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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #175598
Title: EFFECT OF A MONENSIN CONTROLLED-RELEASE CAPSULE ON RUMEN AND BLOOD METABOLITES IN FLORIDA HOLSTEIN TRANSITION COWS

Author
item MELENDEZ, P - UNIV FL, GAINESVILLE
item Goff, Jesse
item RISCO, C - UNIV FL, GAINESVILLE
item ARCHBALD, L - UNIV FL, GAINESVILLE
item LITTELL, R - UNIV FL, GAINESVILLE
item DONOVAN, G - UNIV FL, GAINESVILLE

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/2004
Publication Date: 12/1/2004
Citation: Melendez, P., Goff, J.P., Risco, C.A., Archbald, L.F., Littell, R., Donovan, G.A. 2004. Effect of a monensin controlled-release capsule on rumen and blood metabolites in Florida Holstein transition cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 87(12):4182-4189.

Interpretive Summary: Monensin is an ionophore, which improves the efficiency of fermentation of carbohydrates within the rumen of cattle and other ruminants. It causes increased production of propionic acid, the only major volatile fatty acid produced from dietary carbohydrate fed to the cow that can be utilized to produce the blood sugar glucose. At the initiation of lactation which coincides with the time of calving, most dairy cattle are in a state of negative energy balance as feed intake is insufficient to meet energy demands of milk production. Blood sugar falls and cows can develop ketosis from excessive utilization of body fat. Monensin was given to cows prior to calving to see if the energy balance could be improved in the cows. Monensin significantly improved body condition of the cows and reduced the amount of body fat mobilized for milk production in early lactation in the cows, especially in the heifers having their first calf. Information obtained from this study will benefit the dairy industry worldwide.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a monensin controlled-release capsule administered intraruminally at dry-off on rumen volatile fatty acids, NH(3), lactate, pH, and energy blood metabolites in transition dairy cows fed Florida typical diets. In March 2003, 24 cows (10 primiparous and 14 multiparous) dried-off 50 to 70 d before expected parturition were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 12, oral capsule of monensin) or a control group (n = 12, no capsule). Both groups received the same diet and were exposed to the same environment and management conditions. At assignment, at 21 d before expected parturition, at calving, and at 7, 14, and 21 d postpartum, blood samples were taken and body condition scores were determined. At 10 d postpartum, rumen and blood samples were obtained in the morning before the first feeding and at 2, 4, and 6 h after feeding. Serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and glucose were measured. Rumen samples were analyzed for concentrations of acetic, propionic, butyric, l- and d-lactic acids, and NH(3). Data for rumen and blood metabolites were analyzed by ANOVA, mixed models for repeated measures. Volatile fatty acids were not different between groups. Multiparous treated cows had a significant reduction in rumen NH(3) at 6 h after feeding. Treatment with monensin significantly increased body condition score at calving in multiparous cows. During the postpartum period, NEFA and BHBA were noticeably lower in treated than in control primiparous cows. This difference was not observed in multiparous cows.