Trace Minerals Research Articles

The Effect of Chitosan and Chitosan Oligosaccharide on Serum Mineral and Vitamin Levels in Rats with Experimental Fluorosis

Fluorine toxicity occurs in different parts of the world. It is caused by the increase in the fluorine level in the waters, especially due to the dissolution of volcanic rocks over time. Water with high fluorine content can be taken with plant and animal irrigations, and foods obtained from plants and animals, or it can be taken directly with drinking water. In this study, the effects of chitosan (CS) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on some serum trace minerals and vitamin levels in experimental fluorosis rats were investigated. Six groups were formed as control, fluorosis, fluorosis CS and COS groups, healthy CS and COS groups. CS and COS were administered orally for 28 days at a dose of 250 mg/kg. At the end of the study, ketamine anesthesia was administered and the heart was directly cannulated. Trace minerals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Se) and vitamins (retinol, α-tocopherol, D3) were analyzed. Cu, Zn, Se and Mn levels were found to be decreased in the F group compared to the control group. A significant increase was found in the Zn level in the F+CS group and in the Cu, Zn and Se levels in the F+CS group compared to the values in the F group. Serum retinol and α -tocopherol levels were decreased in the F, F+CS, F+COS and CS groups. In conclusion, our findings showed that there was a decrease in serum Zn, Cu, Se, retinol and α-tocopherol levels in rats with fluorosis, and COS was more effective than CS against the decrease in mineral and vitamin levels.

Regional and Seasonal Variability of Mineral Patterns in Some Organs of Slaughtered One-Humped Camels [Camelus dromedarius] from Saudi Arabia

Camel products are receiving great interest worldwide because of their high functional properties and nutritive values. Therefore, this study was focused on the variation of copper [Cu], zinc [Zn], manganese [Mn], selenium [Se], iron [Fe], iodine [I], and some heavy metals, cobalt [Co], lead [Pb], and cadmium [Cd], in the blood and tissues of slaughtered camels from five regions in Saudi Arabia [SA] during the summer and winter seasons, because environmental factors vary from region to region. Whole blood, meat, liver, rumen fluid, and rumen tissues were collected from the slaughterhouse in each region during the two seasons. Moreover, samples were prepared and analyzed for trace mineral and heavy metal concentrations using ICP-MS. The data were statistically analyzed as part of a complete randomized design and correlation analysis for season and location using SAS. The findings revealed a pattern in the minerals, with Ca being the only mineral that was unrelated to other minerals in the liver. For lead and cadmium, our mean value in liver [0.40 µg/g] was below the limit of the EU standard for cadmium [0.50 µg/g], while in meat and liver, lead contents [1.62 µg/g and 2.57 µg/g, respectively] were above the limit of the EU standard [0.10 and 0.20 µg/g, respectively]. For meat, the significantly highest positive correlations were observed between P and Mg [R2 = 0.928], Fe and Mn [R2 = 0.860], and Co and Mn [R2 = 0.821]. For rumen tissues, P and Mg were highly correlated [R2 = 0.958] as well as Zn and Mg [R2 = 0.857], Zn and P [R2 = 0.836], and Fe and Ca [R2 = 0.802]. As a result, a region and season reflect variations in mineral concentrations in SA during the summer and winter seasons. Further intensive research is needed to investigate the minerals' biological mechanisms in camels under different environmental conditions.

A compilation of the silt and clay mineralogy from coastal and shelf regions of the Arctic Ocean

A compilation of the clay and non-clay mineral distribution within the Arctic Ocean periphery is presented along with new data for the purpose of filling in mineral distribution gaps for the North American Region. Additionally, this compilation provides a better understanding the role of various minerals in provenance studies. Minerals such as dolomite and smectite are reconfirmed as useful provenance indicators. Trace minerals, such as pyrophyllite, tridymite, and zeolites are identified as potentially valuable provenance indicators. Other minerals are less reliable than previously thought. For example, kaolinite and smectite are found in the Canadian Arctic and confuses their use as provenance indicators for Russian shelves. For smectite, mineral phase speciation such as calcic verses iron-rich smectite is considered as a method of distinguishing Canadian versus Russian sources. The ubiquitous nature of mineral distribution within the Arctic underlines the difficulty of using such variables for provenance determination and further underscores the importance of using combinations of potential source minerals and other provenance methods such as Fe-Oxide fingerprinting.

Effect of methionine and trace minerals (zinc, copper and manganese) supplementation on growth performance of broilers subjected to Eimeria challenge.

Coccidiosis is a major intestinal challenge that causes economic loss to the broiler industry. Two battery cage studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of trace minerals, source and dose of methionine on growth performance and gut health of broilers subjected to Eimeria challenge. Experiment #1 consisted of 9 treatments of 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design + 1 arrangement with main factors of methionine (Met) sources (DL-Met vs. 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (HMTBa)), total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) levels (high vs. low; ±5% of recommended level), and sources of trace minerals (TM) Zn:Cu:Mn in the form Inorganic trace minerals (ITM) in sulfates (80:20:100ppm) vs. mineral methionine hydroxy-analogue bis-chelate (MMHAC, 40:10:50ppm), each with 8 pens of 10 birds. Experiment #2 consisted of 2 treatments--ITM [ZnSO4:tribasic copper chloride (TBCC):MnSO4 110:125:120ppm] and MMHAC (Zn:Cu:Mn, 40:30:40ppm), each with 36 pens of 10 birds. All birds except for treatment 9 in experiment #1 were orally gavaged with 1x, 4x and 16x recommended dose of coccidiosis vaccine on d0, d7 and d14, respectively. Data were subjected to one-way and/or three-way ANOVA, and means were separated by Fisher's protected LSD test with significance at p ≤ 0.05. In experiment #1, factorial analysis revealed the main effects of TSAA level and TM, but not Met source. High TSAA level improved body weight and cumulative feed intake at 14, 20, and 27d. MMHAC improved body weight at 14, and 27d; feed intake at 14, 20, and 27d; and cumulative FCR at 27d vs. sulfates. One-way ANOVA analysis showed that birds fed MMHAC and high levels of TSAA regardless of Met source had similar body weight as unchallenged birds on d27. In experiment #2, MMHAC improved body weight and cumulative FCR, and reduced jejunal IL-17A gene expression on d28. In summary, in broilers subjected to Eimeria challenge, supplementation of the reduced levels of bis-chelated trace minerals MMHAC improved growth performance compared to high levels of ITM (sulfates or TBCC), which might partially result from better immune response, high levels of TSAA improved growth performance, Met source had no effect. Supplementation of both bis-chelated trace minerals MMHAC and high levels of TSAA could overcome the growth performance challenge issue due to coccidiosis.

The Impacts of Iron Overload and Ferroptosis on Intestinal Mucosal Homeostasis and Inflammation.

Intestinal homeostasis is maintained through the interplay of the intestinal mucosa, local and systemic immune factors, and the microbial content of the gut. Iron is a trace mineral in most organisms, including humans, which is essential for growth, systemic metabolism and immune response. Paradoxically, excessive iron intake and/or high iron status can be detrimental to iron metabolism in the intestine and lead to iron overload and ferroptosis-programmed cell death mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation within cell membranes, which contributes to several intestinal diseases. In this review, we comprehensively review recent findings on the impacts of iron overload and ferroptosis on intestinal mucosal homeostasis and inflammation and then present the progress of iron overload and ferroptosis-targeting therapy in intestinal diseases. Understanding the involved mechanisms can provide a new understanding of intestinal disease pathogenesis and facilitate advanced preventive and therapeutic strategies for intestinal dysfunction and diseases.

Mineralogical, magnetic and geochemical data constrain the pathways and extent of weathering of mineralized sedimentary rocks

