Organic Trace Minerals Research Articles

Effect of Organically Complexed Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Zinc on Broiler Performance, Mineral Excretion, and Accumulation in Tissues

Supplementation of trace minerals with a large safety margin in broiler chickens has resulted in a high level of mineral excretion that ends up in the environment. Organically complexed trace minerals (organic minerals) may be able to replace the inorganic trace minerals, because the former appear to have a greater bioavailability. Therefore, a 29-d cage study that included diets with supplemental trace minerals from organic and inorganic sources based on a trace mineral deficient control diet was conducted to examine the possible response of broiler chickens to organic mineral supplements. The results showed that supplementation with 4 mg of Cu and 40 mg each of Fe, Mn, and Zn from organic sources may be sufficient for normal broiler growth to 29 d of age. It is possible to use these lower levels of organic trace minerals in broiler diets to avoid high levels of trace mineral excretion.

Determining the Methionine Activity of Mintrex Organic Trace Minerals in Broiler Chicks by Using Radiolabel Tracing or Growth Assay

Mintrex Zn, Mintrex Cu, and Mintrex Mn organic trace minerals contain 16% Zn, 15% Cu, and 13% Mn with 80, 78, and 76% 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMTBA) by weight as the organic ligand, respectively. Our objective was to determine if HMTBA from Mintrex was fully available as a Met source. In experiment 1, thirty-six broilers (7 to 10 d old) were orally gavaged with methyl-14 C-labeled HMTBA, either as free HMTBA (Alimet feed supplement) or Zn bis(-2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyrate) (Mintrex Zn). Radiolabel incorporation from either source into protein was measured as a marker of bioavailable Met activity. Results demonstrated that the HMTBA from Mintrex Zn was equally available as free HMTBA to support protein synthesis. In experiment 2, five hundred seventy-six 1-d-old broilers were allotted to 12 dietary treatments (TRT) for a 21-d growth assay. A TSAA-deficient diet containing 0.70% total TSAA (TRT 1) was supplemented with 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20% free HMTBA (TRT 2 to 5) to establish the standard Met response curve. Treatment 6 was analogous to TRT 2 but had an additional 160 ppm Zn, 80 ppm Cu, and 160 ppm Mn as sulfates. Treatments 7 to 12 were identical to TRT 2 but supplemented with 40 or 160 ppm Zn from Mintrex Zn, 20 or 80 ppm Cu from Mintrex Cu, or 40 or 160 ppm Mn from Mintrex Mn, respectively. For TRT 1 through 6, growth performance increased due to increasing Met addition (P < 0.01) but not to increasing inorganic trace minerals. For Mintrex Zn, Cu, and Mn (TRT 7 to 12), there was a linear increase in cumulative gain:feed ratio (P < 0.04), and for Mintrex Zn and Mn, there was a linear increase in cumulative gain (P < 0.03) to increasing Mintrex addition. A 1-slope broken-line model was used to calculate bioavailable Met activity from Mintrex for comparison with actual intake values. Results indicated that HMTBA from Mintrex was fully available as a Met source.

Effects of Trace Mineral Supplementation and Source, 30 Days Post-weaning and 28 Days Post Receiving, on Performance and Health of Feeder Cattle

