Effects of Parenteral Supplementation with Minerals and Vitamins on Oxidative Stress and Humoral Immune Response of Weaning Calves

Graduate Student Literature Review: Role of antioxidants in calf immunity, growth, and health

The neonatal period for dairy calves is crucial for immune, metabolic, and physical development, which opens a window of disease susceptibility. Although the industry has relied on tools such as colostrum and vaccination to support early life immunity, there are several challenges when vaccinating neonatal calves: (1) the inability to mount an effective immune response, (2) interference with maternal antibodies, and (3) oxidative stress (OS). Oxidative stress, which is characterized as an imbalance of pro-oxidants to antioxidants, results in cellular oxidative damage or dysfunction, or both.. Oxidative stress has become a topic of interest in the neonatal period because it negatively affects lymphocyte function, which might affect vaccine response. Widely studied in mature cattle, antioxidant supplementation has the potential to improve reduction-oxidation balance and immune response. Evidence supporting the use of antioxidants such as vitamins and minerals in neonatal calves is far scarcer but necessary to optimize immunity and disease resistance. This review summarizes research on the effect of antioxidant supplementation on calf immunity, health, and productivity and highlights remaining gaps in knowledge. Overall, micronutrient supplementation, including vitamins and minerals, in preweaning and postweaning calves improved immune responses but there is conflicting evidence supporting the subsequent positive effect on calf health and growth performance.

Effects of dietary feed supplementation with heat-treated Lactobacillus sakei HS-1 on the health status, blood parameters, and fecal microbes of Japanese Black calves before weaning

Background and Aim

Our previous research suggested that heat-killed Lactobacillus sakei HS-1 (HK-LS HS-1) is potentially beneficial for improving intestinal microbes and reducing the number of medical treatments. This study aimed to investigate the effect of HK-LS HS-1 as a supplement in milk replacers (MRs) on clinical health during the 1-month preweaning period.

Materials and Methods

Eighteen female calves were randomly assigned to either a group receiving the HK-LS HS-1 supplement (n = 9) or a control group without it (n = 9). We then investigated the effect of including supplementary HK-LS HS-1; 0.2% in MRs twice daily at 09:00 and 16:00 on the health, serum biochemical parameters (measured using an automated biochemical analyzer), and fecal bacteriological changes of preweaning Japanese Black calves at the day of the start of supplementation (before HK-LS HS-1 supplementation; day 0), at weaning (day 30), and at 2 weeks (day 45) and 4 weeks (day 60) after weaning.

Results

During the supplementation period (0-30 days), (1) an increase (p = 0.023) was observed in albumin, and there was a tendency of increase in total cholesterol level in the HK-LS HS-1 group but not in the control group; (2) substantial differences were obtained after the weaning period (30-60 days), although no differences were observed from 0-30 days in both groups. The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level was substantially increased after weaning in the control group. No differences were observed in the amounts of Coliform spp. and Staphylococcaceae spp. between the two groups; thus, HK-LS HS-1 supplementation had similar antibacterial effects. A significant reduction was observed in the time to weaning of the HK-LS HS-1 group in the field trial.

Conclusion

Supplementation with HK-LS HS-1 from an early stage after birth to weaning is a cost-effective treatment to improve the growth rate of preweaning calves. However, supplementation during only preweaning periods appears to have no beneficial effects on preventing weaning stress, especially in terms of AMH levels.

Effects of milk, milk replacer, and milk replacer plus ethoxyquin on the growth performance, weaning stress, and the fecal microbiota of Holstein dairy calves

