Utility of Ionophores for Ruminant Animals: A Review

Abstract

Ionophores are feed additives that alter rumen microbial populations through ion transfer across cell membranes. Although ionophores have been used widely in the ruminant's nutrition for improved feed efficiency and control of coccidiosis. Ionophores have been studied regarding several potential effects on ruminant animals, including influences on health, meat production, milk production and reproduction. This review will provide practitioners with relevant references in the published literature regarding ionophore use in ruminants' nutrition. It should also give some guidance as to what effects might be anticipated with the use of ionophores in ruminant animals.

Effects of Ionophores on Ruminal Function of Beef Cattle

“…In general, ionophores-sensitive bacteria are predominantly Grampositive and produce acetic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, and methane. In turn, ionophore-insensitive bacteria are Gram-negative bacteria that favor the production of succinate and propionate acids (Table 2) [9,28]. Despite a growing concern about Gram-positive bacteria becoming adapted and developing insensitivity to ionophores, there is limited evidence supporting this theory, which warrants further investigation [23,29].…”

“…Dietary ionophores are widely used in the beef and dairy industry as a rumen modifier and coccidiostat. Several meta-analyses are available on the effects of ionophores on beef [1,2,5,10,14,15,28] and dairy cattle performance [30]. In a meta-analyses conducted by Duffield et al [2], monensin consistently decreased dry matter intake (DMI) by 3.1% and increased average daily gain (ADG) by 2.5% in feedlot cattle.…”

“…It is well known that the inclusion of ionophores in the diet increases the feed efficiency and performance of ruminants [2,29,30] by modulating the rumen microbiome and fermentation routes and increasing energy and nitrogen efficiency metabolism [5,28]. Although ionophores available in the market have a similar mode of action in the rumen, animal performance and ruminal function may vary depending on dosage, animal, and diet [1,2,10,14].…”

“…Although ionophores available in the market have a similar mode of action in the rumen, animal performance and ruminal function may vary depending on dosage, animal, and diet [1,2,10,14]. For example, in diets containing a high concentration of readily fermentable carbohydrates (i.e., feedlot diets), ionophores generally influence feed efficiency by improving or maintaining body weight gain and reducing feed intake [1,2,5,28]. Similarly, ionophore inclusion in forage-based diets increases cattle body weight gain and feed efficiency, but with similar or increased feed intake [1,31,[33][34][35].…”

Crude glycerin combined with food additives in feeding beef cattle

“…In addition to the opportunity of byproduct utilization, the use of growth promoters (ionophores) in ruminant diets has been used to maximize energy efficiency and utilization of dietary nutrients with even more favorable economic results. Sodium monensin is an ionophore antibiotic widely used and well documented in ruminant feeding mainly to minimize metabolic disorders and improve energy efficiency of diets (Azzaz et al, 2015).…”