Three hundred and seventy-five steers (approximately 7 mo of age and 239.0±10.4 kg) were utilized to determine the effects of trace mineral (TM) supplementation and source on performance during the on-farm backgrounding and feedlot receiving phases of beef cattle production. At their respective ranches, steers were stratified by body weight into six groups. Groups were then assigned to one of six pens and pens were randomly assigned to treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) control (no supplemental Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co), 2) inorganic trace mineral (CuSO 4 , ZnSO 4 , MnSO 4 , and CoCO 3 ), and 3) organic trace mineral (iso-amounts of organic Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co). Mineral treatments were fed in alfalfa pellets formulated to supply 360 mg of Zn, 200 mg of Mn, 125 mg of Cu, and 12.5 mg of Co per head per day from either organic or inorganic trace mineral sources. Control steers received alfalfa pellets with no additional Cu, Zn, Mn, or Co. Steers were allowed free access to harvested alfalfa-grass hay throughout the 30-d on-farm backgrounding phase. On day 30 post-weaning, steers were weighed and transported to the feedlot. Steers were blocked by treatment within ranch, stratified by initial body weight, and randomly assigned to one of 36 pens (9-12 head per pen; 12 pens per treatment). Steers remained on the same on-farm backgrounding trace mineral treatments, however, trace mineral treatments were included in the total mixed growing ration. Steers were fed a corn silage-based growing diet throughout the 28 d feedlot receiving period. There was no effect of TM supplementation on performance of steers during the on-farm backgrounding phase. By the end of the 28-d feedlot receiving phase, ADG was similar between control and trace mineral supplemented steers. Steers supplemented with organic TM had greater (p<0.05) ADG than steers supplemented with inorganic TM by the end of the 28-d feedlot receiving phase. Morbidity and mortality rates were similar across treatments.

Efeito da suplementação dietética com micro minerais orgânicos na produção de galinhas poedeiras

Um experimento foi realizado para avaliar os efeitos da suplementação dietética de fontes orgânicas de microminerais na produção de ovos de galinhas poedeiras. Foram utilizados 8 tratamentos: um com todos os minerais na forma inorgânica, um com todos na forma orgânica e mais 6 tratamentos com apenas um dos minerais na forma orgânica. Os minerais testados foram: zinco, manganês, iodo, selênio, cobre e ferro. As dietas experimentais foram à base de milho e farelo de soja. Foram utilizadas 672 aves da linhagem ISA Babcock B 300, o período de experimentação foi de 48 a 60 semanas de idade, e os parâmetros de desempenho produtivo avaliados foram: Consumo de ração, produção de ovos, massa de ovos e Conversão Alimentar. Os dados foram analisados em ciclos de postura de 28 dias. A adição dos diferentes minerais isolados ou em combinação, na forma orgânica ou inorgânica, aparentemente não resultou em melhora nas medidas de desempenho, pois à exceção do terceiro período de avaliação, quando obteve-se um menor índice de massa de ovos para o tratamento em que foi empregado o ferro orgânico (p&lt;0,05), não se detectou diferença significativa. Partindo-se da premissa de que as fontes orgânicas de minerais apresentam maior biodisponibilidade, o efeito de seu uso permanece controverso, pois os resultados do experimento sugerem que a suplementação com minerais orgânicos não altera o desempenho da produção de ovos de galinhas entre 48 e 60 semanas de idade, quando comparado com a suplementação inorgânica dos mesmos.

Effects of Organic Trace Mineral Supplementation on Sows' Reproductive and Neonates' Growth Performance through 2 wk Postweaning

A feeding trial using sows and their neonates was conducted to determine the effects of source and level of organic trace mineral supplementation on reproductive performance of sows and the subsequent performance of their neonates through 2 wk post weaning. A total of 16 gestating sows (Landrace×Yorkshire) in parities 2 to 4 were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments following a 2×2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. One of the two factors evaluated the effect of the source (inorganic vs organic), and the second factor evaluated the effect of the level (low vs high) of trace minerals added to the diet. The trace mineral premixes were formulated to provide a low concentration of trace minerals (50 ppm Fe/87.5 ppm Fe, 17.5 ppm Cu/85 ppm Cu, 45 ppm Zn/60 ppm Zn, and 20 ppm Mn/17.5 ppm Mn), and a high concentration of trace minerals (100 ppm Fe/175 ppm Fe, 35 ppm Cu/170 ppm Cu, 90 ppm Zn/120 ppm Zn, 40 ppm Mn/35 ppm Mn), when included at 0.20% in sows'/weaned pigs' diets, respectively. The total number born, total born alive and weaned, and the average neonate weight at birth were affected neither by the dietary source nor by the level of trace minerals (p>0.05), but an interaction effect (p<0.05) between the source and level of trace minerals was observed on the average weight at weaning. The neonates from sows fed the low level of organic trace minerals gained weight at an equal rate compared with those farrowed by sows fed the high level of inorganic trace minerals. Sows fed the organic trace minerals nursed their young with milk higher in Fe and Zn (p<0.05) compared with those fed diets with inorganic trace minerals. Consequently, the weaned pigs receiving the organic form of trace minerals tended to grow at a faster rate, consumed less feed and tended to utilize their feed more efficiently (p<0.10). It was further observed that the organic trace minerals significantly increased (p<0.05) Fe contents in the liver and serum, and Zn in the serum and bone. In conclusion, sows and neonates fed the organic minerals at low level showed similar performance compared with those fed the inorganic minerals at high level as specified in this study. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 9 : 1312-1318)

Influence of a Single Dose of Fe Dextran Administration with Organic Trace Mineral Supplementation on the Performance of Piglets

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of a single or double dose of Fe dextran with organic trace mineral supplementation on the performance of piglets from dams fed diets with either inorganic (ITM) or organic trace minerals (OTM). It also determined the effect of the source of the trace minerals on the reproductive performance of sows. The trace mineral premixes were prepared using metal proteinates and the corresponding inorganic salts for the OTM and the ITM, respectively. Each mineral premix provided 100 ppm Fe/175 ppm Fe, 35 ppm Cu/170 ppm Cu, 90 ppm Zn/120 ppm Zn, and 40 ppm Mn/35 ppm Mn when added at 0.20% in sows /weaned pigs' diets, respectively. The first dose of Fe dextran was administered to piglets at 3 d and the second dose at 10 d after birth. One dose of Fe dextran supplied 100 mg of Fe. A total of 16 gestating sows (Landrace×Yorkshire) in parities 2 to 4 were randomly allocated to four treatments: 1) diet with ITM/one dose of Fe dextran to piglets, 2) diet with ITM/two doses of Fe dextran to piglets, 3) diet with OTM/one dose of Fe dextran to piglets, and 4) diet with OTM/two doses of Fe dextran to piglets. The total born alive, weaned, body weight at birth and at weaning were not affected by the sow's dietary treatment. Although organic trace mineral supplementation tended to increase the milk Fe content (p<0.10) at 7 d postpartum, piglets in all treatments performed equally from birth to weaning. The double doses of Fe dextran neither improved the average daily gain (ADG) nor influenced the survival of piglets from birth to weaning (21 d). Results suggest that a single dose of Fe dextran given to suckling pigs is adequate to sustain their needs for growth throughout the lactation period (21 d). Furthermore, there was a 21% improvement in both the ADG and the average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05) in weaned pigs fed diets with OTM. Cu and Fe in the liver (p<0.01), and Zn in both the bone (p<0.01) and the serum (p<0.01) were higher in piglets fed OTM than in those fed ITM. It would be concluded that single dose of Fe dextran administration with organic trace mineral supplementation show similar growth performance compared to 2 dose Fe dextran administration with inorganic mineral supplementation in young pigs. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 10 : 1469-1474)

A Review on the Applications of Organic Trace Minerals in Pig Nutrition

The purpose of this review is to provide an update on recent informations regarding application of organic trace minerals in pig nutrition. Understanding the efficacy of organic trace minerals has been increasingly important over the past few years as a result of increased customer awareness of their benefits and the increase in the number of commercial products available to the consumer. Organically bound trace minerals of interests in pig nutrition specifically include iron, copper, zinc, chromium and selenium. Organic iron, chromium and selenium have been shown to improve reproductive efficiency as measured by increased farrowing rate, reduced mortality, larger litter size and increased litter weight at birth and at weaning. Additional benefits derived from organic chromium supplementation include improved carcass quality and increased nitrogen retention. Reviews presented reveal no consistent effect of organic copper and zinc on growth performance but could provide the needs of pigs at lower inclusion rate without compromising performance of animals while maintaining serum concentration, and substantially reducing fecal excretions of these elements.

