PSI-12 Effects of supplementing propionate in a finishing diet on dry matter intake, glucose clearance, and blood metabolites

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 98; no. Supplement_4; p. 270
• Main Authors: Rathert, Abbey R, Salisbury, Carlee M, Zapalac, Dakota J, Foote, Andrew P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 30-11-2020
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa278.486

Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to determine if supplementing propionate alters DMI, glucose clearance rate, and blood metabolite concentrations in steers fed a finishing diet. Holstein (n = 15) steers were individually fed a finishing diet ad-libitum. Steers were allocated by BW to receive: no Ca propionate (CON), 100 g/d (LOW), or 300 g/d (HIGH) in the diet. Orts were collected and weighed daily to determine DMI. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 7, and 21, and BW recorded on d 0, 14, and 28. A glucose tolerance test was conducted on d 14 and 28 of the trial. Samples were analyzed for whole blood glucose and lactate, and plasma NEFA. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with treatment, day and their interaction included, with day as a repeated measure. The CON treatment had greater (P < 0.01) DMI than LOW and HIGH. BW was greater for CON throughout the experiment and all treatments had an increased BW on day 28 (P = 0.03 for the interaction). Whole blood glucose concentrations tended (P = 0.09) to be higher on d 21 than d 0 and 7, but was not affected by treatment (P = 0.58). Plasma NEFA concentrations were lower (P = 0.05) for CON than other treatments, and greater (P = 0.002) on d 0 than d 7 and 21. Whole blood lactate concentrations were greater (P = 0.05) on d 7, than d 0 and 21, but was not effected by treatment (P = 0.13). There was no treatment (P ≥ 0.16) or day effect (P ≥ 0.36) on glucose peak, plateau, or clearance rate. These data indicate that supplemental propionate may decrease dry matter intake but might not alter glucose clearance rate.