Production and health of cows given monensin prepartum and a high-energy diet postpartum

The object of this study was to evaluate the impact of monensin administration on the early lactation performance of cows maintained on a high-energy diet, and on health traits during the transition period. Cows (n = 168; parity 3.3 ± 1.4, initial body condition score 3.1 ± 0.08, and milk yield of 34.3 kg/d ± 0.9 for multiparous cows in the preceding lactation) were divided into control and monensin treatment groups. A controlled-release capsule supplying 335 mg of monensin/d for 95 d was inserted into the rumen of monensin-treated cows 30 d before the expected calving. Blood samples were obtained 2 h after feeding on d 14 prepartum and on d 7, 14, and 50 postpartum. Plasma glucose concentration was 3% higher (58 ± 0.5 vs. 56.4 ± 0.5 mg/dL) and β-hydroxybutyric acid was 17% (6.7 ± 0.3 vs. 8.0 ± 0.3 mg/dL) lower in monensin-treated than control cows. Plasma glucose was 10% higher (60.0 ± 0.6 vs. 54.5 ± 0.3 mg/dL) and β-hydroxybutyric acid was 16% lower (6.8 ± 0.3 vs. 7.9 ± 0.2 mg/dL) in primiparous than multiparous cows. Plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration (measured only in primiparous cows) was 17% lower (287 ± 15 vs. 336 ± 17 μEq/L) in treated than in control cows. Rate of ketosis incidence was 60% lower (8 vs. 21%) in monensin-treated than in control cows, and the proportion of control cows that required a supply of glucogenic precursors was 3-fold higher than in monensin-treated cows. The body condition score was 3.1 ± 0.05, 2.7 ± 0.05, and 2.4 ± 0.05 on d 60 prepartum and d 7 and 50 postpartum, respectively, and was not affected by treatment. During the first 5 mo of lactation, milk yield was 7% higher (37.6 ± 0.6 vs. 35.2 ± 0.6 kg/d) in monensin-treated cows than in control cows. Our results showed that monensin administration, as a controlled-release capsule in prepartum cows, can be beneficial, even if these cows are maintained on a high-energy diet during the subsequent lactation.