The growth and health statuses of calves during the early stages of development have a significant effect on milk production during their first lactation period. Using appropriate milk replacers helps meet the long-term targets of dairy farmers. This study aimed to examine the effects of milk, milk replacer, and milk replacer plus ethoxyquin on growth performance, antioxidant status, immune function, and the gut microbiota of Holstein dairy calves. A total of 36 neonatal dairy calves were randomly divided into three groups and fed different diets: one group was fed milk, another group was fed milk replacer, and the third group was given milk replacer plus ethoxyquin. The supplementation with ethoxyquin was started on day 35 of the feeding period. The calves were weaned on day 45, and the experiment was conducted until day 49. The blood and fecal samples were collected at the end of the animal experiment. The results showed that milk replacers induced poor growth performance (body weight and average daily gain). However, milk replacer plus ethoxyquin aided in growth performance, enhanced the starter intake and blood antioxidative ability, and elevated the concentration of fecal valeric acid. Moreover, fecal fermentation and 16S rRNA analyses showed that milk replacer plus ethoxyquin altered the microbial composition (reducing Alistipes and Ruminococcaceae and increasing Bacteroides and Alloprevotella). Pearson's correlation assays showed that alterations in fecal microbiota strongly correlated with average daily gain and antioxidative ability. The results indicated the potential of milk replacer plus ethoxyquin in modulating the growth of dairy calves and in enhancing their ability to combat stress.

Differentially Expressed Genes and Signalling Pathways Regulated by High Selenium Involved in Antioxidant and Immune Functions of Goats Based on Transcriptome Sequencing

The objective of this study is to observe the effect of high selenium on the antioxidant and immune functions of growing goats based on transcriptome sequencing. Eighteen goats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) the control (CON) group was fed a basal diet, and (2) the treatment 1 group (LS) and treatment 2 group (HS) were fed a basal diet with 2.4 and 4.8 mg/kg selenium-yeast (SY), respectively. The results indicate that HS treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the apparent digestibility of either extract and significantly increased (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity, whereas it significantly (p < 0.05) decreased plasma aspartate aminotransferase and malondialdehyde relative to the control group. The LS treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) increased glutathione S-transferase and catalase compared to CON. A total of 532 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CON and HS were obtained using transcriptome sequencing. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis identified upregulated (p < 0.05) DEGs mainly related to vascular smooth muscle contraction, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, the VEGF signalling pathway, and proteoglycans in cancer; downregulated (p < 0.05) DEGs mainly related to the NOD-like receptor signalling pathway, influenza A, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, haematopoietic cell lineage, and African trypanosomiasis. Ontology analyses of the top genes show that the identified DEGs are mainly involved in the regulation of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor production for biological processes, the external side of the plasma membrane for cellular components, and carbohydrate derivative binding for molecular functions. Seven genes are considered potential candidate genes for regulating antioxidant activity, including selenoprotein W, 1, glutathione peroxidase 1, glutathione S-transferase A1, tumour necrosis factor, tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 10, tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 8, and tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 13b. The experimental observations indicate that dietary supplementation with 4.8 mg/kg SY can enhance antioxidant and immune functions by improving muscle immunity, reducing the concentrations of inflammatory molecules, and modulating antioxidant and inflammatory signalling pathways in growing goats.

Effects of injectable vitamin C at weaning and prior to transit on growth performance of early-weaned beef steers

