Total-tract digestibility and milk productivity of dairy cows as affected by trace mineral sources

Specific of accumulation of manganese in organs and tissues of Hereford cattle

The elemental status of cattle is one of the important factors, which determine its growth, fertility, fetal development, meat and dairy production, etc. Therefore, the study of content of different elements in cattle organs and tissues and its correlation with cattle characteristics and diet is urgent task. It is also important to develop intravital and low-invasive methods to analyze element content in cattle to regulate its diet during lifetime. In the present work, we have studied the content and distribution of manganese in Hereford cattle from an ecologically clean zone of Western Siberia (Russia). 252 samples were taken from 31 bulls aged 15-18 months. They were collected from various livestock farms in the region and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (organs and muscle tissue) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (hair). The median values of manganese concentration obtained in natural moisture for hair, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, muscles, spleen, testes, and brain were 25, 0.37, 1.0, 2.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.5 ppm. Accordingly, the concentration of manganese differs significantly in the organs and tissues of animals (H = 188.6, df = 8, p <0.0001). Statistically significant associations of manganese were revealed in pairs: liver-testis, hair-testis, spleen-testis, and heart-brain. The classification of organs and tissues of animals according to the level of content and variability of manganese is carried out. The concentration of manganese in the body is not uniform, most of all it is deposited in the hair and excretory organs of the liver and kidneys. In other organs and muscle tissues, the distribution of manganese is more even and is in the range of 0.2-0.5 ppm. The resulting ranges can be used as a guideline for Hereford cattle bred in Western Siberia.

Rectal microbiomes and serum metabolomics reveal the improved effect of Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharides on the lactation performance, antioxidant and immune responses of lactating donkeys

This study is aimed at investigating the effects of dietary supplementation with Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharides (AOCP) on lactation performance, antioxidant status, and immune status of lactating donkeys and analyzing rectal microbiomes and serum metabolomes. Fourteen lactating Dezhou donkeys with similar age (6.16 ± 0.67 years of BW ± SD), weight (250.06 ± 25.18 kg), days in milk (39.11 ± 7.42 d), and averaged parity of 3 were randomly allocated into 2 treatments: a control group (CON, basal diet) and an AOCP group (AOCP, basal diet with 1.0 g/kg DM AOCP). Ten weeks were allotted for the experiment, 2 weeks for adaptation, and 8 weeks for collecting data and samples. The results showed that supplementation of donkey diets with AOCP increased lactation performance, including dry matter intake, milking yield, estimated milk yield, solids-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, milk fat yield, milk protein yield, milk lactose yield, milk total solids yield, and milk solid not fat yield. The digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber was increased in the AOCP group compared with the CON group. The AOCP group increased the concentrations of immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin M, the activities of the superoxide dismutase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity in the serum. AOCP decreased the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde in the serum. Compared with the CON group, AOCP increased propionate, butyrate, isovalerate, and total VFA concentrations in rectal feces (P < 0.05). The addition of AOCP to increased diversity (Shannon index) and altered structure of the rectal microflora. As a result of AOCP supplementation, there has been a significant improvement in the colonization of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Unclassified_f_Prevotellacea, Ruminococcus, and Fibrobacter genera. In contrast, a decrease in the colonization of the Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 bacterial genus and other pathogenic bacteria was observed. Meanwhile, metabolomics analysis found that AOCP supplementation upregulated metabolites L-tyrosine content while downregulating 9(S)-HODE, choline, sucrose, LysoPC (18:0), LysoPC (18:1(9Z), and LysoPC (20:2(11Z,14Z)) concentrations. These altered metabolites were involved in the PPAR signaling pathway, prolactin signaling pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolism, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and tyrosine metabolism pathways, which were mainly related to antioxidant capacity, immune responses, and protein metabolism in the lactating donkeys. As a consequence of feeding AOCP diets, beneficial bacteria were abundant, and antioxidant and protein metabolism-related pathways were enriched, which may enhance lactation performance in donkeys. Therefore, supplementing AOCP diets is a desirable dietary strategy to improve donkey health and lactation performance.

Impact of 48-h water and feed deprivation and hydroxychloride sources of copper and zinc on the metabolism and performance of grazing Nellore cattle during the dry period

Procedures such as transport and marketing can subject animals to water and feed deprivation and impair animal health and performance. Maintaining the mineral status of animals under these conditions can bring benefits to health and performance. The use of hydroxychloride mineral sources can improve mineral status, nutrient digestibility and performance. Two studies were conducted to investigate how the supplementation of 02 trace mineral sources of Cu and Zn and 48-hour water/feed deprivation would affect the performance and metabolism of grass-fed beef cattle. In the first study, 20 castrated and rumen-canulated Nellore steers (BW = 350 ± 132 kg; 20 m) were distributed in individual pens, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: supplemental Cu and Zn sources from inorganic vs hydroxychloride (HTM) and 48-hours deprivation (WFD) vs unrestricted (WFU) access to water and feed. The 57d of study was divided into two periods: (1) Adaptation from -21d to -1d and (2) evaluation from 0d to 36d. Interaction between deprivation × period was detected (P < 0.05) for digestibility of DM (DMD), organic matter (OMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDFD), and acid detergent fiber (ADFD). Deprivation increased DMD, OMD, NDFD, and ADFD immediately after the deprivation period (3-5d), but impaired digestibility at longer periods such as 11-13d and 32-34d. DM (DMI) and nutrient intake (P = 0.075), as well as NDFD were higher in HTM. Several ruminal parameters were affected by deprivation: short-chain fatty acids concentration decreased, while rumen pH increased (deprivation × time; P < 0.05); decreased propionate, butyrate and increased isobutyrate, isovalerate, and valerate in WFD (deprivation × time; P < 0.05), respectively. In the second study, eighty-four intact Nellore males (BW = 260 ± 35 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu paddocks for 131d in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Liver Cu was higher in WFU/HTM animals (mineral × deprivation; P < 0.05). Interaction between deprivation × period (P < 0.05) was detected for BW and average daily gain (ADG). On 2d and 12d after deprivation, WFD increased ADG and recovered the BW lost. In conclusion, water and feed deprivation imposed in these trials were able to impact several nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation parameters in short- and long-term. Performance was not affected by the studied factors. Furthermore, supplementation with sources of Cu and Zn hydroxychloride increased Cu in the liver and tended to increase DMI and NDFD.

Meta-analysis of the effects of sulfate versus hydroxy trace mineral source on nutrient digestibility in dairy and beef cattle

Trace mineral (TM) source can potentially alter nutrient digestibility through effects on microbial populations. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether sulfate versus hydroxy (IntelliBond) sources of supplemental Cu, Zn, and Mn had any effect on dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility. All available cattle studies (8 studies, 12 comparisons) were used to estimate the effect size (hydroxy mean - sulfate mean). Factors included in the analysis were method of digestibility analysis (total collection, marker-based, or 24 h in situ), study design (randomized design or Latin square), beef (n = 5) versus dairy (n = 7) cattle, and days on treatment; these factors were retained when P < 0.05. Dry matter digestibility was increased by hydroxy TM in beef (1.64 ± 0.35 units) but not in dairy models (0.16 ± 0.13 units) relative to sulfate TM. The NDF digestibility increased significantly with hydroxy versus sulfate TM, but digestibility assessment method influenced this response. Studies using total collection or undigested NDF as a flow marker showed a significant increase (2.68 ± 0.40 units and 1.08 ± 0.31 units, respectively) in NDF digestibility for hydroxy versus sulfate TM; but studies utilizing 24-h in situ incubation did not detect any change (-0.03 ± 0.23 units). These observations may reveal differences in precision of measurement or may indicate mineral effects beyond the rumen; total collection is considered the gold standard method. Hydroxy TM did not affect DMI per animal or per unit of body weight relative to sulfate TM. In conclusion, feeding hydroxy versus sulfate TM does not appear to affect DMI but, depending on type of cattle and method of measurement, can increase dry matter digestibility and NDF digestibility, which may be explained by differences in solubility of the TM sources in rumen, differentially affecting fermentation.

