Efecto del ozono como potencializador del crecimiento en terneras Holstein mestizas de 4 meses en la estación experimental Tunshi de la ESPOCH.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of ozone as a growth promoter in 4-month-old crossbred Holstein heifers at the Tunshi Experimental Station of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. A field methodology with a qualitative-quantitative approach was used for data collection, processing and analysis. The sample of individuals involved in the study corresponded to 12 calves divided into groups by pens. A completely randomized block experimental design was applied. Two experimental treatments with autovaccines were used, the first with 5 ml of blood (T1), the second with 10 ml of blood (T2), and an addition of 25 mg of ozone, and the third control treatment (T0), without any intervention, which allowed the comparison of results. The initial weights in T0, T1 and T2 were 197.25, 196.50 and 198.00 kg, respectively, and a weight gain was obtained at the end of the investigation of 22.40 kg in the control treatment, 30.00 kg in the T1 treatment and 36.25 kg in the T2 treatment. The most adequate feed conversion was that of treatment T2, also, the best body condition with a value of 3 points was achieved in this treatment. The cost/benefit evaluation is $1.31, that is, for each dollar of investment, a profit of $0.31 would be generated. It is concluded that the application of ozone as a potentiator in the growth and weight gain of cattle had better results in proportions of 10 ml of blood with 25 mg of ozone, also improving the appearance of the animals' coat. The use of ozone at the levels studied in this work is recommended in all individuals of the cattle herd in order to increase productivity.