Abstract
Twelve cannulated male growing bucks (goats) were used in a 56-day study to determine the effect of monensin on ruminal and blood characteristics on animals receiving 10 mg of monensin solution daily through the rumen cannula.
There was slight increase in body weights of treated animals. Monensin increased significantly (P<0.001) the level of blood glucose and decreased (P<0.001) the concentration of plasma lactic acid, urea and magnesium. Serum albumin, cholesterol, sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium were not affected after treatment.
In the rumen fluid, there was a significant decrease in rumen ammonia (P<0.001), the molar proportion of acetic acid (P<0.001) and acetate: propionate ratio (P<0.05). A significant increase (P<0.001) in the level of propionic acid was detected. Other volatile fatty acids and the pH of the rumen were not affected.