The oxidative weathering of sulfidic rock can profoundly impact watersheds through the resulting export of acidity and metals. Weathering leaves a record of mineral transformation, particularly involving minor redox-sensitive phases, that can inform the development of conceptual and quantitative models. In sulfidic sedimentary rocks, however, variations in depositional history, diagenesis and mineralization can change or overprint the distributions of these trace minerals, complicating the interpretation of weathering signatures. Here we show that a combination of bulk mineralogical and geochemical techniques, micrometer-resolution X-ray fluorescence microprobe analysis and rock magnetic measurements, applied to drill core samples and single weathered fractures, can provide data that enable the development of a geochemically consistent weathering model.This work focused on one watershed in the Upper Colorado River Basin sitting within the Mesaverde Formation, a sedimentary sandstone bedrock with disseminated sulfide minerals, including pyrite and sphalerite, that were introduced during diagenesis and subsequent magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization. Combined analytical methods revealed the pathways of iron (Fe), carbonate and silicate mineral weathering and showed how pH controls element retention or release from the actively weathering fractured sandstone. Drill core logging, whole rock X-ray diffraction, and geochemical measurements document the progression from unweathered rock at depth to weathered rock at the surface. X-ray microprobe analyses of a 1-cm size weathering profile along a fracture surface are consistent with the mobilization of Fe(II) and Fe(III) into acidic pore water from the dissolution of primary pyrite, Fe-sphalerite, chlorite, and minor siderite and pyrrhotite. These reactions are followed by the precipitation of secondary minerals such as of goethite and jarosite, a Fe-(oxyhydr)oxide and hydrous Fe(III) sulfate, respectively. Microscale analyses also helped explain the weathering reactions responsible for the mineralogical transformations observed in the top and most weathered section of the drill core. For example, dissolution of feldspar and chlorite neutralizes the acidity generated by Fe and sulfide mineral oxidation, oversaturating the solution in both Fe-oxides. The combination of X-ray spectromicroscopy and magnetic measurements show that the Fe(III) product is goethite, mainly present either as a coatings on fracture surfaces in the actively weathering region of the core or more homogeneously contained within the unconsolidated regolith at the top of the core. Low-temperature magnetic data reveal the presence of ferromagnetic Fe-sulfide pyrrhotite that, although it occurs at trace concentrations, could provide a qualitative proxy for unweathered sulfide minerals because the loss of pyrrhotite is associated with the onset of oxidative weathering. Pyrrhotite loss and goethite formation are detectable through room-temperature magnetic coercivity changes, suggesting that rock magnetic measurements can determine weathering intensity in rock samples at many scales. This work contributes evidence that the weathering of sulfidic sedimentary rocks follows a geochemical pattern in which the abundance of sulfide minerals controls the generation of acidity and dissolved elements, and the pH-dependent mobility of these elements controls their export to the ground- and surface-water.

Dietary selenium levels modulates antioxidant, cytokine and immune response and selenoproteins mRNA expression in rats under heat stress condition

BackgroundHigher environmental temperature is a major abiotic stress factor for animals and human beings. The selenium (Se) is an important trace mineral having diverse health promoting effects under stress conditions. However, studies on dietary requirement of selenium under prolonged heat stress condition are lacking. Present study discern the effect of higher dietary Se levels on antioxidant, cytokine, haemato-biochemical profile, and immune response, and the selenoproteins mRNA expression in rats under prolonged heat stress (HS) condition. MethodsWeaned Wistar rats (4 wk age; 67.6 ± 1.53 g BW; n = 72) housed under thermoneutral (TN) or HS conditions and fed with purified diets containing three graded Se levels were divided in six experimental groups. The groups were 1) TN control with 138 ppb Se (TN_CON), 2) HS control with 138 ppb Se (HS_CON), 3) TN with higher Se @ 291 ppb (TN_Se1), 4) HS with higher Se @ 291 ppb (HS_Se1) 5) TN with higher Se @ 460 ppb (TN_Se2), 6) HS with higher Se @ 460 ppb (HS_Se2). Rats in all the six groups were maintained in TN environmental conditions (57.3 ± 0.22 temperature humidity index; THI) for initial 28 days period. Subsequently, rats of HS groups were exposed to 77.0 ± 0.11 THI for 6 h/d in a psychrometric chamber for last fourteen days. ResultsHigher dietary Se (291 and 460 ppb) significantly improved the blood hemoglobin concentration and reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activity of rats under HS conditions. The serum triiodothyronine and insulin levels were significantly higher in high dietary Se groups irrespective of the environmental conditions. Similarly, the serum reduced glutathione levels, and catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were increased and malondialdehyde levels were reduced in high dietary Se groups irrespective of stress conditions. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly higher in 460 ppb dietary Se groups as compared to other groups. The serum pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)− 1 was declined, whereas the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level was increased in high dietary Se fed rats under both HS and TN conditions with 460 ppb dietary Se groups showing pronounced effects. Further, there was heat stress- and dietary Se level dependent- up regulation in hepatic GPx and iodothyronine deiodinase-II mRNA expression and similar pattern was noticed in hepatic thioredoxin reductase mRNA expression. The selenoprotein-P mRNA expression was up regulated in 460 ppb Se fed HS group as compared to CON and Se1_C groups. High dietary Se improved the humoral immune response 7d after antigen inoculation under HS conditions whereas cell-mediated immune response was augmented in rats fed higher Se under TN condition. ConclusionIt is concluded that under prolonged heat stress conditions the dietary requirement of Se may be increased to 460 ppb for improving the antioxidant status and humoral immune response, cytokine levels, modulating the thyroid and insulin hormone, and the selenoproteins mRNA expression of rats.

