USO DE MONENSINA SÓDICA, VIRGINIAMICINA E ÓLEOS FUNCIONAIS NA SUPLEMENTAÇÃO DE BOVINOS

Abstract

The production of ruminants has grown substantially around the world, but the challenges regarding the efficiency of production systems are a reality and sometimes obstacles faced by ranchers. Thus, nutritionists have been working on modifying the ruminal environment in order to improve rumen efficiency and, consequently, feed efficiency. This study aimed to compare the literature on the use of sodium monensin, virginiamycin and essential oils if they are able to provide the same benefits and have the potential to replace them, in view of the growing barriers to the use of ionophores and not ionophores. Essential oils OEs are considered alternative and promising agents to antibiotics that improve animal performance. When used as food additives, functional oils are defined, as they have some active molecule capable of altering the body's metabolism. When used together with ionophore additives or exclusively, they influence the consumption of nutrients, without, however, causing changes in the performance and carcass characteristics of the animals. As for the use of sodium monensin, it was verified in most studies a reduction in food consumption without affecting the animals' weight gain. For virginiamycin, the researched studies reported positive effects in increasing the flux of microbial N, as well as improvements in the adaptation of animals to the initial phase of confinement. Thus, studies are still needed on the use of essential oils in the performance and production of ruminants regarding their potential to replace ionophore additives already used, dosages and sources.