POLYETHER IONOPHORES – WHAT ARE THEY, WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND RISKS OF THEIR USE IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Abstract

Polyether ionophores are a class of antibiotics used in animal production preventively, therapeutically and as food additives. The main representatives of this class are monensin, lasalocid, narasin, salinomycin and hidramycin. They are used for the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis in birds and calves and, as food additives, improving production performance. In beef cattle farming they help with weight gain and muscle development and in dairy cattle farming they increase milk production, although there is controversy regarding the improvement of solids and fats in the product. Despite the benefits of using ionophores, there are reports, both experimental and accidental, of poisoning caused by them in several animal species as a result of supplementation errors (offering quantities above those recommended for the species), poor homogenization of feed containing the additive and the ingestion of feed intended for cattle by other animals. In addition to the risks of poisoning animals, there is also the risk of poisoning consumers of products coming from animals supplemented with polyether ionophores, making it important to investigate residues of these substances in meat, eggs and milk. This review aims to discuss what polyether ionophore antibiotics are, what are the advantages and risks of their use in animal production, the risks of bacterial resistance emerging to these drugs and how this can interfere with human health, in addition to investigating how they occur poisoning in animals and their clinical course.