Serum Selenium and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) Trial: Nested Case-Control Study.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral with potential interest for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention owing to its antioxidant properties. Epidemiological data on selenium status and CVD remain inconsistent. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether low serum selenium (SSe) concentrations are related to an increased risk of a first CVD event in a population at high cardiovascular risk. We undertook a case-control study nested within the "PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea" (PREDIMED) trial. A total of 207 participants diagnosed with CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death) during the follow-up period (2003-2010) were matched by sex, age, and intervention group to 436 controls by incidence density sampling. Median time between serum sample collection and subsequent CVD event occurrence was 0.94 years. SSe levels were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis. Covariates were assessed through validated questionnaires, in-person interviews, and medical record reviews. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Among women, the mean SSe concentration was lower in cases than in controls (98.5 μg/L vs. 103.8 μg/L; p = 0.016). In controls, SSe levels were directly associated with percentage of total energy intake from proteins and fish intake (p for linear trend < 0.001 and 0.049, respectively), whereas SSe concentrations were inversely associated with age, body mass index, and percentage of total energy intake from carbohydrates (p for linear trend < 0.001, 0.008 and 0.016 respectively). In the total group, we observed an inverse dose-response gradient between SSe levels and risk of CVD in the fully-adjusted model (highest vs. lowest quartile: OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.81; ptrend = 0.003). Among elderly individuals at high cardiovascular risk, high SSe concentrations within population reference values are associated with lower first CVD incidence.

Trace minerals source in calf starters interacts with birth weights to affect growth performance

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of partial replacement of inorganic minerals (IM) with trace minerals in advance chelate components form in starter diets for calves of different birth weights on performance, health, and behavior of Holstein calves. Fifty-two calves were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two mineral sources (IM or advanced chelated minerals (ACMS)) and two birth weights (low or normal birth weight; LBW or NBW). Calves were weaned on d 56 and remained until d 71 of the study. Results showed that NBW calves had higher feed intake, withers and hip height, larger heart girth and lower fecal score than LBW calves throughout the study. Calves receiving ACMS tended to have higher feed intake, larger hip width, lower eye and nose scores, and lower rectal temperature throughout the study than IM calves. In addition, ACMS calves had larger abdominal girths at d 56 of the study compared to IM calves. Interactions between birth weights and mineral sources for preweaning average daily gain (ADG) and weaning and final BW showed that ACMS supplementation improved ADG and BW in LBW calves. Non-nutritive oral behavior was lower in ACMS calves compared to IM calves during all periods. Overall, ACMS feeding decreased non-nutritive oral behavior and improved calf health status during the study. In addition, feeding ACMS to dairy calves with LBW increased their ADG to a similar extent as to NBW calves, suggesting an improvement in their efficiency.

Electrical discharge machining as a surface treatment process for improving the performance of microbial fuel cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which generate low-pollution power through feeding organic trace minerals to bacteria, are crucial for applications involving energy recovery and environmental protection. In MFCs, electrodes critically influence the electrocatalytic process. In this study, an electrical-discharge-machining (EDM)-based surface treatment method for MFC electrodes was applied to a stainless-steel mesh (SSM), which was selected as an anode substrate. The experimental results indicated that EDM surface treatment formed a recast layer on the SSM anode surface. A few defects such as cracks and notches were observed after EDM surface treatment, which increased the surface and surface roughness of the SSM anode. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed EDM treatment, an Escherichia coli (HB101)-based single-chamber MFC system was fabricated, and the electrochemical activity of the EDM-treated anode was investigated through electrochemical analysis. The maximum power density of the MFCs equipped with the untreated SSM anode and the EDM-treated SSM anode under a pulse current of 1.5 A were 101.37 and 205.94 mW m−2, respectively. Thus, EDM surface treatment increased the power generated by the MFC by a factor of approximately 2. The proposed novel EDM surface treatment, therefore, has potential for development as a standard processing procedure for metal electrode substrates.

