Phytochemicals and Monensin in Dairy Cows: Impact on Productive Performance and Ruminal Fermentation Profile

Phytochemicals are a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. This study evaluated the effects of phytochemicals (curcuminoids, trans-cinnamaldehyde, and piperine) and monensin on performance and ruminal fermentation during the transition period in grazing dairy cows. In a complete rand...

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Main Authors: Lucas Gonzalez-Chappe, Maria A. Bruni, Aline C. Dall-Orsoletta, Pablo Chilibroste, Ana Meikle, Maria L. Adrien, Alberto Casal, Juan P. Damián, Hugo Naya, Marisela Arturo-Schaan, Diego A. Mattiauda
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2172
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author Lucas Gonzalez-Chappe
Maria A. Bruni
Aline C. Dall-Orsoletta
Pablo Chilibroste
Ana Meikle
Maria L. Adrien
Alberto Casal
Juan P. Damián
Hugo Naya
Marisela Arturo-Schaan
Diego A. Mattiauda
author_facet Lucas Gonzalez-Chappe
Maria A. Bruni
Aline C. Dall-Orsoletta
Pablo Chilibroste
Ana Meikle
Maria L. Adrien
Alberto Casal
Juan P. Damián
Hugo Naya
Marisela Arturo-Schaan
Diego A. Mattiauda
author_sort Lucas Gonzalez-Chappe
collection DOAJ
description Phytochemicals are a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. This study evaluated the effects of phytochemicals (curcuminoids, trans-cinnamaldehyde, and piperine) and monensin on performance and ruminal fermentation during the transition period in grazing dairy cows. In a complete randomized design, 60 Holstein cows (36 multiparous, 24 primiparous; 9 fistulated) were assigned to (1) control (CTL), (2) monensin (MON, 0.30 g/cow/day), or (3) phytochemicals (PHY, 50 g/cow/day) treatment from 30 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum. Prepartum, cows received a total mixed ration (TMR); postpartum, they grazed between a.m. and p.m. milking and were supplemented with TMR. Ruminal fermentation was evaluated at −7, 30, and 60 days postpartum. Prepartum dry matter intake was lower in MON primiparous cows than in CTL and PHY. Additives increased milk yield and lactose percentage in primiparous cows. PHY cows had lower acetate, higher propionate, and reduced acetate-to-propionate and ketogenic-to-glucogenic ratios at 60 days postpartum. MON reduced prepartum protozoa, while PHY increased prepartum branched-chain volatile fatty acids (BCVFAs). Both additives decreased BCVFA and protozoa postpartum. Additives reduced ammonia at 30 days, but only PHY persisted at 60 days. MON and PHY improved primiparous performance, enhanced ruminal fermentation, and promoted glucogenic fermentation while reducing ammonia and protozoa.
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spelling doaj-art-a95bac63c75f44d898b4d137c992cec32025-08-20T03:36:30ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011515217210.3390/ani15152172Phytochemicals and Monensin in Dairy Cows: Impact on Productive Performance and Ruminal Fermentation ProfileLucas Gonzalez-Chappe0Maria A. Bruni1Aline C. Dall-Orsoletta2Pablo Chilibroste3Ana Meikle4Maria L. Adrien5Alberto Casal6Juan P. Damián7Hugo Naya8Marisela Arturo-Schaan9Diego A. Mattiauda10Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. Garzón 780, Montevideo 12900, UruguayFacultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. Garzón 780, Montevideo 12900, UruguayCCPA France, CCPA Group, ZA du Bois de Teillay, 35150 Janzé, FranceFacultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. Garzón 780, Montevideo 12900, UruguayFacultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Ruta 8 km 18, Montevideo 12400, UruguayFacultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Ruta 8 km 18, Montevideo 12400, UruguayFacultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. Garzón 780, Montevideo 12900, UruguayFacultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Ruta 8 km 18, Montevideo 12400, UruguayFacultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. Garzón 780, Montevideo 12900, UruguayCCPA France, CCPA Group, ZA du Bois de Teillay, 35150 Janzé, FranceFacultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. Garzón 780, Montevideo 12900, UruguayPhytochemicals are a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. This study evaluated the effects of phytochemicals (curcuminoids, trans-cinnamaldehyde, and piperine) and monensin on performance and ruminal fermentation during the transition period in grazing dairy cows. In a complete randomized design, 60 Holstein cows (36 multiparous, 24 primiparous; 9 fistulated) were assigned to (1) control (CTL), (2) monensin (MON, 0.30 g/cow/day), or (3) phytochemicals (PHY, 50 g/cow/day) treatment from 30 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum. Prepartum, cows received a total mixed ration (TMR); postpartum, they grazed between a.m. and p.m. milking and were supplemented with TMR. Ruminal fermentation was evaluated at −7, 30, and 60 days postpartum. Prepartum dry matter intake was lower in MON primiparous cows than in CTL and PHY. Additives increased milk yield and lactose percentage in primiparous cows. PHY cows had lower acetate, higher propionate, and reduced acetate-to-propionate and ketogenic-to-glucogenic ratios at 60 days postpartum. MON reduced prepartum protozoa, while PHY increased prepartum branched-chain volatile fatty acids (BCVFAs). Both additives decreased BCVFA and protozoa postpartum. Additives reduced ammonia at 30 days, but only PHY persisted at 60 days. MON and PHY improved primiparous performance, enhanced ruminal fermentation, and promoted glucogenic fermentation while reducing ammonia and protozoa.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2172transition periodruminal fermentationmilk yieldprotozoa
spellingShingle Lucas Gonzalez-Chappe
Maria A. Bruni
Aline C. Dall-Orsoletta
Pablo Chilibroste
Ana Meikle
Maria L. Adrien
Alberto Casal
Juan P. Damián
Hugo Naya
Marisela Arturo-Schaan
Diego A. Mattiauda
Phytochemicals and Monensin in Dairy Cows: Impact on Productive Performance and Ruminal Fermentation Profile
Animals
transition period
ruminal fermentation
milk yield
protozoa
title Phytochemicals and Monensin in Dairy Cows: Impact on Productive Performance and Ruminal Fermentation Profile
title_full Phytochemicals and Monensin in Dairy Cows: Impact on Productive Performance and Ruminal Fermentation Profile
title_fullStr Phytochemicals and Monensin in Dairy Cows: Impact on Productive Performance and Ruminal Fermentation Profile
title_full_unstemmed Phytochemicals and Monensin in Dairy Cows: Impact on Productive Performance and Ruminal Fermentation Profile
title_short Phytochemicals and Monensin in Dairy Cows: Impact on Productive Performance and Ruminal Fermentation Profile
title_sort phytochemicals and monensin in dairy cows impact on productive performance and ruminal fermentation profile
topic transition period
ruminal fermentation
milk yield
protozoa
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2172
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