European field evaluation of monensin, a new anticoccidial agent

Abstract

The efficacy of monensin, a fermentation product of Streptomyces cinnamonensis was evaluated and compared with four commonly used anticoccidial agents in the control of naturally occurring coccidial infection of broiler chickens. Results are reported from 25 floor pen trials, involving 90,678 birds allotted to 289 replicates, at 11 locations in England, France, Holland and Spain. Untreated control groups of birds were included where possible to measure the degree of exposure to infection. Parameters measured were mortality from coccidiosis, final live body weight, feed conversion efficiency and the incidence of coccidial lesions scored at two periods of time during each trial. Results were analysed using a computer programme which permitted the pooling of data from several trials which provided adjusted treatment means and analyses of variance of treatment differences. Analysis of data from all trials showed that in comparison to untreated controls the inclusion of 0.012% monensin in the feed gave statistically significant improvements in final body weight, feed conversion efficiency and control of coccidial lesions. The other anticoccidial agents tested showed similar improvements in body weight but smaller differences in feed efficiency and reduction of lesions.

Protection Provided by Sodium Selenite Against an Oral Toxic Dose of Monensin in Broiler Chicks

“…It is a large molecule with a high molecular weight (Weiss and MacDonald 1985) that produces biological effects by transporting charged ions across biological membranes (Langstom et al 1985). It is widely used in the livestock industry, functioning as a growth promotant in cattle and swine (Raun et al 1976) and as an anticoccidial agent in poultry (Clarke et al 1974;Hanrahan et al 1981).…”