Bimodal distribution of amphibole-melt apparent dihedral angles in the product of the early crystallization of hydrous basaltic melts

• Amp-Melt-Amp apparent dihedral angle distribution shows bimodality. • Bimodality becomes obvious after annealing for more than 1 h at 0.6 GPa and 970 °C. • Median-standard deviation evolution obeys no longer a unidirectional change. • The high anisotropy of amphibole is the main cause of the bimodality. The dihedral angle of mineral-melt is a very important parameter for further understanding the textural evolution of magma crystallization. In this study, we have investigated the amphibole-melt dihedral angle distribution of four previous experimental samples at 0.6 GPa and 970 °C with annealing time of 1 h, 10 h, 60 h, and 100 h, as well as two additional experiments with annealing time of 5 h and 30 h. In this experiment, we have achieved the assemblage of amphibole + granodioritic melt ± traces of other minerals in the process of melt crystallization under the above experimental conditions. The apparent dihedral angles of amphibole-melt of the experimental products were obtained by randomly measuring the dihedral angles in the backscattered images. The results indicate that the apparent dihedral angle presents a gradually obvious bimodal distribution with the increasing annealing time. The high anisotropy of amphibole is believed to be the main cause of the bimodal characteristics of the apparent dihedral angle distribution. Consequently, two Gauss functions are used to fit one distribution. As the annealing time increases, the median-standard deviation relationships of the apparent dihedral angle for these two Gauss functions show great differences. Therefore, our experiments proved that in the amphibole-melt system, the median-standard deviation with the growth of textural equilibrium in the early crystallization is no longer a unidirectional change. Furthermore, combining the results of this study and the previous work, whether the dihedral angle distribution in the early crystallization is unimodal or bimodal may have great relationship with the anisotropy of minerals.

Scientific study of the pigments and binders used in mural painting from the 16th‐century ce St Mary's Church of Cheriapally, Kottyam, Kerala, and its relevance to conservation

AbstractThe aim of this investigation was to analyze the materials and techniques of the paintings in the 16th‐century ce St Mary's Church, to evaluate deterioration of the paintings, and to propose a suitable conservation treatment for their preservation. The material analysis of ground, pigments, binders, and plasters was undertaken using binocular microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in reflectance (KBr) and transmittance mode (attenuated total reflection), thin‐film X‐ray diffraction, and micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) was used for identifying proteinaceous and lipidic materials extracted from the micro‐samples. The study generated data on two different red and green pigments used as decorative materials. The red pigments were identified as cinnabar along with traces of hematite and clay minerals, and green as malachite and the minor presence of other minerals. SEM analysis identified cotton fiber embedded in the coarse plaster layer that provided better strength to the plaster. Plant oils and proteins found as the binder in the pigment samples suggested that the painting technique was executed as tempera. Lead white and gypsum materials were used in previous restoration works.

