<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>In recent years, the use of both natural and synthetic zeolites in livestock feeds fed to lactating cows has increased, mainly to improve their performance, health, and to protect against mycotoxins intoxication. Data of scientific literature were compiled to analyze the effects of the incorporation of non-nutritional adsorbent zeolite on production performance and ruminal environment parameters of lactating cows. At moderate levels (200–400 g/cow/day), milk yield was increased by zeolite. Milk fat and protein contents and DMI were not altered and all ruminal parameters were improved: acetate was enhanced, propionate was reduced and consequently, acetate to propionate ratio was increased. The rumen pH was increased and rumen ammonia nitrogen was reduced. When the level of zeolite exceeded 400 g/d/cow, all production and ruminal parameters were negatively altered. These data suggest that zeolite level in the diet has a significant effect on the response of dairy production and ruminal environment characteristics.</p></abstract>

In recent years, the use of both natural and synthetic zeolites in livestock feeds fed to lactating cows has increased, mainly to improve their performance, health, and to protect against mycotoxins intoxication. Data of scientific literature were compiled to analyze the effects of the incorporation of non-nutritional adsorbent zeolite on production performance and ruminal environment parameters of lactating cows. At moderate levels (200–400 g/cow/day), milk yield was increased by zeolite. Milk fat and protein contents and DMI were not altered and all ruminal parameters were improved: acetate was enhanced, propionate was reduced and consequently, acetate to propionate ratio was increased. The rumen pH was increased and rumen ammonia nitrogen was reduced. When the level of zeolite exceeded 400 g/d/cow, all production and ruminal parameters were negatively altered. These data suggest that zeolite level in the diet has a significant effect on the response of dairy production and ruminal environment characteristics.

Effects of Zeolite Supplementation on Dairy Cow Production and Ruminal Parameters – A Review

Research Unit of Toxicology, Environmental Microbiology, and Health (LR17ES06), Faculty of Science of Sfax

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

In recent years, the use of both natural and synthetic zeolites in livestock feeds fed to lactating cows has increased, mainly to improve their performance,...

Effects of Zeolite Supplementation on Dairy Cow Production and Ruminal Parameters – A Review

Published Online: Nov 02, 2018

Page range: 857 - 877

Received: Jan 25, 2018

Accepted: May 17, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2018-0025

Keywords
dairy cows, lactation, productive parameters, ruminal parameters, zeolite

© 2018 Khouloud Khachlouf et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effects of Zeolite Supplementation on Dairy Cow Production and Ruminal Parameters – A Review

Published Online: Nov 02, 2018

Page range: 857 - 877

Received: Jan 25, 2018

Accepted: May 17, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2018-0025

Keywordsdairy cows, lactation, productive parameters, ruminal parameters, zeolite

© 2018 Khouloud Khachlouf et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
dairy cows, lactation, productive parameters, ruminal parameters, zeolite