1- Department of Animal Science University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran,
2- Department of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
3- Professor, Department of Animal Science University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
4- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Iran
2- Department of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
3- Professor, Department of Animal Science University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
4- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Tehran, Pakdasht, Iran
Abstract: (327 Views)
Extended Abstract
Background: Zinc (Zn) is one of the essential minerals for the health and productivity of growing calves because this mineral is important for metabolism, growth, immune and defense systems, and antioxidant status. Zn has an essential role in the regulation of many metabolic processes, and its deficiency results in low appetite and, consequently, decreased feed intake. Therefore, it is of strong interest for producers, feed manufacturers, veterinarians, and scientists. The National Research Council (2021) recommends 70 mg/kg of Zn for calves at 30 days of age, while the amount of this element is commonly low in the soil of many regions of Iran. Therefore, plants that grow in these soils have a low level of Zn concentration, and when they are consumed as animal feed, can cause a wide range of complications due to Zn deficiency, among which growth abnormality is one of the most obvious signs. Zn supplementation may improve the health and performance of suckling calves. However, the use of high Zn concentrations in the diet may affect the digestion, absorption, and use of other nutrients in the diet and potentially lead to environmental pollution due to the excess excretion of Zn in feces. Thus, the use of Zn sources above bioavailability has a special place. Recently, organic and hydroxy forms of minerals in animal feed supplements have attracted substantial interest from feed manufacturers and animal producers because they have higher Zn bioavailability than inorganic salts. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Zn in milk on the performance, skeletal growth, and blood and ruminal parameters of Holstein suckling calves.
Methods: To study the effect of adding milk-soluble zinc on the blood and metabolic status of Holstein calves, 30 calves were used in a completely randomized design. The animals were evaluated using three types of diets: 1) a basal diet (containing 53.29 mg/kg of Zn DM), 2) a basal diet+milk containing 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as oxide, and 3) a basal diet + milk containing 40 mg/kg of Zn DM as sulfate, with 10 replications.
Results: Body weight and feed intake were higher in calves fed the basal diet with milk containing 40 mg/kg of Zn DM as sulfate than in those fed the basal diet without Zn supplementation at 31 days old (P < 0.05). Height, hip width, chest girth, length, and feces score were higher in calves fed the basal diet with milk containing 40 mg/kg of Zn DM as sulfate than in calves fed the basal diet without Zn supplementation at 31 days old (P < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase was higher in calves fed a basal diet + milk containing 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as oxide than in calves fed a basal diet + milk containing 40 mg/kg of Zn DM as sulfate (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of this experiment, the use of a basal diet with milk containing 40 mg/kg of zinc as zinc sulfate, based on the need in the milk of Holstein calves, improves body weight, feed intake, and fecal score, leading to an increase and improvement in skeletal growth and health parameters. By understanding the factors affecting serum alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity due to the use of a basal diet + milk containing 20 mg/kg of zinc as zinc oxide in Holstein suckling calves, it is possible to more effectively measure the activity of this enzyme for disease diagnosis. Therefore, the use of a basal diet with milk containing 40 mg/kg of zinc as zinc sulfate in calves is recommended to improve the metabolic status of the animal.
Background: Zinc (Zn) is one of the essential minerals for the health and productivity of growing calves because this mineral is important for metabolism, growth, immune and defense systems, and antioxidant status. Zn has an essential role in the regulation of many metabolic processes, and its deficiency results in low appetite and, consequently, decreased feed intake. Therefore, it is of strong interest for producers, feed manufacturers, veterinarians, and scientists. The National Research Council (2021) recommends 70 mg/kg of Zn for calves at 30 days of age, while the amount of this element is commonly low in the soil of many regions of Iran. Therefore, plants that grow in these soils have a low level of Zn concentration, and when they are consumed as animal feed, can cause a wide range of complications due to Zn deficiency, among which growth abnormality is one of the most obvious signs. Zn supplementation may improve the health and performance of suckling calves. However, the use of high Zn concentrations in the diet may affect the digestion, absorption, and use of other nutrients in the diet and potentially lead to environmental pollution due to the excess excretion of Zn in feces. Thus, the use of Zn sources above bioavailability has a special place. Recently, organic and hydroxy forms of minerals in animal feed supplements have attracted substantial interest from feed manufacturers and animal producers because they have higher Zn bioavailability than inorganic salts. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Zn in milk on the performance, skeletal growth, and blood and ruminal parameters of Holstein suckling calves.
Methods: To study the effect of adding milk-soluble zinc on the blood and metabolic status of Holstein calves, 30 calves were used in a completely randomized design. The animals were evaluated using three types of diets: 1) a basal diet (containing 53.29 mg/kg of Zn DM), 2) a basal diet+milk containing 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as oxide, and 3) a basal diet + milk containing 40 mg/kg of Zn DM as sulfate, with 10 replications.
Results: Body weight and feed intake were higher in calves fed the basal diet with milk containing 40 mg/kg of Zn DM as sulfate than in those fed the basal diet without Zn supplementation at 31 days old (P < 0.05). Height, hip width, chest girth, length, and feces score were higher in calves fed the basal diet with milk containing 40 mg/kg of Zn DM as sulfate than in calves fed the basal diet without Zn supplementation at 31 days old (P < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase was higher in calves fed a basal diet + milk containing 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as oxide than in calves fed a basal diet + milk containing 40 mg/kg of Zn DM as sulfate (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of this experiment, the use of a basal diet with milk containing 40 mg/kg of zinc as zinc sulfate, based on the need in the milk of Holstein calves, improves body weight, feed intake, and fecal score, leading to an increase and improvement in skeletal growth and health parameters. By understanding the factors affecting serum alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity due to the use of a basal diet + milk containing 20 mg/kg of zinc as zinc oxide in Holstein suckling calves, it is possible to more effectively measure the activity of this enzyme for disease diagnosis. Therefore, the use of a basal diet with milk containing 40 mg/kg of zinc as zinc sulfate in calves is recommended to improve the metabolic status of the animal.
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
