THE VALUE OF ENZYMES AND A TRANQUILIZER IN A RATION FOR FATTENING BEEF CATTLE 1/
Research Progress Report 7 April 1962
W. M. Beeson, T. W. Perry and M. T. Mohler, Department of Animal Sciences
Summary
Feeding the higher level of the tranquilizer (20 milligrams Tranimal) and both enzymes (cellulase and protease) increased gains 16, 10 and 10 percent, respectively, over the control lot fed no additive. However, because of fairly great variation of gains within treatments, mathematical analysis of the data indicated there was no statistically significant difference in gain among the five lots.
Even though no mathematically significant differences occurred, the trend toward increased gain from feeding 20 milligrams of Tranimal or from either cellulase or protease is sufficient to warrant continued research with feed additives.
Fortifying the diet with either Tranimal, cellulase or protease resulted in improved feed efficiency.
On an average, 8 percent less total digestible nutrients were required per 100 pounds of gain for the cattle receiving 20 milligrams of Tranimal, cellulase or 1 gram of protease.
Several reasons might be given to explain the high feed cost per pound of gain --the cattle were long yearlings (880 pounds); they did not gain very rapidly; and the trial was initiated in June with the early part of
the feeding trial falling during the very hottest months.
Need for Enzymes
Enzymes are essential for the digestion and utilization of all nutrients in the animal body. But ordinarily enzymes are secreted in sufficient quantities to take care of the digestion of feed nutrients. No enzymes are secreted to digest cellulose therefore the ruminant animal must depend on bacterial action for the breakdown of roughages. Hence it is important to continually screen enzymes that may be useful. In general the results reported to date on the anylolytic-proteolytic type of enzymes have been negative and inconsistent.
Tranquilizers have made a classical contribution in changing the response of man to his environment, but none of the tranquili-zing drugs have shown any consistent beneficial response in beef cattle except for medical purposes. It is hopeful that eventually a tranquilizer will be discovered that will improve the performance of beef cattle.
The objectives of this research were:
1.	To study the value of adding two levels of a tranquilizer, Tranimal 2/ and
2.	To determine the value of a supplemental cellulase 3/ and protease 3/
1/ This research was supported in part by research grants from Hoffman LaRoche, Inc., Nutley, New Jersey and Miles Chemical Company, Clifton, New Jersey.
2/ Furnished by Hoffman La Roche Inc., Nutley, New Jersey.
3/ Furnished by Miles Chemical Company, Clifton, New Jersey.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY • Agricultural Experiment Station • Lafayette, Indiana