Both monensin and plant extract alter ruminal fermentation in sheep but only monensin affects the expression of genes involved in acid-base transport of the ruminal epithelium

• Published in: Animal feed science and technology 2016-09, Vol.219, p.132-143
• Main Authors: Mirzaei-Alamouti, Hamidreza, Moradi, Saeedeh, Shahalizadeh, Zahra, Razavian, Maryam, Amanlou, Hamid, Harkinezhad, Taher, Jafari-Anarkooli, Iraj, Deiner, Carolin, Aschenbach, Jörg R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Essential oil; Gene expression; Growth performance; Monensin; Rumen fermentation; Sheep
• ISSN: 0377-8401; 1873-2216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2016.06.009

•Monensin and a commercial plant extract increase ruminal propionate production.•Only monensin affects the ruminal expression of acid-base transporters.•Periodical monensin feeding is not recommendable.•Plant extracts appear to be attractive alternatives to antibiotic growth promotors. The effects of a plant extract (broadleaf plantain, peppermint) or monensin on dry matter intake (DMI), growth performance, ruminal fermentation products, as well as morphology and the expression of genes involved in acid-base regulation of the ruminal epithelium were determined. Thirty two male Afshari finishing lambs on a high-concentrate diet were subjected to four consecutive 14-d periods on one of four treatments with supplementation of (1) no additive (control, CON), (2) 2g blend of plant extract/(d×lamb) (PE), or (3) 30mg monensin/(d×lamb) (MON) over all four treatment periods. The fourth group received periodical inclusion of 30mg monensin/(d×lamb) in periods 1 and 3 with no additive in periods 2 and 4 (MON-p). Despite no significant overall effects on DMI, ruminal pH, average daily gain (ADG), ADG:DMI ratio and plasma albumin, the interactions of treatment×period were significant for these measures (P