Reduction of 3-methylindole production and prevention of acute bovine pulmonary edema and emphysema with lasalocid.

A study was conducted to determine the dose of lasalocid that would effectively reduce ruminal conversion of tryptophan (TRP) to 3-methylindole (3MI) and prevent the development of acute bovine pulmonary edema and emphysema (ABPE). After adaptation to a maintenance diet for 3 wk, 20 mature beef cows were randomly divided into four groups of five cows each and fed 0, 200, 400 or 600 mg lasalocid X head-1 X d-1 in .5 kg ground barley for the 12-d experimental period. In vitro conversion of TRP to 3MI and indole by ruminal fluid and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were determined on d 0, 2, 4, 6 and 12. On d 6, an oral dose of .35 g TRP/kg body weight was given to induce ABPE, and ruminal production of 3MI and indole was determined at intervals thereafter. Formation of 3MI was sharply reduced (P less than .01) both in vitro and in vivo by lasalocid treatment at 200 mg X head-1 X d-1. Further suppression of 3MI production occurred as the lasalocid dose was increased (P less than .05). Linear (P less than .0001) and quadratic (P less than .002) components were determined for the relationship between lasalocid dose and 3MI production. Indole formation was variable, but tended to increase (P less than .05) with increasing lasalocid dose. Cows that received no lasalocid developed moderate to severe clinical signs of ABPE and three cows died of acute lung disease. Lasalocid treatment at all levels prevented ABPE. Lasalocid decreased ruminal acetate and butyrate, and increased propionate concentration (P less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)