Dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite as a feed additive in ruminants production

In recent years, research has focused on the study, development and validation of compounds of natural origin that can be used effectively and safely as an alternative to conventional growth promoters routinely used in livestock production, so that these do not compromise animal welfare, or the meat quality characteristics. One of these alternatives is the use of minerals such as zeolites of the clinoptilolite type. Clinoptilolite, when added to ruminant feed, has been shown to have beneficial effects on some parameters of ruminal fermentation, which translates into an improvement in the productive behavior of the animal. However, there is a lack of studies on ruminants, and in some cases have been inconclusive. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the effects of the dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite as a feed additive in ovines, and bovines supplemented with different levels of Clinoptilolite