This study investigated the effects of injectable vitamin C (VC) at weaning and prior to transit on growth performance and immune function in early-weaned beef steers. On day 0, 91 Angus × Simmental steers (92 ± 4 kg) were weaned (65 ± 11 d of age), given vaccination boosters, blocked by age, and randomly assigned to weaning (WEAN) treatments: intramuscular injections (20 mL per steer) of VC (250-mg sodium ascorbate per mL; 5 g per steer) or saline (SAL). From days 0 to 48, steers were housed at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center (Simpson, IL) in pens (six pens; N = 14 to 16 steers per pen) equipped with two to three Vytelle bunks to measure individual daily feed disappearance. On day 49, half of the steers in each WEAN treatment were randomly assigned to an additional injection treatment (20 mL per steer) of VC or SAL prior to transport (TRANS). After administering pretransit injections, all steers were loaded onto a commercial livestock trailer with equal representation of treatments across compartments. Steers were transported for 6 h (approximately 480 km) to the Illinois Beef and Sheep Field Laboratory (Urbana, IL). Upon arrival, steers were sorted into pens (six pens; N = 13 to 17 steers per pen) with 2 Vytelle bunks per pen. Steers were weighed on days 0, 1, 14, 48, 49, 64, 78, 106, and 107. Blood was collected (WEAN = 24 steers per treatment; TRANS = 12 steers per treatment) on days 0, 1, 2, 14, 49 (pre- and posttransit), 50, and 51. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 with fixed effects of age block, WEAN, TRANS, and WEAN × TRANS. Plasma ascorbate concentrations were greater (WEAN × time P < 0.01) on days 1 and 2 for steers that received VC at weaning. Similarly, for steers that received VC on day 49 pretransit, ascorbate concentrations were greater (TRANS × time P = 0.04) on days 49 posttransit, 50, and 51. Treatments did not affect (P ≥ 0.13) body weight, average daily gain, or gain to feed throughout the trial. Serum Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus type 1 and 2 antibody titers on days 14 and 51 were not affected (P ≥ 0.32) by treatment. Injectable VC administered to early-weaned beef steers at the time of weaning or pretransit increased plasma ascorbate concentrations but did not improve growth performance or antibody response to vaccination booster.

A bottom-up view of antimicrobial resistance transmission in developing countries

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is tracked most closely in clinical settings and high-income countries. However, resistant organisms thrive globally and are transmitted to and from healthy humans, animals and the environment, particularly in many low- and middle-income settings. The overall public health and clinical significance of these transmission opportunities remain to be completely clarified. There is thus considerable global interest in promoting a One Health view of AMR to enable a more realistic understanding of its ecology. In reality, AMR surveillance outside hospitals remains insufficient and it has been very challenging to convincingly document transmission at the interfaces between clinical specimens and other niches. In this Review, we describe AMR and its transmission in low- and middle-income-country settings, emphasizing high-risk transmission points such as urban settings and food-animal handling. In urban and food production settings, top-down and infrastructure-dependent interventions against AMR that require strong regulatory oversight are less likely to curtail transmission when used alone and should be combined with bottom-up AMR-containment approaches. We observe that the power of genomics to expose transmission channels and hotspots is largely unharnessed, and that existing and upcoming technological innovations need to be exploited towards containing AMR in low- and middle-income settings.

Review: Implication of redox imbalance in animal health and performance at critical periods, insights from different farm species

The process of oxidative stress occurs all over the production chain of animals and food products. This review summarises insights obtained in different farm species (pigs, ruminants, poultry, and fishes) to underpin the most critical periods for the venue of oxidative stress, namely birth/hatching and weaning/start-feeding phase. Common responses between species are also unravelled in periods of high physiological demands when animals are facing dietary deficiencies in specific nutrients, suggesting that nutritional recommendations must consider the modulation of responses to oxidative stress for optimising production performance and quality of food products. These conditions concern challenges such as heat stress, social stress, and inflammation. The magnitude of the responses is partly dependent on the prior experience of the animals before the challenge, reinforcing the importance of nutrition and other management practices during early periods to promote the development of antioxidant reserves in the animal. When these practices also improved the performance and health of the animal, this further confirms the central role played by oxidative stress in physiologically and environmentally induced perturbations. Difficulties in interpreting responses to oxidative stress arise from the fact that the indicators are only partly shared between studies, and their modulations may also be challenge-specific. A consensus about the best indicators to assess pro-oxidative and antioxidant pathways is of huge demand to propose a synthetic index measurable in a non-invasive way and interpretable along the productive life of the animals.

