Low doses of monensin for lambs fed diets containing high level of ground flint corn

Author(s)

Daniel Montanher Polizel ^[1] ; André Storti Martins ^[2] ; Alexandre Arantes Miszura ^[3] ; Marcos Vinícius de Castro Ferraz Júnior ^[4] ; Analisa Vasques Bertoloni ^[5] ; Gabriela Bagio Oliveira ^[6] ; José Paulo Roman Barroso ^[7] ; Evandro Maia Ferreira ^[8] ; Alexandre Vaz Pires ^[9]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. ESALQ. Depto. de Zootecnia - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo. FMVZ. Depto. de Nutrição e Produção Animal - Brasil

^[3] Universidade de São Paulo. FMVZ. Depto. de Nutrição e Produção Animal - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Depto. de Zootecnia - Brasil

^[5] Universidade de São Paulo. FMVZ. Depto. de Nutrição e Produção Animal - Brasil

^[6] Universidade de São Paulo. FMVZ. Depto. de Nutrição e Produção Animal - Brasil

^[7] Universidade de São Paulo. FMVZ. Depto. de Nutrição e Produção Animal - Brasil

^[8] Universidade de São Paulo. ESALQ. Depto. de Zootecnia - Brasil

^[9] Universidade de São Paulo. ESALQ. Depto. de Zootecnia - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Scientia Agricola; v. 78, n. 4 2020-07-08.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Two experiments were proposed to evaluate the addition of monensin for lambs fed diets containing a high level of mature ground flint corn. The experimental diets were as follows: no inclusion of monensin (M0) and inclusion of 8 (M8), 16 (M16) and 24 mg kg–1 of monensin (M24). In experiment 1, eight cannulated wethers were divided into a double 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design to evaluate nutrient digestibility, plasma parameters and rumen fermentation. The experiment lasted 112 days, divided into four periods of 28 days each. In experiment 2, ninety-two lambs were used in a randomized block design to evaluate the performance over 56 days. In experiment 1, doses of monensin had no effect on nutrient intake (p ≥ 0.07) and digestibility (p ≥ 0.09). There was a quadratic effect for acetate molar proportion (p = 0.01), acetate to propionate ratio (p = 0.04) and rumen pH (p < 0.01). However, there was no effect on the molar proportion of propionate and butyrate. The monensin decreased linearly the total SCFA concentration (p < 0.01). The inclusion of monensin increased glucose (p < 0.01) and decreased lactate concentration in plasma (p = 0.05). In experiment 2, monensin decreased dry matter intake (p = 0.04). However, there was a quadratic effect for average daily gain (p = 0.03) and feed efficiency (p < 0.01), with the greatest values observed for the M8 diet. Thus, the inclusion of 8 mg kg–1 of dry matter diet (DM) improves ruminal fermentation and plasma parameters, resulting in greater growth performance in lambs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/07749-0 - HIGH-CONCENTRATE DIETS FOR LAMBS: STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE NUTRIENT ABSORPTION AND ANIMAL PERFORMANCE
• Grantee: Evandro Maia Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants