Volume 15, Issue 2 (6-2024)
Res Anim Prod 2024, 15(2): 95-106 |
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Cheraghi Mashoof L, Aliarabi H, Alipour D, Zamani P. (2024). Effects of Different Sources of Supplemental Zinc on the Performance and Some Blood Parameters of Holstein Suckling Calves. Res Anim Prod. 15(2), 95-106. doi:10.61186/rap.15.2.95
URL: http://rap.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-1397-en.html
URL: http://rap.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-1397-en.html
1- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran & Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
2- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran & Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu - Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
2- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran & Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu - Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
Abstract: (844 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. This element is also known as an anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal agent. In addition, Zn in enzymes acts as a structural component away from the active site, a proton donor in the active site, and an atomic bridge between the substrate and the enzyme. 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 sulfate, organic Zn, and Zn hydroxychloride on performance, growth, and blood parameters in Holstein suckling calves.
Methods: This study was conducted on 40 Holstein suckling calves from 7 to 77 days of age in a completely randomized design. Each treatment had the same number of male and female calves. Treatments were 1) a basal diet without Zn supplement (containing 53.29 mg/kg of Zn DM), 2) a basal diet + 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as organic Zn, 3) a basal diet + 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as Zn hydroxychloride, and 4) a basal diet + 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as Zn sulfate. Calves were kept in individual stalls and had ad libitum access to water and a starter. During the experiment, the calves were fed with two meals of milk at 8:00 and 16:00 at the rate of 2 kg per meal. The dry matter intake, daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined in calves. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein on 7, 43, and 77 days of age almost 4-5 hours after morning feeding. The collected blood was poured into two separate tubes, one containing heparin to obtain plasma and the other without heparin to obtain serum. Plasma and serum samples were kept at −80°C until the measurement of the studied parameters. Blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, creatine phosphokinase, and lipid parameters (triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein) were measured using commercial kits. A Mindray BS-800 Chemistry Analyzer - BS-800 was used to measure the amounts of Zn, Fe, and Cu in blood. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design using SAS.
Results: There were no significant differences between treatments for daily weight gain and dry matter intake at 21, 35, 45, and 63 days of age (P > 0.05). At 77 days of age, daily weight gain and feed intake in calves received Zn supplements as Zn sulfate, Zn hydroxychloride, and organic Zn were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between different sources of Zn supplemented to the groups
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. This element is also known as an anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal agent. In addition, Zn in enzymes acts as a structural component away from the active site, a proton donor in the active site, and an atomic bridge between the substrate and the enzyme. 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 sulfate, organic Zn, and Zn hydroxychloride on performance, growth, and blood parameters in Holstein suckling calves.
Methods: This study was conducted on 40 Holstein suckling calves from 7 to 77 days of age in a completely randomized design. Each treatment had the same number of male and female calves. Treatments were 1) a basal diet without Zn supplement (containing 53.29 mg/kg of Zn DM), 2) a basal diet + 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as organic Zn, 3) a basal diet + 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as Zn hydroxychloride, and 4) a basal diet + 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as Zn sulfate. Calves were kept in individual stalls and had ad libitum access to water and a starter. During the experiment, the calves were fed with two meals of milk at 8:00 and 16:00 at the rate of 2 kg per meal. The dry matter intake, daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined in calves. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein on 7, 43, and 77 days of age almost 4-5 hours after morning feeding. The collected blood was poured into two separate tubes, one containing heparin to obtain plasma and the other without heparin to obtain serum. Plasma and serum samples were kept at −80°C until the measurement of the studied parameters. Blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, creatine phosphokinase, and lipid parameters (triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein) were measured using commercial kits. A Mindray BS-800 Chemistry Analyzer - BS-800 was used to measure the amounts of Zn, Fe, and Cu in blood. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design using SAS.
Results: There were no significant differences between treatments for daily weight gain and dry matter intake at 21, 35, 45, and 63 days of age (P > 0.05). At 77 days of age, daily weight gain and feed intake in calves received Zn supplements as Zn sulfate, Zn hydroxychloride, and organic Zn were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between different sources of Zn supplemented to the groups
(P > 0.05). Body weight and FCR of the calves during the suckling period were not affected by Zn supplementation (P > 0.05). There were significant increases in the serum Zn and alkaline phosphatase concentrations of the calves supplemented with Zn sulfate, Zn methionine, and Zn organic compared to the control group (𝑃 < 0.05). Serum concentrations of Fe, Cu, Ca, P, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase, and lipid parameters (triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein) were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). However, the superoxide dismutase activity of the Zn-supplemented groups showed a numerical increase compared to the control group (P = 0.08).
Conclusion: The results showed that adding 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as Zn sulfate, Zn hydroxychloride, and organic Zn increased serum Zn and alkaline phosphatase concentrations and, finally, improved dry matter intake and daily weight gain. However, there were no significant differences between the Zn-supplemented groups for serum Zn and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, dry matter intake, and daily weight gain.
Conclusion: The results showed that adding 20 mg/kg of Zn DM as Zn sulfate, Zn hydroxychloride, and organic Zn increased serum Zn and alkaline phosphatase concentrations and, finally, improved dry matter intake and daily weight gain. However, there were no significant differences between the Zn-supplemented groups for serum Zn and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, dry matter intake, and daily weight gain.
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