13 Supplemental Trace Minerals as Amino Acid Complexed or Inorganic Sources for Beef Cattle During the Receiving Period

Abstract To investigate the effects of inorganic or amino acid-complexed sources of trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, and cobalt) on performance and morbidity of beef heifers during the receiving period, crossbred beef heifer calves (n = 287, initial body weight = 231 kg) arriving on 3 delivery dates were used in a 42-day receiving trial. Heifers were processed after arrival and stratified by day -1 body weights and allocated randomly to 8 pens (11 to 13 heifers/pen; total of 24 pens). Within truckload, pens were assigned randomly to dietary treatment (12 pens/treatment). Calves were housed on 0.42-ha grass paddocks, provided ad libitum access to bermudagrass hay and water, and fed grain supplements that served as the carriers of the dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of supplemental zinc (360 mg/d), copper (125 mg/d), manganese (200 mg/d), and cobalt (12 mg/d) from complexed (Availa 4, Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN) or inorganic sources (sulfates). Cattle were observed daily for clinical bovine respiratory disease (BRD). If presenting symptoms of BRD and if rectal temperature was ≥ 40°C, cattle were deemed morbid and treated with an antibiotic according to a standard preplanned protocol. Six heifers/pen were bled to determine serum haptoglobin concentrations on days 0, 14, and 28. Statistical analyses were performed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS 9.4 with truckload as a random effect and pen within truckload specified as subject. There tended to be a treatment by day interaction for body weights (P = 0.07). Body weights did not differ on day 0 (P = 0.82) and day 14 (P = 0.36), but heifers supplemented with complexed trace mineral sources had greater body weights on day 28 (P = 0.04) and day 42 (P = 0.05; 264 vs. 260 kg, SE = 1.8). Overall average daily gains were greater for heifers supplemented with the complexed trace mineral sources (P = 0.05; 0.78 vs. 0.70 kg, SE = 0.03). Cattle supplemented with inorganic trace mineral sources had greater BRD morbidity incidence than cattle supplemented with complexed trace mineral sources (P = 0.03; 58 vs. 46%, SE = 3.6). Medication costs were lower for heifers supplemented with complexed trace mineral sources (P = 0.05; $11.01 vs. $14.90, SE = 1.33). Haptoglobin concentrations decreased throughout the trial (day, P < 0.001), and cattle supplemented with complexed trace mineral sources tended to have lower haptoglobin concentrations (P = 0.07). In conclusion, supplementing cattle for the first 42 days after arrival with amino acid complexed trace mineral sources improved heifer performance as compared to heifers supplemented with inorganic trace minerals.

PSII-1 An Evaluation of a Nutrient Drench Administered to Calves at Arrival into the Feedlot on Subsequent Health Status and Assessment of Immune Status with a Rapid Immunity Test

Abstract A functionally effective immune system is required to maintain health and resist disease challenges for cattle received into the feedlot. Transport is a primary stressor that can decrease trace mineral status and impair immune function. The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate a trace mineral drench providing key supplemental trace minerals (Cu, Mn, Se and Zn) administered to cattle at arrival into the feedlot on subsequent health and morbidity and 2) application of a novel technology for assessing immune status in stressed calves at risk for respiratory disease (BRD). From October through December 2021, 20 loads of Angus x Holstein heifers (n=1,988; 218± 2.7 kg) were transported from a calf rearing facility in northwest OH to a commercial feedlot in southwest NE. At initial processing, calves were individually identified and weighed and were administered a common processing protocol. Based on individual ear tag number heifers were either provided no drench (even-numbered tags; CONTROL) or 45 mL of a supplemental nutrient drench (odd-numbered tags; Profusion™, Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN). Across 10 loads blood samples were collected from approximately 300 animals for subsequent measurement of humoral immunity status (D2Dx™; Nano Discovery Inc., Orlando, FL). Subsequent morbidity was monitored throughout the weeks following arrival. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed and Proc Glimmix with fixed effects of treatment and load with heifer as experimental unit. Morbidity status of each heifer was classified based on whether the animal was subsequently pulled and treated for a diagnosed disease. Initial BW did not differ between treatments (P ≥ 0.67); however, BW varied among loads (P ≤ 0.01) and was lower (P ≤ 0.01) in calves subsequently pulled and treated for BRD. Reported mortality from all causes was minimal and not analyzed. Respiratory disease was the primary cause of disease; however, incidence was not affected (P ≥ 0.55) by treatment (21.1% vs. 23.5% for CONTROL and PROFUSION, respectively). Time from arrival to first recorded treatment varied among loads (range: 4 – 35 d) with a mean and median value of 26 and 21 d respectively with no treatment effects. Measured D2Dx scores at initial processing did not differ (P ≥ 0.43) between heifers assigned to CONTROL or PROFUSION treatments; however, scores were different among loads (P ≤ 0.01). In heifers subsequently treated for BRD, initial D2Dx scores were approximately 23% lower (P ≤ 0.07; D2Dx score =0.0138) compared to non-BRD treated animals (D2Dx score = 0.0180). These results suggest that administration of PROFUSION at arrival may not have been optimum based on subsequent observed morbidity patterns and calves with lower D2Dx score at arrival may have a lower humoral immunity especially a lower Th-1 immunity and thereby be more susceptible for clinical BRD.

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 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.