Genetics and nutrition impacts on herd productivity in the Northern Australian beef cattle production cycle

Genetics and nutrition drive herd productivity due to significant impacts on all components of the beef cattle production cycle. In northern Australia, the beef production system is largely extensive and relies heavily on tropical cattle grazing low quality, phosphorus-deficient pastures with seasonal variations in nutritive value. The existing feedlots are predominantly grain-based; providing high-energy rations, faster turn-off and finishing of backgrounded cattle to meet market specifications. This review focusses on the beef cattle production cycle components of maternal nutrition, foetal development, bull fertility, post-natal to weaning, backgrounding, feedlotting, rumen microbes and carcass quality as influenced by genetics and nutrition. This student-driven review identified the following knowledge gaps in the published literature on northern Australian beef cattle production cycle: 1. Long-term benefits and effects of maternal supplementation to alter foetal enzymes on the performance and productivity of beef cattle; 2. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes to increase nutrient availability from the cell wall and better utilisation of fibrous and phosphorus deficient pasture feedbase during backgrounding; 3. Supplementation with novel encapsulated calcium butyrate and probiotics to stimulate the early development of rumen papillae and enhance early weaning of calves; 4. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms as genetic markers for the early selection of tropical beef cattle for carcass and meat eating quality traits prior to feedlotting; The review concludes by recommending future research in whole genome sequencing to target specific genes associated with meat quality characteristics in order to explore the development of breeds with superior genes more suited to the North Australian beef industry. Further research into diverse nutritional strategies of phosphorus supplementation and fortifying tropically adapted grasses with protein-rich legumes and forages for backgrounding and supplementing lot-fed beef cattle with omega-3 oil of plant origin will ensure sustainable production of beef with a healthy composition, tenderness, taste and eating quality.

Erythrogram and oxidative stress in confined cattle fed with Brachiaria sp hay and supplemented with antioxidants

Abstract Brachiaria sp contains sporidesmin that can be oxidized by lipoperoxidation and cause oxidative stress. In the present study we evaluated the effects of different antioxidants on lipoperoxidation of erythrocytes from Nelore cattle fed with Brachiaria sp hay. The experimental design was entirely randomized, in which 40 whole male cattle were divided into five treatments (G1: control - no supplementation; G2: selenium and vitamin E supplementation; G3: zinc supplementation; G4: selenium supplementation and G5: vitamin E supplementation) and allocated in feedlot pens for 105 days. The samples heparinized and withethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were obtained every 28 days for hematological and oxidative stress evaluation (0, 28 56, 84 and 105 days). In the erythrogram total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit (Ht) were measured. For the evaluation of oxidative stress, in order to analyze the characteristics of the erythrocyte membrane, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total glutathione (GSH-T), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. The results showed that regardless of the treatment there was no oxidative stress during the experimental confinement period and that the joint association of selenium and vitamin E in the bovine diet provided a lower incidence of deleterious alterations on erythrocytes.

Eritrograma e estresse oxidativo em bovinos confinados alimentados com feno de Brachiaria sp. e suplementados com antioxidantes

Resumo As Brachiaria sp contêm esporidesminas que podem ser oxidadas por lipoperoxidação e ocasionar estresse oxidativo. No presente estudo foram avaliados os efeitos de diferentes antioxidantes na lipoperoxidação dos eritrócitos de bovinos da raça Nelore, alimentados com feno de Brachiaria sp. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em que 40 bovinos machos, inteiros, foram divididos, em cinco tratamentos (G1: controle - sem suplementação; G2: suplementação de selênio e vitamina E; G3: suplementação de zinco; G4: suplementação de selênio e G5: suplementação de vitamina E) e alocados em baias de confinamento, por 105 dias. As amostras de plasma heparinizado ou com ácido etilenodiamino tetra-acético (EDTA) foram obtidas a cada 28 dias para avaliação hematológica e de estresse oxidativo (0, 28 56, 84 e 105 dias). No eritrograma foi mensurado a contagem total de eritrócitos, a hemoglobina e o volume globular (VG). Para a avaliação do estresse oxidativo, com o objetivo de analisar as características da membrana do eritrócito foram determinadas as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), glutationa total (GSH-T), glutationa peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) e superóxido dismutase (SOD). Os resultados demonstraram que independente do tratamento não houve estresse oxidativo durante o período do confinamento experimental e que a associação conjunta de selênio e vitamina E na dieta dos bovinos proporcionaram menor incidência de alterações deletérias sobre os eritrócitos.

