Effect of dietary monensin inclusion on performance, nutrient utilisation, rumen volatile fatty acid concentration and blood status of West African dwarf bucks fed with basal diets of forages

Abstract

This experiment investigated the effect of dietary monensin on performance, nutrient utilisation, rumen volatile fatty acid and blood status in West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed with basal diets of forages. Four concentrate supplements were formulated to include 0 (MO), 15 (M15), 30 (M30) and 45 (M45) mg monensin/kg dry matter. Twenty-four WAD bucks (7.3 ± 1.20 kg initial body weight, aged 9-12 months) were randomly allotted to four experimental diets in a completely randomised design for 90 days, six animals per diet. Results indicated that animals fed M15, M30 and M45 diets had lower (P < 0.01) dry matter and water intake than those fed M0 diet. Crude protein and neutral detergent fibre intakes by the bucks followed similar trend. Animals on M15, M30 and M45 had better (P < 0.001) feed and protein efficiency ratio than those fed M0 diet. Rumen pH and total volatile fatty acid concentration were maintained (P > 0.05) while monensin decreased (P < 0.001) acetate/propionate ratio. Blood glucose increased (P < 0.001) from 59.1 mg/dl in animals on M0 diet to 67.8, 66.0 and 66.3 mg/dl in animals on M15, M30 and M45 diets. Overall, there were no variations among animals on M15, M30 and M45 diets. It is concluded that feeding monensin at 15 to 45 mg/kg DM of supplemental concentrate diets to West African dwarf bucks could be effective in improving feed and protein efficiency, manipulating the rumen for increased propionate production and increasing blood glucose levels.

Efeito Da Monensina Sódica Sobre O Perfil Metabólico De Ovelhas Antes E Após O Parto

“…Estudos com bovinos, cabras de leite e ovinos consistentemente demonstraram elevação na concentração do propionato, mas nem sempre ocorreu diminuição nas concentrações de acetato e butirato (15)(16)(17) . Em contraste com os achados deste trabalho, Sauer et al (18) , Mousa (19) e Aderinboye et al (20) encontraram, além da elevação de propionato, uma redução nas concentrações de acetato e butirato, sob ação da monensina.…”

“…Mousa (19) e Aderinboye et al (20) também não observaram variação no pH ruminal de caprinos suplementados com monensina. A estabilidade do pH ruminal pode ser atribuída à pouca variação na concentração dos AGV nos animais deste experimento.…”

“…Pregnant ewes (n=13) were randomly divided into two groups: monensin group (n = 7; 30 mg/day) and control group (n = 6). Blood and ruminal fluid samples were collected 60, 50,40,30,20 and 10 days prior to parturition, at the time of parturition and on 10, 20 and 30 days postpartum. The following variables were analyzed: glucose, fructosamine, non-esterfied fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, urea and ketone bodies in the urine.…”

Effects of dietary brown propolis on nutrient intake and digestibility in feedlot lambs

“…Ítavo et al (2011a) found that lambs receiving 15 mL of green propolis daily had higher feed intake than those receiving monensin. The lower intake observed for the animals fed monensin may be related to a possible reduction in rumen motility (Deswysen et al, 1987), improvement in feed efficiency (Salles et al, 2008), or higher levels of propionate production (Aderinboye et al, 2012). The high flavonoid content in propolis extract, which displays bactericidal activity in the ruminal microorganisms (Aguiar et al, 2013), was the possible cause of the intermediate feed intake for this treatment.…”

Effect of monensin withdrawal on rumen fermentation, methanogenesis and microbial populations in cattle

“…Supplementation with monensin increased propionate and decreased acetate production by 35% in a continuous culture (Kone et al 1989). Monensin is also reported to alter other ruminant parameters such as pH, total short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration and the acetate : propionate ratio (Aderinboye et al 2012). Monensin is also reported to alter other ruminant parameters such as pH, total short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration and the acetate : propionate ratio (Aderinboye et al 2012).…”