360 - The Ability of an Enhanced Zeolite-based Flow Agent to Mitigate the Effects of Ergot-like Alkaloids Consumed by Beef Cattle

Monday, June 27, 2022

2:05 PM – 2:20 PM CT

Location: Oklahoma City Convention Center, 207 A/B

Presenting Author(s)

Joshua M. Zeltwanger, n/a

Graduate Research assistant
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO

Author(s)

Eric Bailey, Missouri

State Extension Specialist: Beef Cattle Nutrition
Animal Science
Columbia, MO
JH

Jerilyn Hergenreder

Kemin Industries Inc.
Des Moines, IA
LC

Landon Canterbury

Kemin Industries
Des Moines, IA
DB

Derek Brake

Animal Science
Columbia, MO
EP

Emily Petzel, MS

Graduate Student
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO
BN

Benjamin Nelson

Animal
Columbia, MO
DX

Du Xiangwei

College of Vet Med
Columbia, MO
TE

Tim Evans

College of Vet Med
Columbia, MO

Abstract: Aluminosilicate-based flow agents, like zeolites, may impact digestion of ergot-like alkaloids in the ruminant gut. Twenty-four steers (226 ± 27.6 kg) were used in a 21-d experiment to test the effects of an enhanced zeolite-based flow agent (KALLSIL, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA) on site of ergot-like alkaloid excretion, serum prolactin, rectal temperature, respiration rate, and nutrient digestibility. Treatments were control (E+) or enhanced zeolite inclusion (E+Z; 2 g/kg, DM basis). Steers were fed a TMR at 1.85% of BW (DM-basis). Tall-fescue seed was included in the diet at 11.14%, providing 465 µg of ergovaline/kg DM. Steers had no ORTS during the experiment. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were recorded daily at 0700 and 1200 h from steers housed tie stalls in a room kept at (18.5°C ± 0.33°C, 32.6% ± 2.19%). Serum was harvested from blood collected on d-1, 7, 14, and 21 to measure prolactin. On d-21 jugular catheters were placed to measure prolactin following the infusion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; 1 µg/kg BW). Spot samples of feces and urine were collected every 8 h from d 17-20, with 2-hour advancement each day to determine digestibility, N balance, and recovery of ergot-like alkaloids. Digestion and N balance was not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.16). Enhanced zeolite tended (P = 0.15) to increase recovery of ergovaline. Prolactin concentration decreased over time (P < 0.01), but was greater (P = 0.01) at each time point for E+Z steers. Following the infusion of TRH, prolactin tended (P = 0.11) to be greater for E+Z. Rectal temperatures and respiration rates were not affected (P ≥ 0.89) by E+Z. Results from this study indicate that enhanced zeolite inclusion tended to increase recovery of ergot-like alkaloids in feces and increased serum prolactin when offered to beef steers in a diet containing ergot-like alkaloids.