Effect of monensin on weight gain, growth traits, and semen characteristics in yearling beef bulls

Authors

C.W. Peters
S.B. Laudert
L.R. Corah
C.L. Krehbiel
David A. Nichols

Keywords

Cattlemen's Day, 1994; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 94-373-S; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 704; Beef; Bulls; Performance; Monensin; Semen; Ionophore; Morphology

Abstract

Feeding the ionophore monensin to yearling beef bulls improved (P<.05) weight gain by 4.2%. Final hip height was similar between treatments, but bulls fed monensin had almost 1 cm greater (P<.01) scrotal circumference and more than 10 cm 2 larger (P<.01) pelvic area. Semen characteristics generally were unaffected by treatment. However, bulls fed monensin had less (P<.01) semen motility than controls. Approximately 30 sperm morphology traits were evaluated; values were similar between treatments except for those traits listed. Collection date tended to influence (P<.15) volume, concentration, motility, and postfreeze characteristics.

Recommended Citation

Peters, C.W.; Laudert, S.B.; Corah, L.R.; Krehbiel, C.L.; and Nichols, David A. (1994) "Effect of monensin on weight gain, growth traits, and semen characteristics in yearling beef bulls," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.2077