Effect of feeding a combination of zinc, manganese and copper amino acid complexes, and cobalt glucoheptonate on performance of early lactation high producing dairy cows

This study determined the effect of feeding a combination of zinc amino acid (AA), manganese AA and copper AA complexes, and cobalt glucoheptonate on productive and reproductive performance of early lactation high producing dairy cows. The product used as a source of the organic trace mineral complexes was Availa4 ® (Zinpro Corp., Eden Prairie, MN). Forty pregnant Holstein cows were blocked and randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments at calving. After 48±30 days, cows were moved from the fresh groups to the high production groups within their treatment assignments. Cows were housed in a free-stall barn and group-fed total mixed rations (TMR) containing inorganic minerals (control) or inorganic minerals and Availa4 ® (Availa4) for 80 days, or until first breeding service. The TMR were formulated to exceed NRC (1988) trace mineral requirements for lactating dairy cows. The Availa4 TMR was formulated to supply each cow with 7 g per day of Availa4 ® by partially substituting the inorganic minerals in the concentrate mix of the control TMR. Each 7 g of Availa4 ® supplied 360 mg of zinc, 200 mg of manganese, 125 mg of copper, and 12 mg of cobalt. Cows fed the Availa4 TMR tended to have fewer days to first service ( P=0.071), fewer services per conception ( P=0.069), and fewer days to conception ( P=0.012) as compared to cows fed with the control TMR. Feeding a combination of zinc AA, manganese AA and copper AA complexes, and cobalt glucoheptonate to early lactation Holstein cows improved conception rate with fewer days in milk to pregnancy but had no effect on milk production, milk fat and protein content, linear somatic cell count, animal body condition score, or lameness score.

Trace Mineral Supplementation in the Presence of Antagonists on Growth Performance, Health, and Carcass Characteristics of Transport-Stressed Calves

Crossbred steer calves (n = 64) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to evaluate two levels of organic trace minerals and two levels of inorganic trace minerals. Calves were fed 28 d on the ranch in two pens of eight head per treatment before a simulated transport stress. After being loaded, hauled 129 km, unloaded with an overnight stand without feed and water, and reloaded, they were shipped to the Colorado State University (CSU) research feedyard in Fort Collins and placed in 64 individual pens. Calves fed the organic low level and inorganic high level trace minerals gained better (P<0.05) the first 28 d than did calves fed the organic high level or inorganic low level trace minerals. Overall growth performance was not influenced by trace mineral types or levels. Longissimus area was greater (P<0.05) for calves fed the low level organic trace minerals compared with that for calves fed the low level inorganic trace minerals. Eosinophils (d 28) were higher (P<0.05) for calves fed the organic high level trace minerals compared with calves fed inorganic low level trace minerals. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and parainfluenza (PI3) titers were not influenced by trace minerals. Red blood cells and packed cell volume were higher (P<0.05) for calves fed low level trace minerals regardless of trace mineral type. Liver Co was increased (P<0.05) at the 28-d sampling when inorganic trace minerals were fed. Liver Co was highest (P<0.05) at the 168- d sampling for calves fed low level inorganic trace minerals followed by calves fed organic high level trace minerals. Liver Fe was lower (P<0.05) in calves at the d-168 sampling when organic trace minerals were fed. Liver Zn was elevated (P<0.05) by d 28 by feeding the inorganic low level trace minerals, and by d-168, liver Zn was higher (P<0.05) for calves fed the low levels of trace minerals. Initial growth performance was maintained by either supplementing organic trace minerals or elevating dietary inorganic trace minerals when confronted with high dietary Fe, S, or Mo.

Effects of Trace Mineral Supplementation on Cow-Calf Performance, Reproduction, and Immune Function

<h2>Abstract</h2> Three-hundred Angus cows were used in a randomized design to evaluate trace mineral supplementation over a 209-d trial on cow and calf performance, liver trace mineral content, and immune function. Treatments included the following supplemental trace minerals: 1) inorganic trace minerals—low level; 2) inorganic trace minerals—high level; and 3) organic trace minerals—high level. Cows fed the high level of inorganic trace minerals lost more weight (P<0.05) than cows fed the other treatments. Cow condition score was not affected by treatment. Calf average daily gain on the organic high level of trace minerals was higher (P<0.05) from birth to May 13 and May 13 to September 24 compared with the other treatments. Pregnancy rate to artificial insemination was higher (P<0.05) when cows were fed the organic high level of trace minerals compared with the other treatments. Trace mineral supplementation had an equivocal impact on liver trace minerals over time. Cell-mediated immune function was not affected by type or level of trace mineral supplementation.

