Abstract

NETO, G.B. et al. Volatile fatty acids in cattle supplemented with protein-enriched salt and sodium monensin. S. Afr. j. anim. sci. [online]. 2009, vol.39, n.5, pp.284-288. ISSN 2221-4062.

The effects of sodium monensin and protein supplements on volatile fatty acid production were studied in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design, using four female bovines equipped with rumen fistulae and fed Brachiaria brizantha Marandu cultivar hay. The treatments were organized in a 2 X 2 factorial array (with or without 160 mg of sodium monensin/animal/day and with or without protein supplements). Protein supplementation increased the concentration of acetic acid and sodium monensin reduced the concentrations of acetic and butyric acids and the acetic : proprionic ratio, both with and without protein supplements, except for the material collected at 8 h. Sodium monensin reduced the total concentration of fatty acids only in the material collected at 0 h, while protein supplementation increased the concentration of fatty acids at 4, 6 and 8 h. Used together, they increased the molar concentration of propionate in the rumen fluid, without decreasing the total concentration of fatty acids.

Keywords : Marandu grass; ionophore.

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