A comparative study on the efficacy of Garlicon and monensin supplementation on blood metabolites and performance of fattening lambs

In this study, the effects of Garlicon (GLC) (vegetable oil from garlic and onion family) were evaluated in comparison to monensin (MON) on blood metabolites and performance of fattening lambs. Thirty-five four to five-month-old lambs in five groups (seven lambs in each group) were confined in individual boxes. The experimental diets were offered as: basal diet without additives (Control); basal diet supplemented with 33 mg MON/kg DM (positive control), and three other groups, including basal diet with 0.03 (GLC1), 0.06 (GLC2) and 0.09 (GLC3) ml of GLC/l of drinking water. Rumen pH increased and the rumen ammonia concentrations decreased significantly with both monensin and Garlicon supplementations. The MON and, to a lesser extent, GLC had similar effects on the molar ratio of volatile fatty acids. The observed changes in the concentrations of VFAs and ammonia in the rumen liquid could be considered as a favorable outcome of GLC supplementation. These findings were associated with significant reduction in blood NEFA and BHB concentrations. MON and GLC had no effects on feed intake (P>0.05). Values for average daily gain in lambs supplemented by MON and GLC indicated an improved energy intake efficiency. In conclusion, this study found that the most prominent effects of MON and GLC supplementations were increased ruminal propionate concentrations, propionate to acetate ratios, and decreased serum NEFA and BHB concentrations.