Speciation analysis of manganese against the background of its different content in the blood serum of dairy cows

Studies in the field of microelement speciation in the body of farm animals, in particular dairy cattle, are almost completely absent. The average concentration of Mn in the blood serum of all the studied animals (n = 80) was 2.5 μg/L, which corresponds to normal values. Of the total number of animals, 21% were the cows with the low normal values (serum Mn concentration ≤ 2 µg/L, i.e. less than Q25 of the total sample) and 25% were the animals with the high normal values (serum Mn concentration ≥ 2.72 µg/L, i.e. more than Q75 of the total sample). The data obtained in the course of the study indicate that the change in the Mn level, even in the range of normal values, is accompanied by the redistribution of this element over various protein fractions. The six found Mn blood serum forms are presumably represented by α2-macroglobulin (tetramer, dimer, and monomer), transferrin/albumine, manganese citrates, and "free" metal ions. The analyzed fractions of Mn found in the blood serum of cows had the following hierarchy of concentrations: in the group with low-normal values of Mn ("free" Mn >> tetrameric form of α2-macroglobulin >> transferrin/albumine >> dimeric form of α2-macroglobulin >> monomeric form of α2-macroglobulin >> citrate), in the group with high normal manganese values ("free" Mn >> monomeric form of α2-macroglobulin >> transferring/albumine >> citrate >> tetrameric form of α2-macroglobulin >> dimeric form of α2-macroglobulin). In the group with high normal Mn values relative to the group with low normal values, there was a percentage decrease in the tetrameric fraction of a2-macroglobulin from 17.2 to 4.4%, dimeric fraction of a2-macroglobulin from 6.9 to 2.2%, "free" Mn from 54.3 to 44.4% and an increase in monomeric fraction of a2-macroglobulin from 6.7 to 23.1%, transferrin/albumine from 10.1 to 17.7%, citrate from 4.8 to 8.2%. Our data demonstrate the features of Mn redistribution of dairy cows, which can be used for an extended assessment of the microelement status of animals.

The effect of supplementing native rumen microbes on milk production of dairy cows

We evaluated the effects of 2 direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplements containing 4 native rumen microorganisms on the production of dairy cows. Ninety Holstein cows (43% primiparous) were fed a common diet. Mean days in milk, milk yield, and body weight at the beginning of the study (mean ± standard deviation) were 92 ± 23 d, 45 ± 10 kg/d, and 659 ± 86 kg, respectively. After 14 d, they were blocked by parity, days in milk, and energy-corrected milk (ECM) per unit of metabolic body weight. Within block, cows were randomly assigned to treatments, which were top-dressed daily for the next 112 d. Treatments were 150 g of ground corn mixed with (1) no live DFM (CON), (2) 5 g of a live DFM (Galaxis 2.0; G2), and (3) 5 g of a live DFM (Galaxis 2.0 Plus; G2P). G2 and G2P were products of Native Microbials Inc. (San Diego, CA) and contained the same organisms but in different concentrations. Supplementation with DFM did not alter yield of total milk, protein, or fat, but slightly decreased body weight gain and body condition score gain with no difference between G2 and G2P. The DFM tended to decrease dry matter intake (DMI) and tended to improve ECM/DMI. The DFM did not alter digestibility of fiber, starch, or protein and did not alter concentrations of glucose or nonesterified fatty acids, but tended to decrease concentration of insulin in plasma. Direct-fed microbials decreased somatic cell counts in milk with no difference between G2 and G2P. In conclusion, supplementation with native DFM had little impact on animal production and efficiency.

