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.