Influence of monensin on intake of some anti-nutritive components in diets fed to West African dwarf (WAD) goats

Abstract

Sixteen (16) West African dwarf goats weighing an average of 73 kg +1.2 were used in a completely randomized experimental design to determine the influence of feeding monensin on intake of some anti-nutritive components contained in the diet. Results showed that animals placed on monensin supplemented diets at levels of 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg DM had significantly (P<0.05) reduced intakes of tannin, oxalate, saponin and nitrate compared to those placed on the control diet (0 mg monensin/ kg DM). No significant difference (P>0.05) occurred amongst the monensin-supplemented groups. Fecal concentrations of tannin, oxalate, saponin and nitrate were similarly observed to reduced (P<0.05) with monensin inclusion. However, the percentage disappearance of each of the anti nutritive components was not altered (P>0.05). Reductions in total dry matter intake were observed in response to monensin supplementation at 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg DM relative to the control but dry matter digestibility and weight gain in animals were not altered. The reductions in the intake of dry matter with monensin feeding were assumed to have consequently caused the reductions in the intake of anti-nutritive components from the diet. This reduction caused by monensin would be of benefit, in a bid to lessen some of the nutritional problems usually encountered when animals consume large quantities of these components in the diet. Monensin inclusion at levels between 15 and 45mg/kg DM could therefore be recommended to alleviate toxicity problems commonly associated with intake of anti-nutritive substances in feed.