Effect of dietary monensin inclusion on performance, nutrient utilisation, rumen volatile fatty acid concentration and blood status of West African dwarf bucks fed with basal diets of forages.
This experiment investigated the effect of dietary monensin on performance, nutrient utilisation, rumen volatile fatty acid and blood status in West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed with basal diets of forages. Four concentrate supplements were formulated to include 0 (MO), 15 (M15), 30 (M30) and 45 (M45) mg monensin/kg dry matter. Twenty-four WAD bucks (7.3 ± 1.20 kg initial body weight, aged 9-12 months) were randomly allotted to four experimental diets in a completely randomised design for 90 days, six animals per diet. Results indicated that animals fed M15, M30 and M45 diets had lower (P < 0.01) dry matter and water intake than those fed M0 diet. Crude protein and neutral detergent fibre intakes by the bucks followed similar trend. Animals on M15, M30 and M45 had better (P < 0.001) feed and protein efficiency ratio than those fed M0 diet. Rumen pH and total volatile fatty acid concentration were maintained (P > 0.05) while monensin decreased (P < 0.001) acetate/propionate ratio. Blood glucose increased (P < 0.001) from 59.1 mg/dl in animals on M0 diet to 67.8, 66.0 and 66.3 mg/dl in animals on M15, M30 and M45 diets. Overall, there were no variations among animals on M15, M30 and M45 diets. It is concluded that feeding monensin at 15 to 45 mg/kg DM of supplemental concentrate diets to West African dwarf bucks could be effective in improving feed and protein efficiency, manipulating the rumen for increased propionate production and increasing blood glucose levels.
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, University of Agriculture, P M B 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. aderinbry@yahoo.com
Ronke Yemisi
RY
Aderinboye
Chryss Friday Ijeoma
CF
Onwuka
Oluwasanmi Moses
OM
Arigbede
Oluseyi Olutosin
OO
Oduguwa
Ayobami Bukola Joseph
AB
Aina
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004063:Digestion; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006041:Goats / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008985:Monensin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009549:Nigeria; D011897:Random Allocation; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D008985:Monensin