Effects of replacing inorganic salts of trace minerals with organic trace minerals in pre- and postpartum diets on feeding behavior, rumen fermentation, and performance of dairy cows

Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of complete replacement of supplementary inorganic salts of trace minerals (STM) by organic trace minerals (OTM) in both pre- and postpartum diets on feeding behavior, ruminal fermentation, rumination activity, energy metabolism, and lactation performance in dairy cows. Pregnant cows and heifers (n = 273) were blocked by parity and body condition score and randomly assigned to either STM or OTM diets at 45 ± 3 d before their expected calving date. Both groups received the same diet, except for the source of trace minerals (TM). The STM group was supplemented with Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn sulfates and Na selenite, whereas the OTM group was supplemented with Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn proteinates and selenized yeast. Treatments continued until 156 days in milk and pre- and postpartum diets were formulated to meet 100% of recommended levels of each TM in both treatments, taking into consideration both basal and supplemental levels. Automatic feed bins were used to assign treatments to individual cows and to measure feed intake and feeding behavior. Rumination activity was monitored by sensors attached to a collar from wk -3 to 3 relative to calving. Blood metabolites were evaluated on d -21, -10, -3, 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 23, and 65 relative to calving. Ruminal fluid samples were collected using an ororuminal sampling device on d -21, 23, and 65 relative to calving, for measurement of ruminal pH and concentration of volatile fatty acids. Cows were milked twice a day and milk components were measured monthly. Cows supplemented with OTM tended to have longer daily feeding time (188 vs. 197 min/d), and greater dry matter intake (DMI; 12.9 vs. 13.3 kg), and had a more positive energy balance (3.6 vs. 4.2 Mcal/d) and shorter rumination time per kg of dry matter (DM; 40.1 vs. 37.5 min/kg of DM) than cows supplemented with STM during the prepartum period. In the postpartum period, OTM increased DMI in multiparous cows (24.1 vs. 24.7 kg/d) but not in primiparous cows (19.1 vs. 18.7 kg/d). The difference in DMI of multiparous cows was more evident in the first 5 wk of lactation, when it averaged 1 kg/d. Milk yield was not affected by treatment in multiparous cows (44.1 vs. 44.2 kg/d); however, primiparous cows supplemented with OTM had lesser yields than primiparous cows supplemented with STM (31.9 vs. 29.8 kg/d). Cows supplemented with OTM had a greater percentage of protein in milk (3.11 vs. 3.17%), reduced concentration of nonesterified fatty acids in serum (0.45 vs. 0.40 mmol/L), and rumination activity (30.1 vs. 27.8 min/kg of DM) than cows supplemented with STM. At the end of the transition period, cows supplemented with OTM had reduced molar proportion of acetate, reduced pH, and tended to have a greater concentration of total volatile fatty acids in ruminal fluid. In conclusion, complete replacement of STM by OTM caused modest changes in rumen fermentation, feeding behavior, energy metabolism, and performance of dairy cows, improving postpartum DMI in multiparous cows and reducing circulating levels of nonesterified fatty acids. The pre-absorptive effects of TM source and the parity specific responses on performance warrant further research.

Effect of zinc sources and experimental conditions on zinc balance in growing wethers

