laidlomycin and Acidosis

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of laidlomycin propionate (LP) to reduce the incidence and severity of ruminal acidosis in cattle fed high-grain finishing diets. In each trial, LP was fed at 0, 6, or 12 mg/kg of diet DM. In two acidosis-challenge trials, ruminally fistulated steers were fed (DM basis) a 50% concentrate diet and then fed a 95% concentrate diet at a specific intake (2.75% BW) or steers were dosed intraruminally with a 100% concentrate diet. Laidlomycin propionate did not alter ruminal pH or total acid concentrations, but in Trial 1 the 6 mg/kg level altered (P < .10) the molar proportions of the acids, increasing total ruminal VFA and decreasing ruminal lactate. In Trial 3, a finishing trial, LP reduced (P < .10) intake day-to-day variation of individually fed steers during a 13-d adaptation period from a 65 to a 100% concentrate diet, suggesting reduced incidence of subacute acidosis. Feed intake was lower (P < .05) during the first 13 d of the trial due to LP but was not affected over the entire trial. Laidlomycin propionate improved feed efficiency (gain/feed) when calculated on a live weight basis (linear, P = .05) or carcass weight basis (linear, P = .20). Laidlomycin propionate does not prevent ruminal acidosis, but it may reduce the severity of ruminal acidosis during adaptation to a 100% concentrate diet.

Topics: Acidosis; Animal Feed; Animals; Body Composition; Body Weight; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Diet; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ionophores; Male; Monensin; Rumen; Severity of Illness Index