Browsing by Author "Rakesh Sheel"

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Ionophoric Additives to Augment Performance Outcomes and Economics in Ruminants
(Springer Singapore, 2024) Sonali Prusty; M.S. Mahesh; Rakesh Sheel; Partha Sarathi Swain; A.P. Madhusoodan; Neeraj Thakur; G.E. Chethan
Ionophores are a group of carboxylic polyether antibiotics used as ‘medicated feed additives’ for ruminants. These include monensin, salinomycin, lasalocid, narasin, maduramicin, semduramicin and laidlomycin propionate. Monensin acts by inhibiting gram-positive bacteria—including protozoa and fungi—result-ing in increased propionate production, decreased acetate and reduced methanogenesis. In addition, feed protein deamination is lowered, making it available for post-ruminal digestion and utilisation. These effects of monensin translate into a remarkable improvement in body weight gain in growing cattle and milk yield response in lactating cows. Thus, the augmented feed efficiency noted with ionophores directly benefits farm economics. Besides, monensin attenuates some of the digestive disorders (bloat, acidosis, etc.) apart from enhancing energy status of cows in fresh lactation, leading to a lower risk for ketosis and displaced abomasum. This chapter presents a holistic overview of the modes of action, multifaceted benefits, economic returns, along with safety aspects of ionophore supplementation for a sustainable ruminant production. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.