as well as the lowest value of 143 g kg−1 DM for hemicellulose. Significant differences in the in vitro digestibility of crude protein (p = 0.041) were observed, with Inga sp. showing the highest value at 547 g kg−1 DM. In terms of kinetic parameters, Pterodon sp. exhibited higher total gas production (Vt) at 99 mL (p = 0.023) and digestion rates of fibrous carbohydrates (kdFC) at 0.0223%/h (p = 0.020) (p < 0.05). The leaves of Pterodon sp. and Inga sp. showed potential as suitable feeds for B. variegatus, while Cecropia sp. may have negative effects on dry matter intake due to its high NDF content, because of possible repletion effects on the stomach.