Acaricide resistance in livestock ticks infesting cattle in Africa: Current status and potential mitigation strategies

In many African countries, tick control has recently been the responsibility of resource-poor farmers rather than central government veterinary departments. This has led to an increase in acaricide resistance, threatening the welfare of livestock farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Resistance has evolved to the three classes of acaricides used most extensively in the continent, namely fourth-generation synthetic pyrethroids (SP), organophosphates (OP) and amidines (AM), in virtually all countries in which they have been deployed across the globe. Most current data are derived from research in Australia and Latin America, with the majority of studies on acaricide resistance in Africa performed in South Africa. There is also limited recent research from West Africa and Uganda. These studies confirm that acaricide resistance in cattle ticks is a major problem in Africa. Resistance is most frequently directly assayed in ticks using the larval packet test (LPT) that is endorsed by FAO, but such tests require a specialist tick-rearing laboratory and are relatively time consuming. To date they have only been used on a limited scale in Africa and resistance is often still inferred from tick numbers on animals. Rapid tests for resistance in ticks, would be better than the LPT and are theoretically possible to develop. However, these are not yet available. Resistance can be mitigated through integrated control strategies, comprising a combination of methods, including acaricide class rotation or co-formulations, ethnoveterinary practices, vaccination against ticks and modified land management use by cattle, with the goal of minimising the number of acaricide applications required per year. There are data suggesting that small-scale farmers in Africa are often unaware of the chemical differences between different acaricide brands and use these products at concentrations other than those recommended by the manufacturers, or in incorrect rotations or combinations of the different classes of chemicals on the market. There is an urgent need for a more evidence-based approach to acaricide usage in small-scale livestock systems in Africa, including direct measurements of resistance levels, combined with better education of farmers regarding acaricide products and how they should be deployed for control of livestock ticks.

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Resistance to all fourth-generation acaricides is widespread in cattle ticks and is a major problem in Africa.

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Acaricide resistance monitoring through the larval packet tests is mostly absent.

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The integration of ethnoveterinary products with synthetic acaricides is a promising strategy.

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Strengthening laboratory testing and farmersʼ education can lead to rational acaricide use.

Effect of injectable trace mineral at weaning on growth and physiology of Nellore calves under feed restriction

Calves are susceptible to a wide variety of stressors besides the seasoning low forage availability during their weaning phase. Thus, it is ideal if they receive adequate trace mineral supplementation during this period. This study evaluated the effect of injectable trace minerals (ITM) on performance, concentration of oxidative stress enzymes, and biochemical plasmatic parameters in Nellore calves during the weaning phase and under feed restriction. A total of 30 Nellore calves were used at the age of 7 ± 1 month and 176.23 ± 21.68 kg of initial body weight (BW). These animals were allocated in Urochloa decumbens pasture for 28 days and transferred to Urochloa brizantha cv Marandu pasture for another 28 days. The treatments were: Saline (saline solution; 0.9% NaCl) and ITM (Multimin®, providing: 15 mg Cu/mL, 60 mg Zn/mL, 10 mg Mn/mL, and 5 mg Se/mL). Both treatments were applied subcutaneously in the ratio of 1 mL/45 kg of BW. At the end of the experiment (d 56), animals were lighter than on d 0 in both treatments (P < 0.05). However, calves that received the ITM treatment presented lower body weight (P < 0.05) on d 56, compared to those in the control group. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed on the concentrations of oxidative stress enzymes. Moreover, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the plasmatic parameters; these were at normal range or slightly below the concentrations described for the species. We concluded that, in a feed restriction condition, the use of ITM in weaned calves did not improve performance, and the concentration of oxidative stress enzymes, and biochemistry variables. Therefore, we do not recommend using injectable trace minerals in the concentrations used in this study in animals under such stressful conditions.