Trace mineral requirement for growth performance and immunity of calves

Trace mineral requirement for growth performance and immunity of calves

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Different Levels of Zinc, Manganese and Copper Nanoparticles on Growth Performance and Bioavailability in Commercial Broilers Chicks

Background: Nanotechnology is an emerging field and it has shown the great impact in broiler sector for production. Although extensive research is needed to evaluate the safety of nanominerals. Methods: A biological study was carried to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of inorganic, organic and nano forms of zinc, manganese and copper trace minerals on growth performance and immune status of commercial broiler chicken out for 35 days with 150 numbers of commercial broiler chicken and randomly distributed in 5 treatment groups viz., T1 (Inorganic 100%), T2 (Organic 100%), T3 (Nano 100%), T4 (Nano 50%) and T5 (Nano 25%) comprising of 30 birds in each group. Result: The results revealed that body weight, cumulative body weight gain and feed intake of broiler chicken increased significantly (p less than 0.01) in the 50 and 100% nano trace mineral supplemented groups when compared to other groups without any significant change in FCR. T3 and T4 exhibited significant (p less than 0.05) improvement in serum superoxide dismutase activity. The mRNA expressions of biomarker gene metallothionein, manganese-superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin were upregulated in T3 and T4 groups revealing that the nano trace mineral supplementation had better bioavailability.

Trace Minerals Supplementation with Great Impact on Beef Cattle Immunity and Health.

Simple SummarySupplementation with trace minerals (TM) is a husbandry strategy to improve cattle health. There is solid evidence of the beneficial effects of TM supplementation on the immune system. The concentration of TM in the soil is variable across the USA, with several regions having deficient levels in forages. Therefore, TM supplementation is highly recommended especially in areas where forages do not supply the mineral requirements. Before starting TM supplementation, it is important to evaluate the herd’s mineral profile, and the amount of TM the animals are consuming. Oral free-choice TM may not be sufficient to satisfy the requirements in certain situations, and could lead to TM deficiencies. This is due to a high variability in TM composition and intake, binding to undigested feed particles, reduced absorption, and antagonisms. Single, oral pulse-dose supplementation provides a controlled and homogeneous amount of TM intended to remove such a variation. However, this strategy does not efficiently increase circulating and hepatic TM levels. Parenteral TM supplementation has resulted in a more efficient increase in TM concentration. The strategic supplementation combining injectable TM during critical times of cattle management (e.g., vaccination) in conjunction with oral free-choice supplements has shown significant benefits for the immune response and protection against respiratory disease in beef cattle, reducing morbidity and treatment costs.Trace minerals (TM) play an important role in cattle immunity, health and performance. Although TM are needed in small quantities, they are fundamental for enzymes involved in antioxidant protection against cellular damage and several pathways of the immune response. Cattle TM status results from the balance between TM dietary intake and their requirements. Free-choice oral TM supplementation is a common practice in beef cattle production systems. However, there is a high variation in TM intake and thus TM status and bioavailability in animals receiving free-choice oral TM supplements. Strategic pulse-dose supplementation during critical points of beef cattle management provides a controlled amount of TM intended to remove such a variation. Adequate TM supplementation should not only satisfy the basal requirements but also provide a source of TM when there is a higher demand of the antioxidant systems or during the development of the immune response. This paper reviews the research-based evidence of the effects of TM supplementation on immunity and its impact on beef cattle health. This review highlights the benefits of a novel approach of strategic administration of injectable trace minerals (Se, Zn, Cu and Mn) during critical episodes of cattle management (e.g., around weaning or at vaccination) in combination with free-choice oral supplementation to maintain adequate TM and oxidative status, enhanced immunity and overall cattle health. This strategy has proven to decrease morbidity, which would positively impact the productivity of the beef cattle systems.

Effects of Storage Time and Thawing Method on Selected Nutrients in Whole Fish for Zoo Animal Nutrition.

