Effects of Zeolite Supplementation on Dairy Cow Production and Ruminal Parameters – A Review

Abstract

In recent years, the use of both natural and synthetic zeolites in livestock feeds fed to lactating cows has increased, mainly to improve their performance, health, and to protect against mycotoxins intoxication. Data of scientific literature were compiled to analyze the effects of the incorporation of non-nutritional adsorbent zeolite on production performance and ruminal environment parameters of lactating cows. At moderate levels (200–400 g/cow/day), milk yield was increased by zeolite. Milk fat and protein contents and DMI were not altered and all ruminal parameters were improved: acetate was enhanced, propionate was reduced and consequently, acetate to propionate ratio was increased. The rumen pH was increased and rumen ammonia nitrogen was reduced. When the level of zeolite exceeded 400 g/d/cow, all production and ruminal parameters were negatively altered. These data suggest that zeolite level in the diet has a significant effect on the response of dairy production and ruminal environment characteristics.

Effect of Toxin Binder on Productive Performance of Lactating Friesian Cows

“…Results of AST and albumin may be due to enhance the amino acids utilization for protein synthesis (Abdelmawla et al 1998). Data of Ca level were agree with the findings of (Marian et al 2018) when added 350g zeolite /cow/day, And Khachlouf et al (2018). On the other hand, data of blood plasma total protein, albumin and globulin values were not significantly different between treatments bentonite supplementation to the diet of growing lambs.…”

“…Milk composition might changeable due to increase osmosis pressure in mammary follicle which increases water flow from blood into mammary follicle with fatty acids, amino acids and glucose. Khachlouf et al (2018) found that milk yield was increased by zeolite additive, while milk fat and protein contents were not altered. Also, the findings of Abd El-Baki et al (2001) demonstrated that due to the supplementation of cow diets with tafla clay with CFM plus supplemented urea treated rice straw ration, milk yield and fat percentage yield were (P˂0.05) significantly higher.…”

“…Also, Patterson et al (1985) reported that ammonia concentration decrease in linear perspective with the increase in zeolite levels at 0, 100, 200 and 300g per day in the rumen of steers. On the other hand, some researchers disagree results (Moate et al 1985, Johnson, 1988 when add bentonite and zeolite, had supplements Recently, Khachlouf et al (2018) found that the rumen ammonia nitrogen was reduced with zeolite. Supplemented for rumenitant animals.…”

“…The same results with Marrero et al (1987) and Ivan et al (2001).were also outputted Nikkhah et al (2000) reported that zeolite has positive effect on pH rumen. Recently, Khachlouf et al (2018) found that the rumen pH was increased with zeolite. Supplemented for ruminant animals.…”

Zeolites Applications in Veterinary Medicine

“…In animal production, alternative products as zeolites are a solution to ensure health, productive performance (yield and quality of carcass, milk yield), to reduce the effects of mycotoxins on animal health status, to remove selectively pathogens from the animal gut without reducing microbial richness and finally to increase farm profitability. All of these effects has been extensively studied in the last decade [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] and are schematic represented in Figure 1.…”