The Antioxidant Properties of Selenium and Vitamin E; Their Role in Periparturient Dairy Cattle Health Regulation

Dairy cattle experience health risks during the periparturient period. The continuous overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the transition from late gestation to peak lactation leads to the development of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is usually considered the main contributor to several diseases such as retained placenta, fatty liver, ketosis, mastitis and metritis in periparturient dairy cattle. The oxidative stress is generally balanced by the naturally available antioxidant system in the body of dairy cattle. However, in some special conditions, such as the peripariparturient period, the natural antioxidant system of a body is not able to balance the ROS production. To cope with this situation, the antioxidants are supplied to the dairy cattle from external sources. Natural antioxidants such as selenium and vitamin E have been found to restore normal health by minimizing the harmful effects of excessive ROS production. The deficiencies of Se and vitamin E have been reported to be associated with various diseases in periparturient dairy cattle. Thus in the current review, we highlight the new insights into the Se and vitamin E supplementation as antioxidant agents in the health regulation of periparturient dairy cattle.

The effect of parenteral application of vitamin A, vitamin E, and β-carotene to pregnant cows on selected indices in their calves

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of parenteral application of vitamin preparations containing vitamins A, E, and β-carotene to pregnant cows (10–14 days before calving) on vitamin concentrations, haematological indices and the total antioxidant status (TAS) in their calves. Thirty cows were divided into 3 groups – control, the experimental group 1 (vitamins A, E), and experimental group 2 (β-carotene). Blood sampling in calves was performed immediately after birth, 2 h after receiving colostrum, 24 h after birth and 5–7 days after birth. The calves received the first 4 doses of colostrum from their mothers. The highest concentration of vitamin E was observed 5–7 days after birth in group 1 compared to the control (P < 0.05) and group 2 (P < 0.01). The concentration of β-carotene was the highest in group 2 (2 and 24 h after receiving colostrum) compared to group 1 (P < 0.01). The TAS was the highest in group 1 compared to the control (P < 0.05, P < 0.001) and group 2 (P < 0.01). A significant increase in haemoglobin (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and haematocrit (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) was recorded in group 1 and group 2, respectively, compared to the control, as well as in the red blood cell count (P < 0.05) in group 2 compared to the control. The highest total protein was observed in the control group in all samplings. Parenteral application of vitamins to pregnant cows most likely had an effect on the concentrations of vitamins, TAS and haematological indices in their calves.

Supplementation of antioxidant micronutrients reduces stress and improves immune function/response in periparturient dairy cows and their calves

BACKGROUND

Periparturient period induces stress in cows which fluctuates hormonal and metabolic function and causes immune suppression. Apart from impairing the health, production, and reproduction of cows, it also influences the well-being of newborn calves by decreasing the colostrum quality. Micronutrients are known for optimal health and production and their effects on parturition stress, immune response in both cow and its calf need to be explored.

AIM

The aim of this study was to see the effect of oral supplementation of micronutrients during the prepartum period on the health status of crossbred dairy cows and subsequently on their newborn calves.

METHODS

A total of 42 healthy multiparous cows were selected and randomly divided into five groups with seven cows in each group, i.e. control (Basal Diet, BD), VA group (BD + vitamin A, 10⁵ IU), Zn group (BD + zinc sulphate, 60 ppm), VE group (BD + vitamin E, 2500 IU), and combined supplementation (CS) group (BD + combination of VA, Zn, and VE). The supplements were offered in compounded concentrate DM (100 g) to individual cows once daily before the morning feeding and the remaining portion was incorporated in the TMR. Feeding was started one month before the expected days of calving till calving. Blood samples were collected from cows at days -15, -7, -3, 0, +3, +7, and +15 relative to the day of calving. Blood samples from newborn calves and milk samples of cows were collected at days 0, +3, +7, and +15. Milk somatic cell counts (SCC) were estimated using a cell counter. Cortisol was estimated by ELISA kit in blood and milk plasma of cows and in the blood plasma of their calves. Total immunoglobulins (Ig) were estimated in milk of cows and serum of calves using zinc sulphate turbidity method. Blood neutrophils from cows and calves were studied for phagocytic activity (PA) using nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) assay.Data were analysed by repeated-measures two-way ANOVA using the mixed procedure of SAS, and the pairwise comparison was performed using a multiple comparison test (Tukey).