Simple SummaryFish-eating animals in human care receive whole fish that were frozen, stored and thawed before feeding. Nutrient losses have been documented, but exact changes are unknown. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether or not frozen fish lose vitamins and trace minerals during storage, and if different thawing methods have an influence on the degree of these losses. Whole herring, mackerel, and capelin were analyzed at four time points within a storage period of six months at −20 °C. Each time, three thawing methods were tested: refrigerator, room temperature and running water. The following nutrients were analyzed: vitamin A, B1, D3 and E, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium. Copper was below detection limits in all samples, vitamin B1 in most herring (44/48) and capelin samples (25/36), and vitamin D3 in half of the capelin samples (18/36). Significant decreases of vitamin A, D3 and E concentrations were observed during a storage period of six months. Thawing fish with different methods resulted in a significant change of concentration of vitamin A. It is essential to supplement vitamin B1 and E in diets containing whole fish, and it should not be stored longer than 6 months, due to depletion of vitamin A, D3 and E.Piscivores in human care receive whole fish that were frozen, stored and thawed before feeding. Nutrient losses have been documented, but exact changes during storage and with different thawing methods are unknown. Primarily, it was hypothesized that frozen fish lose different vitamins and trace minerals during a storage period of six months. Secondly, that different thawing methods have a significant influence on the degree of vitamin loss. Three fish species, herring (Clupeus harengus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and capelin (Mallotus villosus) were analyzed at four time points within a storage period of 6 months at −20 °C. At each time point, three thawing methods were applied: thawing in a refrigerator (R), thawing at room temperature (RT), and thawing under running water (RW). The following nutrients were analyzed: vitamin A, B1, D3 and E, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se). The statistical method used was a linear mixed effect model. Cu was below detection limits in all analyzed samples, vitamin B1 in most analyzed herring (44/48 samples) and capelin (in 25/36 samples), respectively. In addition, the vitamin D3 concentration was also below detection limits in half of the capelin samples (18/36). No concentration changes of Fe (p = 0.616), Zn (p = 0.686) or Se (p = 0.148) were observed during a storage period of six months, in contrast to a significant decrease in vitamin A (p = 0.019), D3 (p = 0.034) and E (p = 0.003) concentrations. Thawing fish with different thawing methods did not result in concentration changes of Fe (p = 0.821), Zn (p = 0.549) or Se (p = 0.633), but in a significant concentration change of vitamin A (p = 0.002). It is essential to supplement vitamins B1 and E in diets containing whole fish to avoid deficiencies in piscivorous species, and care should be taken not to store fish longer than six months, due to the depletion of vitamins A, D3 and E.

Effect of replacing inorganic minerals with small peptide chelated minerals on production performance, some biochemical parameters and antioxidant status in broiler chickens.

Due to the low bio-availability of inorganic trace minerals, its application in poultry production has been causing many problems such as environment pollution and waste of resources. The current study was designed to evaluate if replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with small peptide chelate trace minerals (SPM) affects production performance, some biochemical parameters and antioxidant status, tibia mineral deposition, and fecal mineral content in 817 white-feathered broilers. A total of 432 broilers (21-day-old) were randomly divided into four groups with six replicates of 18 chicks each. The four groups included inorganic trace minerals group (addition of 1,000mg/kg ITM; common practice by commercial poultry farms), three organic trace minerals groups with supplementation of 150, 300, and 500mg/kg SPM, respectively. The experiment lasted for 30days. The results showed that there was no significant difference in growth performance and slaughter performance among the four groups (p > 0.05). Total cholesterol in the SPM group was significantly lower than those in the ITM groups (p < 0.01). Compared with the ITM group, the serum urea nitrogen in 150 and 300mg/kg SPM groups decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Among all SPM treatments, 300mg/kg SPM groups had the highest serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (p < 0.01). The activity of copper and zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) of liver in ITM group was the lowest among the four groups (p < 0.01). The catalase (CAT) activity of liver in the 150mg/kg SPM group was significantly higher than the ITM group and 300mg/kg SPM group (p < 0.05). Compared to the ITM group, the iron content of the tibia was significantly increased in 300mg/kg SPM group (p < 0.05) and 500mg/kg SPM group (p < 0.01). Compared to the ITM group, dietary supplementation with SPM significantly reduced fecal content of zinc and manganese (p < 0.01). The 150mg/kg SPM and 300mg/kg SPM group had significantly reduced content of iron (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that replacing inorganic minerals with low doses of SPM (300 and 500mg/kg) did not negatively affect growth and slaughter performance, as well as the antioxidant status of broiler chickens. In addition, SPM can also promote mineral content in the tibia and reduce mineral content in the feces.