Análise exploratória das características macroscópicas placentárias e do peso ao nascimento de cordeiros Dorper x Santa Inês sob suplementação com capsaicina

Abstract

This study aimed to describe and analyze, in an exploratory manner, macroscopic characteristics of placentas from Dorper × Santa Inês crossbred ewes supplemented with different levels of capsaicin, as well as to investigate the relationship of these characteristics with the birth weight of lambs. Eleven placentas were evaluated, distributed among control treatments and treatments supplemented with 150, 300, and 600 mg of capsaicin per animal per day. Samples were collected, cleaned, weighed, and photographed, and subsequently analyzed using ImageJ software to determine the total area, perimeter, and number of cotyledons. Placental efficiency was estimated by the ratio between the lamb’s birth weight and the placenta’s weight. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation, characterizing an exploratory approach due to the small sample size. No differences were observed between treatments for the variables evaluated. Placental efficiency had a very high standard deviation. A positive correlation was found between placental circumference and the number of cotyledons, suggesting an association between placental surface expansion and the quantity of these structures. The other variables did not show a relationship with birth weight. Thus, capsaicin supplementation, under the conditions of this study, did not promote changes in the macroscopic characteristics of the placenta or in the weight of the lambs. However, due to the exploratory nature and the small sample size, the results should be considered preliminary, indicating the need for further studies.