Abstract
A 53-day field trial was performed to evaluate the effects of the essential oils of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and capsicum on the health status and growth performance of 45 Charolais beef cattle (average arrival weight: 422.0 ± 29.3 kg; control: n = 21; treated: n = 24). Each animal was weighed, and blood samples were collected on days 0, 25, and 53. The average daily gain of the treated group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control. The treated group showed a significant increase in antibody for BHV-1 after vaccination (P < 0.05 at day 25 and day 53) and significantly higher serum bactericidal activity (P = 0.01). No differences between groups were observed for serum content of haptoglobin or reactive metabolites of oxygen. The observed improvement in growth performance and health status is due to the capacity of essential oils to optimize rumen fermentations, to increase dry matter intake, and probably to the positive interaction between essential oils and immune system components.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Benchaar C, Petit HV, Berthiaume R, Whyte TD, Chouinard PY (2006) Effects of addition of essential oils and monensin premix on digestion, ruminal fermentation, milk production, and milk composition in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 89:4352–4364
Busquet M, Calsamiglia S, Ferret A, Kamel C (2005) Screening for the effects of natural plant extracts and secondary plant metabolites on rumen microbial fermentation in continuous culture. Anim Feed Sci Technol 123(124):597–613
Busquet M, Calsamiglia S, Ferret A, Kamel C (2006) Plant extracts affect in vitro rumen microbial fermentation. J Dairy Sci 89:761–771
Calsamiglia S, Busquet M, Cardozo PW, Castillejos L, Ferret A (2007) Invited review: essential oils as modifiers of rumen microbial fermentation. J Dairy Sci 90:2580–2595
Cardozo PW, Calsamiglia S, Ferret A, Kamel C (2004) Effects of natural plant extracts on protein degradation and fermentation profiles in continuous culture. J Anim Sci 82:3230–3236
Cardozo PW, Calsamiglia S, Ferret A, Kamel C (2005) Screening for the effects of natural plant extracts at different pH on in vitro rumen microbial fermentation of a high-concentrate diet for beef cattle. J Anim Sci 83:2572–2579
Lee SE, Hwang HJ, Ha JS, Jeong HS, Kim JH (2003) Screening of medicinal plant extracts for antioxidant activity. Life Sci 73:167–179
Trouillas P, Calliste CA, Allais DP, Simon A, Marfak A, Delage C, Duroux JL (2003) Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties of sixteen water plant extracts used in the Limousin countryside as herbal teas. Food Chem 80:399–407
Yang WZ, Ametaj BN, Benchaar C, He ML, Beauchemin KA (2010a) Cinnamaldehyde in feedlot cattle diets: intake, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood metabolites. J Anim Sci 88:1082–1092
Yang WZ, Ametaj BN, Benchaar C, Beauchemin KA (2010b) Response to cinnamaldehyde supplementation in growing beef heifers: ruminal and intestinal digestion. J Anim Sci 88:680–688
Acknowledgments
Trial conducted in collaboration with New Wave and Phytosolutions. The authors would like to thank Mr. Andrea Zanovello for trial assistance.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Compiani, R., Sgoifo Rossi, C.A., Pizzi, A., Dell’Orto, V. (2013). Administration of Essential Oils Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol, and Capsicum to Beef Cattle: Effects on Health Status and Growth Performance. In: Boiti, C., Ferlazzo, A., Gaiti, A., Pugliese, A. (eds) Trends in Veterinary Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36488-4_32
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36488-4_32
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-36487-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-36488-4
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)