Three experiments were conducted with growing wethers to evaluate apparent excretion and retention of Zn from various sources. In experiments 1 and 2, Zn-ethylene diamine (ZE), Zn hydroxychloride (ZHYD), Zn-lysine/glutamate (ZAA), and Zn-glycinate (ZG) were used and ZnSO₄ (ZS), ZHYD, ZAA, and ZG were used in experiment 3. In experiment 1, eight wethers were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. In experiments 2 and 3, 40 wethers were used in a randomized block design. In experiment 1, each period (total four periods) consisted of 14-d diet adaptation and 4 d of total collection of feces and urine. In experiments 2 and 3, wethers received a basal diet for 14 d and received experimental diets for 9 d (diet adaptation), followed by 4 d of total collection of feces and urine. Total collection was conducted in wooden metabolic cages. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS as a Latin square design for experiment 1 and a completed randomized block design for experiments 2 and 3. In all experiments, dry matter intake did not differ among treatments except that it tended to be different in experiment 2. In experiment 1, no difference in Zn excretion (88%) and retention (11%) as proportion of Zn intake was observed among Zn sources. In experiment 2, total tract digestibility of crude protein was greater (P < 0.01) for ZAA than ZE and ZG (82.0% vs. 79.1% and 77.8%, respectively) and greater (P < 0.01) for ZHYD than ZG (80.2% vs. 77.8%). However, total tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was low (on average 16%) for all treatments with no difference among treatments in experiment 2. Apparent excretion and retention of Zn as proportion of Zn intake did not differ among treatments, and Zn retention (~1.4% of Zn intake) was very low for all treatments. In experiment 3, ZHYD and ZAA had greater retention of Zn (17.8% vs. 1.5%; P = 0.01) than ZG. Fecal Zn excretion was greater (97.3% vs. 81.2%; P = 0.01) for ZG vs. ZHYD and ZAA, and Zn retention for ZG was only 1.5% of Zn intake. In conclusion, potential increases in Zn absorption and retention were observed for ZHYD and ZAA compared with ZS and ZG in experiment 3 and these differences were not found in experiments 1 and 2. Experiment 1 used a Latin square design and experiment 2 used a diet containing largely undigestible fiber. These experimental conditions may have affected Zn metabolism in wethers. Inconsistent results on Zn balance for ZG among the experiments warrant further studies regarding its bioavailability.

Trace mineral source impacts rumen trace mineral metabolism and fiber digestion in steers fed a medium-quality grass hay diet

Twelve Angus steers (BW 452.8 ± 6.1 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulae were used to determine the impact of trace mineral (TM) source on digestibility, ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) composition, ruminal soluble concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn, and relative binding strength of trace minerals located in the rumen insoluble digesta fraction. Steers were fed a medium-quality grass hay diet (DM basis: 10.8% CP, 63.1% neutral detergent fiber [NDF], 6.9 mg Cu/kg, 65.5 mg Mn/kg, and 39.4 mg Zn/kg) supplemented with protein for 21 d. Treatments consisted of either sulfate (STM) or hydroxy (HTM) sources (n = 6 steers/treatment) to provide 20, 40, and 60 mg supplemental Cu, Mn, and Zn/kg DM, respectively. Following a 21-d adaptation period, total fecal output was collected for 5 d. Dry matter (P < 0.07) and CP (P < 0.06) digestibility tended to be reduced, and NDF (P < 0.04) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (P < 0.05) digestibility were reduced in STM- vs. HTM-supplemented steers. On day 6, ruminal fluid was collected at 0, 2, and 4 h post-feeding and analyzed for VFA. There were no treatment x time interactions for VFA. Steers receiving HTM had less (P < 0.02) molar proportions of butyric acid and greater (P < 0.05) total VFA concentrations than STM-supplemented steers. Steers were then fed the same diet without supplemental Cu, Zn, or Mn for 14 d. On day 15 steers received a pulse dose of 20 mg Cu, 40 mg Mn, and 60 mg Zn/kg DM from either STM or HTM (n = 6 steers/treatment). Ruminal samples were obtained at 2-h intervals starting at -4 and ending at 24 h relative to dosing. There was a treatment x time interaction (P < 0.03) for ruminal soluble Cu, Mn, and Zn concentrations. Ruminal soluble mineral concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) for Cu at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 h; for Mn at 4 and 6 h; and for Zn at 4, 6, and 8 h post-dosing in STM compared with HTM-supplemented steers. Copper concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) at 12 and 24 h and Zn concentrations in ruminal solid digesta were greater at 24 h in HTM-supplemented steers. Upon dialysis against Tris-EDTA, the percent Zn released from digesta was greater (P < 0.05) at 12 h (P < 0.03) and 24 h (P < 0.05), and the percent Cu released was greater (P < 0.02) at 24 h post-dosing in HTM steers when compared with STM-supplemented steers. Results indicate that Cu and Zn from HTM have low solubility in the rumen and appear to be less tightly bound to ruminal solid digesta than Cu and Zn from STM. The lower ruminal soluble concentrations of Cu and Zn in steers given HTM were associated with greater fiber digestibility.