3 Impacts of Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation to Beef Heifers During Gestation on Performance Measures of the Neonatal Calf, Trace Mineral Status, and Organ Weights at 30 Hours After Birth

Abstract

Abstract Objectives were to evaluate the effects of feeding a vitamin and mineral (VTM) supplement to beef heifers during gestation on calf performance, body measurements, trace mineral status, and organ weights at 30 h after birth. We hypothesized that VTM supplementation during gestation would improve mineral status in the neonatal calf but not impact calf performance parameters and body and organ weights at 30 hours after birth. Fourteen Angus-based heifers [initial body weight (BW)] = 273.7 ± 1.10 kg) were randomly assigned to receive either a basal diet (CON; n = 7) or a basal diet plus a VTM supplement (VTM; n = 7; 113 g•heifer-1•d-1, targeting gain of 0.45 kg/day) from 60 d pre-breeding through gestation. Immediately after parturition, blood samples were collected from dams and calves, then calves were separated from their dams. Calves were fed one feeding of colostrum replacer, followed by milk replacer every 12 h, then euthanized at 30 h. Body weight and measurements were recorded, then organs and viscera were removed, weighed, and sampled. Dam serum and neonatal serum, liver, and blood were analyzed for concentrations of minerals. Data were analyzed using the GLM Procedure of SAS with individual animal as the experimental unit. Dietary treatments did not impact calf weight (0 h or 30 h), calf body measurements, or body weight of the dam at calving (P ≥ 0.32). Further, neonatal organ weights were not influenced (P ≥ 0.21) by maternal VTM treatment. Concentrations of Se and Co in calf serum and Se in calf liver were increased (P ≤ 0.02) by VTM treatment; however, concentrations of Cu, Mn, Mo, and Zn in calf muscle, liver, and serum were not impacted (P ≥ 0.07) by VTM treatment. Concentrations of Co in serum of the dam was the only mineral affected by dietary treatments, being greater (P = 0.001) in VTM than CON dams. In the current experiment providing trace mineral supplementation throughout gestation did not impact calf weight or body measurements at birth. However, the implications of altered mineral status of the neonatal calves at birth, and presumably throughout gestation, may have additional postnatal effects that warrant further investigation.