Effect of sodium monensin on food intake and ruminal pH in sheep

Abstract

The main aim of the present research
work was the study of the effects of the ionophore
sodium monensin on feed voluntary intake and on the
pH of the ruminal liquid in sheep. Four Santa Inês non
pregnant, non lactating and rumen-cannulated lambs
were used within a Latin square experimental design
with four treatments: T1 - 0; T2 - 25; T3 - 50 and T4 - 75
mg monensin/animal/day. Feed, dry matter intake and
ruminal fluid pH were evaluated. Sampling of ruminal
fluid for pH determination was carried out at 0, 2, 4, 6
and 8 hours after feeding. According to the analysis of
variance no significant values were found for intake of
diet and dry matter, in regard to the levels of monensin.
No siginificant effect in the average values of ruminal
pH of each treatment and in the treatment x time
interaction were found, the pH values being considered
normal. There was a statistic difference in regard to the
values found along the day. The voluntary feed intake
and ruminal pH had not been influenced by the addition
of sodium monensin in the diet of the sheep, the pH values
remaining elevated, characterizing a good evironment of
ruminal fermentation.