Effects of clinoptilolite addition to colostrum on the concentration of serum proteins, minerals, enzyme activities in neonatal calves

Camelia Tulcan,Călin Mircu,Danijela Kirovski,Gabriel Otavă,Gheorghe Bonc,Mirela Ahmadi-Khoie,Simona Marc Zarcula

doi:10.24297/jac.v10i2.5495

Abstract

The objective of our research was to determine the effects of colostrum supplementation with clinoptilolite on concentrations of serum proteins, minerals and enzyme activities in newborn calves. Twenty newborn calves that were divided into control group (n=10) which received colostrum and experimental group (n=10) that received colostrum with 0.5% clinoptilolite added in the first three colostrum meals were studied. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein in vacutainer tubes from all calves prior to colostrum intake and after that, at 24 and 48 h after birth. Samples were analyzed for total protein, albumin, α1-globulin, α2-globulin, ß-globulin, γ-globulin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, gamma glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Clinoptilolite supplementation had significant effect (p<0.0006) on serum iron concentrations in experimental (27.64±3.78 µmol/l) vs control group (8.93±1.26 µmol/l) after 48h. GGT values were also significantly higher (p<0.04) in E (163.60±26.67 U/l) than in C group (84.01±19.77 U/l) at 48h after parturition. Other parameters analyzed were unaffected by clinoptilolite treatment. Obtained data revealed that colostrum supplemented with clinoptilolite had positive effects on some mineral parameters.

Highlights

Colostral period represents an important moment for the newborns; especially in ruminants
Due to many factors that affect the level of colostrum immunoglobulins absorbed, the incidence of passive immunity failure is still high in young ruminants, clinical seen in high incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality, with reducing the average daily gain and increased frequencies of treatments and economic costs [2, 6, 21]
The mean values of total protein, globulin fractions, mineral and enzymatic parameters in blood serum of calves at parturition and after birth at different intervals are shown in Table 1 and 2

Summary

Introduction

Colostral period represents an important moment for the newborns; especially in ruminants. In these species acquiring passive immunity is achieved exclusively through ingestion and absorption of adequate amounts of colostral immunoglobulins (Ig)[21]. Biological effects of zeolites make use of one or more of their properties, such as ion exchange capacity, adsorption and related molecular sieve [10, 11]. Due to their unique properties, zeolites are used in a wide range of biological processes where they have beneficial effects both in veterinary and human medicine [10, 11, 12]. Enhancement of passive immunity in newborn calves leads to other positive effects like reducing the incidence of diarrhea and higher average weight [17, 18]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion