Effects of added chelated trace minerals, organic selenium, yeast culture, direct-fed microbials, and Yucca schidigera extract in horses: II. Nutrient excretion and potential environmental impact

Comparison between different sources of minerals in horses with nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism

ABSTRACT Minerals perform several functions in the body, such as coagulation actions, muscle contraction, enzymatic and hormonal production, among others. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a 150 days chelated and not chelated mineral supplementation with and without potassium oxalate on serological parameters and bone mineral density of horses. Twenty-four crossbred yearlings (12 females and 12 males) with an average age of 21±3 months and body weight of 330.8±37.9kg were divided into four groups containing six equines in each (three females and three males) in a completely randomized design with repeated measurements in a 2x2 factorial arrangement. Treatments were: 1 - chelated minerals compound; 2 - chelated minerals compound and potassium oxalate; 3 - not chelated minerals compound; and 4 - not chelated minerals compound and potassium oxalate. Clinical signs of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSH) were observed only in treatment 4. Results showed no treatment effect in bone biopsy for calcium, phosphorus and bone density. There were significant reductions of parathyroid hormone (PTH) means concentrations in treatments 2 and 4 during supplementation. Animals supplemented with chelated minerals compounds avoided mineral imbalances and NSH even when in dietary potassium oxalate challenged.

Citrus Extract Improves the Absorption and Utilization of Nitrogen and Gut Health of Piglets

Simple Summary

Weaning can cause weaning stress and reduce the growth performance of piglets. Citrus extract has strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which can improve animal health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of citrus extract as a substitute for antibiotics in piglet diets. The results of this study indicate that citrus extract increased the concentrations of plasma essential amino acids, improved intestinal morphology and digestive enzymes activity.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of citrus extract (CE) on plasma free amino acids, intestinal morphology and enzymes activity, fecal nitrogen and phosphorus emissions in piglets. The experiment was performed on 144 weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) divided into three groups. Control (CON), fed a basic diet; Antibiotic (ANTI), fed a basic diet supplemented with 75 g/t chlortetracycline; Citrus extract (CE), fed a basic diet supplemented with 300 mL/t CE. The albumin content of the CE group was significantly higher than the CON group. Compared with the CON and ANTI groups, the CE group had increased concentrations of plasma total essential amino acids and threonine. Compared with the CON group, CE increased the α-aminoadipic acid concentration, while compared with ANTI group, it increased the 3-methylhistidine concentration. Compared with the CON group, the crypt depth of duodenum, jejunum and ileum decreased, and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth of ileum increased in the ANTI and CE groups. CE increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase and lipase in duodenum, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase and trypsin in jejunum. In brief, CE improved the absorption and utilization of nitrogen, intestinal morphology and digestive enzymes activity.