title: Feeding sorbitol alone or in combination with monensin to finishing cattle.
abstract: Three trials were conducted with finishing steers to study the effect of feeding sorbitol alone or combined with monensin. For each trial 15 pens of eight steers were fed high-corn-silage diets. In the first two trials three pens of eight steers each were fed no additive, 35 g of sorbitol, 350 mg of monensin, or 30 g of sorbitol plus 350 mg of monensin per day. In Trial 1 three pens were fed 200 g of sorbitol per animal every 6 d, and in Trial 2 three pens were fed 60 g/d of sorbitol plus 350 mg/d of monensin. For the third trial, three pens were fed 0, 20, 40, or 80 g/d of sorbitol per animal and three pens were fed 40 g/d after 56 d; all the steers were fed 350 mg/d of monensin. In the first trial sorbitol had no effect on daily gain, and monensin increased (P < .05) daily gain. Intake of DM was lower (P < .05) for the steers fed sorbitol (35 g/d). Dry matter intake/gain was improved by feeding monensin (P < .05) or 35 g/d of sorbitol (P < .07). The improvement amounted to 18% when the additives were used in combination. In the second trial daily gains were similar for the cattle fed all diets. Dry matter intake was lower (P < .05) for steers fed monensin or 60 g/d of sorbitol and tended to be lower (P < .12) for the cattle fed 35 g/d of sorbitol. Dry matter intake/gain tended to be lower for cattle fed monensin and sorbitol, especially when fed in combination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors: Department of Animal Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Fontenot
authors: H M
authors: HM
authors: Huchette
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004063:Digestion; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005527:Food, Fortified; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards; D008985:Monensin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D014280:Triglycerides; D013012:Sorbitol; D008985:Monensin; D002784:Cholesterol