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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 November 2017
Monensin and yeast culture are known to alter rumen fermentation. Their modes of action appear to be different, and a recent study showed that the combination of both yeast culture (YC) and monensin stimulated weight gain in bulls by 12-13% over monensin alone (Spedding, 1990). However, Edwards et al. (1991) found no complementary effects between YC and avoparcin when they were combined in a silage diet for steers. In addition to its action in the rumen, monensin is known to affect post-ruminal digestion (Armstrong, 1984). Viable Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been isolated from the duodenal digesta of sheep fed YC (Newbold et al., 1990), suggesting that YC too might have post-ruminal effects. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of monensin and/or yeast culture in the diet or infused into the abomasum on rumen fermentation and blood parameters, and also on digestive physiology by monitoring plasma gastrin, insulin and CCK-8 concentration.