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

Guillermo Alberto Mattioli,Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino,Diana Esther Rosa,Santiago José Raggio,Esteban Turic,Luis Emilio Fazzio,Sebastián Julio Picco

doi:10.3390/ani10081298

Guillermo Alberto Mattioli, Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081298

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Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the effects of injectable mineral and vitamin supplementation on weaning calves subjected to a low-stress (fence-line) weaning system. Seven-month-old Aberdeen Angus female calves (n = 40, 152 ± 11 kg body weight) from a selenium-deficient area of extensive cattle production on natural grass were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 20 each). One group received subcutaneous supplementation with copper, zinc, selenium, manganese and vitamins A and E (SG), and the other was given sterile saline solution (CG). The animals were supplemented twice, seven days before weaning (day -7) and on the day of weaning (day 0), and they were evaluated 30 (+30) and 60 (+60) days after weaning. Total antioxidant status (TAS), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, body weight, and average daily gain (ADG) were evaluated. Additionally, antibody titers were assessed prior to and after each immunization with a vaccine containing bovine herpes virus type 1 (BoHV-1). On day +30, body weight (p = 0.03) was higher in SG, whereas TAS (p = 0.02) and GPx (p = 0.0038) activity were lower in CG and remained constant in SG. Antibody titers increased in SG and CG following immunization, being higher in SG on days +30 and +60 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, parenteral supplementation of minerals and vitamins with antioxidant effects in a low-stress weaning system prevented the decrease in TAS and GPx activity, improved antibody response and had positive effects on body weight.

Highlights

Weaning is an important calf management system carried out in beef and dairy farms through different methods [1]
Parenteral supplementation of minerals and vitamins with antioxidant effects in a low-stress weaning system prevented the decrease in Total antioxidant status (TAS) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, improved antibody response and had positive effects on body weight
Calves are exposed to several stressful factors, which can lead to increases in disease susceptibility and reduced production, with decreases in body weight (BW) [2,3]

Summary

Introduction

Weaning is an important calf management system carried out in beef and dairy farms through different methods [1]. Calves are exposed to several stressful factors, which can lead to increases in disease susceptibility and reduced production, with decreases in body weight (BW) [2,3]. Weaning stress leads to a catabolic state in which oxygen reactive species are highly produced, posing a challenge for antioxidant defenses in calves [4]. In this context, any alteration in prooxidant/antioxidant balance causes oxidative stress and induces immune dysfunction [5], indirectly affecting growth [6]. One of the main antioxidant enzymes is glutathione peroxidase (GPx), whose activity depends on selenium (Se), and is used as an indicator of Se status in cattle [8,9]

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