Effect of Pre- and Post-Shipment Trace Mineral Type and Level on Subsequent Feedyard Performance and Immune Function

Sixty-nine Angus steers were used in a randomized block design to evaluate three treatments 28 d prior to and through 56 d post-shipment. Treatments included 1) control: low level of supplemental trace minerals; 2) inorganic: supplemental trace minerals from Zn sulfate, Mn sulfate, Cu sulfate, and Co carbonate at isomineral levels to treatment 3; and 3) organic: supplemental trace minerals were provided by Zn, Cu, and Mn amino acid complexes. The Zn, Cu, Mn, and Co dietary levels were below 1996 NRC requirements for treatment 1 and exceeded those levels for treatments 2 and 3. Feeding organic trace minerals tended to improve feed efficiency pre-shipment while on the ranch. Post-shipment feed intake and average daily gain were not affected by treatment. However, feeding the high level of inorganic trace minerals improved (P<0.05) feed conversion while in the feedyard compared to the low level of supplemented trace minerals. The organic complex of trace minerals increased (P<0.05) liver Co and Cu and maintained liver Zn over the 84-d ranch and feedyard trial. Liver Cu was also increased by feeding the high level of inorganic and organic Cu compared to controls. Liver Zn was reduced (P<0.05) in steers fed the inorganic and control treatments compared to the steers fed organic supplements. The IBR titers tended to be higher (P>0.05) with higher levels of supplemental trace minerals.

Pregnancy attrition from frozen bovine embryos cloned by nuclear transplantation

Pregnant cows were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of trace mineral (TM) source and breed to investigate the effect of prenatal and lactating TM source on colostrum and milk quality, calf serum Ig concentrations, and calf weaning BW. Angus (n = 99) and Brangus (n = 100) cows were blocked by BW, BCS, age, and stage of pregnancy (88 ± 2 d before calving) to receive either (1) inorganic minerals (ING, n = 100) with Na selenite and Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn in salt sulfate forms, or (2) organic minerals (ORG, n = 99) with Se-yeast and Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn complexed as proteinates. The TM sources were formulated to meet NRC requirements and delivered based on the manufacturer recommendations. Colostrum and milk components were not affected (P > 0.05) by TM source. Colostrum from ORG cows had greater (P < 0.001) Se and tended to have greater (P = 0.07) IgM concentrations. The ORG calves had greater (P < 0.05) serum IgA at 12 and 24 h and greater IgG 30 d after colostrum consumption than ING calves. Birth weight did not differ (P > 0.05) by TM source; however, weaning BW, ADG, and adjusted 205-d BW were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in ORG compared with ING calves. Organic TM source provided during the last trimester of pregnancy and during lactation increased cow colostrum Ig concentrations and calf absorption of IgA and IgG. Postnatal growth was improved in calves born to dams that were supplemented with organic trace minerals.

Organic trace minerals in ruminant nutrition

This paper defines the various types (complexes, amino acid chelates and proteinates) of organic trace minerals commercially available and reviews research regarding their bioavailability and effects on physiological responses in ruminants. The addition of one or more organic trace minerals to cattle diets has increased growth, milk production, reproduction and/or immune response in some studies. It is not possible to determine from some of the studies if the responses observed were due to the organic mineral(s) per se or simply to increased dietary mineral intake. Zinc methionine has been studied to the greatest extent of any of the chelated or metal complex products available. The mode of action of trace mineral chelates or complexes is largely unknown. Based on apparent absorption or tissue and blood concentrations, little evidence is available to suggest that organic trace minerals are considerably better absorbed than inorganic forms. In explaining the beneficial responses to certain organic trace minerals, the quantity of mineral absorbed may not be as important as the form of the mineral absorbed. Further studies with organic trace minerals are needed to better define conditions where performance or health responses may be expected and to determine the mode of action whereby organic trace mineral supplements improve ruminant performance.