Trace Mineral Nutrition Symposium: Exploring recent developments in swine and ruminants

Effects of Different Patterns and Sources of Trace Elements on Laying Performance, Tissue Mineral Deposition, and Fecal Excretion in Laying Hens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different patterns and sources of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Se on performance, mineral deposition (liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, pectorals muscle, and tibia), and excretion of laying hens, then to find an optimal dietary supplemental pattern of trace elements in laying hens. A total of 864 healthy laying hens with similar laying rate (Roman, 26-week-old) were randomly divided into nine treatments, with six replications of 16 birds per replication, including a control treatment and four patterns with different element sources (inorganic or organic): (1) Control treatment (basic diet without added extra trace minerals, CT); pattern 1, NRC (1994) recommended level (NRC-L): (2) inorganic minerals of NRC-L pattern (IN), (3) organic minerals of NRC-L pattern (ON); pattern 2, NY/T 33-2004 recommended level (NY/T-L): (4) inorganic minerals of NY/T-L pattern (IY), (5) organic minerals of NY/T-L pattern (OY); pattern 3, 50% NRC (1994) recommended level (50% NRC-L): (6) inorganic minerals of 50% NRC-L pattern (IHN), (7) organic minerals of 50% NRC-L pattern (OHN); pattern 4, the ratio of minerals in blood of laying hens was taken as the supplement proportion of trace elements, and Zn was supplemented depended on NRC recommended level (TLB): (8) inorganic minerals of TLB pattern (IB), (9) organic minerals of TLB pattern (OB). Two weeks were allowed for adjustment to the conditions and then measurements were made over eight weeks. Supplementation of trace elements led to increased daily egg weight (p < 0.05). Patterns of minerals in diets affected the content of liver Mn, pancreas Mn, tibia Mn, and the tissues Se (p < 0.05). Sources of minerals had positive effects on daily egg weight (p < 0.05), the concentrations of liver Fe, kidney Cu, tissues Se (except spleen), and fecal Se (p < 0.05). In conclusion, diet supplemented with the organic trace minerals of 50% NRC-L pattern (OHN) in laying hens promoted optimum laying performance, mineral deposition, and reduced mineral excretion.

Influence of Dietary Zinc, Copper, and Manganese on the Intestinal Health of Broilers Under Eimeria Challenge

The incidence of enteric infections in broiler chickens may increase worldwide due to mounting pressure to limit the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics and ionophores for coccidia suppression/prevention in the diets of broilers. For this reason, we need expand our knowledge on the role that micro-minerals have in modulating the intestinal physiology, immunology, and microbiology of broiler chickens. There are issues associated with the use of high doses of some micro-minerals in the diets of animals, such as environmental contamination, bacterial resistance, and gizzard erosion. Therefore, there is a need to maximize the absorption of these minerals by the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of birds when intestinal function may be compromised. Zinc is an essential micromineral required for growth, and influences intestinal development and/or regeneration during and after enteric disease. Two studies were conducted by our lab to determine the effects of Zn source in broilers under coccidia and Clostridium perfringens challenge. In the first study, Zn proteinate had beneficial effects on the performance of chickens challenged with coccidia plus C. perfringens by enhancing intestinal integrity and partially attenuating the inflammatory response. In the second study, Zn proteinate lowered the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulated the ileal microbiota. Additionally, the poultry industry has used prophylactic concentrations of dietary Cu for its ability to improve feed conversion for a long time. Copper absorption occurs mainly in the duodenum of chickens and, therefore, injuries to the intestinal epithelium of duodenum would impair Cu absorption and decrease its tissue concentration. Although there is a lack of studies relating Mn supplementation and its different sources on the immune response against coccidiosis in poultry, it is likely that Mn is beneficial during enteric challenges due to its role in the production of mucopolysaccharides. Therefore, the proper evaluation of the role of minerals on mitigating the negative impact of coccidiosis in broilers must consider their properties in modulating the physiology, immunology, and the intestinal microbiota of the host during health and disease situation events.

Nutrition and metabolism in poultry: role of lipids in early diet

Modern strains of broiler chickens are selected for fast growth and are marketed anywhere from 36 to 49 days after a 21-day incubational period. For a viable healthy chick, all the necessary nutrients required for growth and development must be provided by the hen through the fertilized egg. The current feeding strategies for improved growth, health and productivity are targeted towards chicks after hatching. Considering the fact that developing chick embryo spends over 30 % of its total life span inside the hatching egg relying on nutrients deposited by the breeder hen, investigations on nutritional needs during pre-hatch period will improve embryonic health, hatchability and chick viability. In this context, investigations on hatching egg lipid quality is of utmost importance because, during incubation, egg fat is the major source of energy and sole source of essential omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids to the chick embryo. Due to the unique roles of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in growth, immune health, and development of central nervous system, this review will focus on the role of early exposure to essential fatty acids through maternal diet and hatching egg and its impact on progeny in meat-type broiler chickens.