Effects of zeolytes on ruminants feeding

Zeolytes are a group of crystallized hy drated aluminosilicates with small pores, which contain exchangeable cations of alkaline and soil alkaline metals (such as K+, Mg+, Ca2+ and Na+) and they can absorb water and release it in a reversible way. One of their apparent features is that are able to absorb and release water in a reversible way (manner), and can exchange same of their structural cations without much change in their structure. Researches about usage of zeolytes in ruminants feeding have shown that zeolytes immediately exchange ammonium ions breakdown of nonprotein nitrogen Components(NPN) in ruminants rumen with their structural cations and keep them for some hours, until during fermentation period after feeding, by saliva Na+ entering into rumen release. Then zeolyte act as a nitrogen resource in rumen, and by slow and gradually release of that, mean while production of microbial protein, cause a more effective usage of ammonium ions, which cause the inhancement of feed efficiency, increasement of weight and prevention of ammoniumi poisoning. Researches have shown that one of the most important mechanisms of zeolytes activity is their ability in immobilization of intestinal enzymes, which this action inhances activity and stability of intesfinal enzymes and has a role in better absorbtion of nutrient. Investigations show that we add 4 percent zeolyte in the diet of calves and lambs,dairy cattle, better results will be achieved.

Keywords:

zeolyte , ruminants , average daily gain , feed intake , feed efficiency