The body composition and macrominerals requirements for weight gain of four Zebu breeds (Gyr, Guzera, Mocho-Tabapuã and Nellore) were estimated using 63 bulls averaging 24 months of age and 366 kg initial LW. Sixteen animals from Gir, Guzera e Mocho-Tabapuã breeds and 15 from Nellore breed. Fifteen animals, four animals from Gyr, Guzera and Mocho-Tabapuã breeds and three from Nellore breed, were slaughtered at the beginning of the trial. The remaining animals were distributed into three groups, containing three animals from each breed, which were individually fed a diet containing 50% concentrate as dry matter base, to reach the target live weight of 405, 450 and 500 kg, respectively. Regression of the log the of body composition of macrominerals, on the log of empty body weight (EBW), was fitted to estimate the total body composition of those constituents for any EBW inside the range included in this research (250 to 450 kg). By derivation of those regression, the composition of gain was rejusted. The animals from the four breeds did not differ regarding to body composition of macroelements minerals, as for the net requirements for weight gain. There were decreases in the concentration of the five macrominerals in the EBW and in the weight gain, as the EBW increased. The estimated net requirements for EBW gain, for the five macrominerals were lower as compared to the fixed values suggested by ARC (1980). The estimated Ca and P net requirements for weight gain of a 400 kg LW bulls were 16 and 24% lower, respectively, to the proposed by the AFRC (1991).
macrominerals; requirements; Zebu breeds
