DOI
https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v10i4.717Abstract
PICO Question
In dairy cattle, does the methanogenesis inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol affect milk yield, compared to cows that receive no intervention to reduce enteric methane emissions?
Clinical bottom line
Category of research
Treatment.
Number and type of study designs reviewed
A total of 15 controlled trials were critically reviewed, of which 11 were randomised.
Strength of evidence
Moderate.
Outcomes reported
Eleven studies reported no effect of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) on milk yield at doses ranging from 40 to 135 mg of 3-nitrooxypropanol/kg of feed dry matter (DM). Two studies reported trends for decreased milk yield at doses greater or equal to 80 mg of 3-NOP/kg of feed DM, while a further two studies reported statistically significant declines in milk yield at doses of 80 mg of 3-NOP/kg of feed DM.
Conclusion
The reviewed studies provide a moderate strength of evidence to support that the administration of the methanogenesis inhibitor 3-NOP at concentrations less than 80 mg/kg of feed DM does not significantly affect milk yield in dairy cattle. Some studies suggest that 3-NOP may adversely affect milk yield at higher doses but the results are inconsistent.
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