Monosodium phosphate (MSP): a solution to support ruminants under heat stress condition

Heat stress occurs when temperature and humidity reach a certain level from which the cow can’t dissipate efficiently its heat to maintain its body temperature at normal condition. Heat stress indicator considers both parameters and refers to Temperature-Humidity Index (THI). When THI is above 68, animals are under heat stress condition (Herbut et al.; CNIEL, 2021).

Consequently, to remove the heat, animals adapt themselves: respiratory rate increases as well as sweat, which leads to a loss of some electrolytes as sodium (Na). If this is not sufficient, animals can modify their behaviour, decreasing feed intake, rumen activity and thus performances.

Monosodium phosphate (MSP) brings 23.5% of phosphorus highly water soluble (95%)

which secures available phosphorus for ruminal bacteria, an essential element for their development. Monosodium phosphate (MSP) also brings 16% of Na without chloride . It allows to positively work on the dietary cation anion difference (DCAD), another parameter to consider while dealing with heat stress condition.