RESULTS

Combined supplementation of micronutrients decreased (P < 0.05) maternal blood plasma (control vs. CS group, 5.98 ± 0.20 vs. 3.86 ± 0.23 ng/mL) and milk plasma (3.96 ± 0.13 vs. 2.71 ± 0.10 ng/mL) cortisol, milk SCC (3.05 ± 0.11 vs. 2.12 ± 0.10 × 10⁵ cells/mL) and increased (P < 0.05) total milk Ig concentration (18.80 ± 0.11 vs. 23.04 ± 0.57 mg/mL) and the PA of blood neutrophils (0.84 ± 0.03 vs. 1.07 ± 0.03). Similarly, lower blood cortisol concentration (9.69 ± 0.35 vs. 6.02 ± 0.18 ng/mL) and higher (P < 0.05) total Ig (23.26 ± 0.11 vs. 30.34 ± 0.70 mg/mL) and PA of blood neutrophils (0.37 ± 0.02 vs. 0.52 ± 0.02) were observed in the calves born to CS group of cows as compared to the control. Highest (P < 0.05) positive effects (lower stress levels and higher immune response) of treatment were noticed in CS group followed by VE group and then Zn group. However, VA group didn't differ from the control group.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that micronutrient interventions during the prepartum period can improve the health status of dairy calves and subsequently the well-being of their calves.

Effect of preshipment preconditioning and injectable antioxidant trace elements (Cu, Mn, Se, Zn) and vitamins (A, E) on plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations and growth in weaned beef cattle

Weaning and transport represent a high stress time for calves. Preconditioning (PC) by weaning before the transport separate these stressors. The stressors generate oxidative stress, which can be reduced by mineral and vitamin supplementation (MVS) with an antioxidant capacity. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of PC and MVS on performance of steers. The experiment used a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement design, considering a 26-d PC treatment from weaning to transport to the feedlot (day 0), and injectable MVS on days −45, −26, and 0. The MVS consisted of Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, vitamin E (0.2, 0.8, 0.2, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg body weight [BW], respectively), and vitamin A (1,190 IU/kg). Sixty Angus-crossbred steers (186.4 ± 27.6 kg) were randomly assigned to the four treatments (MVS+PC; N+PC; MVS+N; N+N; n = 15 per treatment). BW was recorded on days −45, −26, 0, 8, 15, and 29. On day 0, an additional BW was taken 30 min after the 5-h transportation (day 0.5). Between days 0 and 29, dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) to DMI ratio (G:F) were measured. Between days −26 and 29 plasma concentrations of glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), cortisol, insulin, total antioxidant status (TAS), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures, using treatment, time, and treatment × time as fixed effects and steer as a random effect. Between days −26 and 0, there was an interaction of MVS × PC (P ˂ 0.01) for ADG. From days −26 to 0, N+N and N+PC had the greatest and lesser ADG, respectively. On day 0.5, no-PC steers tended to lose BW, whereas the PC steers tended to gain BW (P = 0.09). In the period days 0 to 8, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.27) in DMI, but the PC steers had greater G:F and ADG (P < 0.01) compared with no-PC steers. Plasma NEFA concentration on day 0 was affected by MVS × PC (P < 0.01) because MVS decreased plasma NEFA concentration in no-PC steers, but it increased in the PC steers. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and cortisol did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.23). There was an MVS × PC interaction (P = 0.09) for TAS on day 0; N+N had the greatest TAS concentrations and MVS+N had the lowest TAS concentrations. In conclusion, a 26-d PC decreased steers BW compared with no-PC steers. The BW loss during PC was not recovered 29 d after feedlot entry. Despite this BW loss, MVS treatment decreased BW loss in the steers allocated to PC treatment on the day of transport.