The effect of monensin on rumen fermentation and production characteristics in growing lambs
1990
Baran, M. | Jalc, D. (Slovenska Akademia Vied, Kosice (CSFR). Ustav Fyziologie Hospodarskych Zvierat) | Kalacnjuk, G.I.
In a trial conducted with growing lambs (four groups of six animals each) the effects of monensin were investigated on rumen fermentation and weight gains: the lambs were on bulk and concentrate diet. They were fed in the period of 112 days the diet containing 60 per cent hay and 40 per cent concentrates (barley, VJ fattening mixture), and a supplement of 40 mg monensin or no supplement (groups 1 and 2); the other variant was the diet containing 40 per cent hay and 60 per cent concentrates, a supplement of 40 mg monensin or no supplement (groups 3 and 4). The nutrient digestibility was not significantly influenced by the monensin supplement. In the lambs on monensin diet, nitrogen balance was weakened, in group 4 the decrease was statistically significant (P0.05). Monensin supplements reduced the molar percentage of acetate, mainly in the animals on bulk diet (groups 1 and 2), acetate: propionate ratio and total contents of volatile fatty acids. The molar percentage of propionate increased in the lambs both on bulk and concentrate diet. Monensin exerted positive effects on the conversion of hexose energy into the energy of the production of volatile fatty acids in rumen (P0.05) - 72.26 per cent, and 73.43 per cent (P0.05) in the animals on bulk diet, and 73.32 per cent, or 74.77 per cent (P 0.05) in the animals on concentrate diet; monensin decreased directly proportionally the hexose energy yield with respect to methane production (18.23 per cent, or 17.07 per cent, and 17.27 per cent, or 15.75 per cent). The lambs in the groups with monensin diet had the higher total weight gains if expressed in absolute values, average daily weight gains, the ratio of feed intake to weight gain was also better, but these differences were statistically insignificant.
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