Effect of feeding inorganic and chelated supplements of trace elements on performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and fecal score of suckling Holstein calves

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Animal and Poultry Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Calf rearing is one of the most important and sensitive management programs in livestock farms. Calves are a key factor in profitability; therefore, using appropriate nutritional methods for better growth and health is crucial. One such method is transitioning calves earlier from milk feeding to a dry diet. Faster feeding of the starter diet and the development of rumen villi prepare the calf for the transition period and reduce labor and feeding costs. Early weaning shortens the liquid feeding period. Since calves are susceptible to diarrhea and digestive issues during this phase, reducing their duration can be highly beneficial. However, one of the most important points in the livestock industry is animal nutrition, which is directly related to the growth, health, and mortality of livestock. Therefore, to achieve proper growth and health of livestock to improve production efficiency in animal husbandry, new methods are needed in the livestock nutrition sector. This study was conducted to compare the effect of feeding chelated and mineral forms of trace elements (cobalt, iodine, selenium, zinc, manganese, iron, and copper) on performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and stool consistency of suckling Holstein calves.
Materials and methods: Thirty-six calves with an age of 7±3 days and an initial body weight of 36.2±3.8 kg were divided into three treatments and 12 replications in a completely randomized design. The treatments included: 1. Control group (without mineral supplement), 2. Feeding with two grams of mineral supplement per calf per day, and 3. Feeding with two grams of chelated supplement per calf per day. In the first three days of life, calves received colostrum at a rate of 10% of their body weight. From the fourth day to 60 days of age, they received four liters of milk twice a day (7 am and 7 pm). During the experiment, calves had free access to feed and water. To assess performance, calves were weighed on days 0, 30, and 60 to monitor weight changes. Feed intake and post-feeding were also recorded daily. The increase in feed intake was determined based on the remaining feed of each animal on the following day, so that if the animal left less than 10% of its own feed on three consecutive days, the feed intake was increased. This process continued until the end of the experiment. Feed conversion ratio was obtained from the ratio of the average dry matter intake of each calf to the average daily weight gain during the period. Fecal and feed samples were collected on days 55 to 59 for five days for digestibility tests. To measure blood parameters on day 60 of the study, fasting blood was drawn from the calf's jugular vein before morning feeding using heparinized venoject tubes. To assess the health index of the calves, the appearance of feces was assessed daily during the experiment. The feces score was scored daily for each calf as an indicator of animal health.
Results and discussion: According to the results of the present study, adding chelated supplements improved the weight at 30 days, 60 days, weight changes, daily weight gain from 1 to 30 days, and for the entire period (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in body weight at 30 days or daily weight gain (1-30 days) between calves receiving chelated and mineral supplements. Supplementing calf milk with chelated minerals increased total and daily dry matter intake, starter intake, and feed conversion ratio (P<0.05). The results of the present study showed that adding mineral supplements and chelated trace elements to calf milk improved the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, and neutral detergent insoluble fiber (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between calves receiving trace elements. According to the results, adding mineral elements to calf milk increased blood glucose concentration (P<0.05). However, the addition of trace minerals had no significant effect on the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, urea nitrogen, total protein, albumin, and globulin. Serum zinc concentrations in calves receiving mineral supplements were higher than in the other two groups (P<0.05), while this difference was not significant in calves receiving chelated supplements. Calves in the control and chelated supplements groups had the highest (2.30) and lowest (1.86) fecal score among the experimental treatments, respectively (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Overall, this study suggests that supplementing milk with chelated minerals, rather than inorganic sources, improves performance traits, enhances stool consistency, and positively influences key physiological parameters in suckling calves.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abdollahi, M., Rezaei, J., & Fazaeli, H. (2020). Performance, rumen fermentation, blood minerals, leukocyte and antioxidant capacity of young Holstein calves receiving high-surface ZnO instead of common ZnO. Archives of Animal Nutrition, 74(3), 189-205.‏ doi: 10.1080/1745039X.2019.1690389
Alijani, K., Rezaei, J., & Rouzbehan, Y. (2020). Effect of nano-ZnO, compared to ZnO and Zn-methionine, on performance, nutrient status, rumen fermentation, blood enzymes, ferric reducing antioxidant power and immunoglobulin G in sheep. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 267, 114532. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114532
‏Anderson, K. L., Nagaraja, T. G., & Morrill, J. L. (1987). Ruminal metabolic development in calves weaned conventionally or early. Journal of Dairy Science, 70(5), 1000-1005.‏ doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(87)80105-4
AOAC. (2005). Official Method of Analysis, 15 ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, USA.
Bretschneider, G., Elizalde, J. C., & Pérez, F. A. (2008). The effect of feeding antibiotic growth promoters on the performance of beef cattle consuming forage-based diets: A review. Livestock Science, 114(2-3), 135-149.‏  doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2007.12.017
Brugger, D., & Windisch, W. M. (2017). Strategies and challenges to increase the precision in feeding zinc to monogastric livestock. Animal Nutrition, 3(2), 103-108.‏  doi: 10.1016/j.aninu.2017.03.002
‏Chang, M. N., Wei, J. Y., Hao, L. Y., Ma, F. T., Li, H. Y., Zhao, S. G., & Sun, P. (2020). Effects of different types of zinc supplement on the growth, incidence of diarrhea, immune function, and rectal microbiota of newborn dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(7), 6100-6113.  doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-17610
‏Chen, F., Li, Y., Shen, Y., Guo, Y., Zhao, X., Li, Q., ... & Li, J. (2020). Effects of prepartum zinc-methionine supplementation on feed digestibility, rumen fermentation patterns, immunity status, and passive transfer of immunity in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(10), 8976-8985.‏  doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-17991
Cortinhas, C. S., Freitas Júnior, J. E. D., Naves, J. D. R., Porcionato, M. A. D. F., Rennó, F. P., & Santos, M. V. D. (2012). Organic and inorganic sources of zinc, copper and selenium in diets for dairy cows: intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 41, 1477-1483.‏  doi: 10.1590/S1516-35982012000600023
Del Valle, T. A., Jesus, E. F. D., Paiva, P. G. D., Bettero, V. P., Zanferari, F., Acedo, T. S., ... & Rennó, F. P. (2015). Effect of organic sources of minerals on fat-corrected milk yield of dairy cows in confinement. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 44(3), 103-108.‏  doi: 10.1590/S1806-92902015000300004
Enjalbert, F. (2009). The relationship between trace elements status and health in calves. Revue de Medecine Veterinaire, 160(8-9), 429-435.‏
Feldmann, H. R., Williams, D. R., Champagne, J. D., Lehenbauer, T. W., & Aly, S. S. (2019). Effectiveness of zinc supplementation on diarrhea and average daily gain in pre-weaned dairy calves: A double-blind, block-randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. PLoS One, 14(7), e0219321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219321
Ghavidel, M. , Toghdory, A. , Ghoorchi, T. & Asadi, M. (2024). Influence of chelated iron supplement containing organic acids and amino acids on growth performance, skeletal growth indices, fecal score, and blood parameters in suckling calves. Animal Production Research, 13(3), 61-74. [In Persian]. doi: 10.22124/ar.2024.26191.1806
Gelsinger, S. L., Pino, F., Jones, C. M., Gehman, A. M., & Heinrichs, A. J. (2016). Effects of a dietary organic mineral program including mannan oligosaccharides for pregnant cattle and their calves on calf health and performance. The Professional Animal Scientist, 32(2), 205-213.‏ doi: 10.15232/pas.2015-01475
Glover, A. D., Puschner, B., Rossow, H. A., Lehenbauer, T. W., Champagne, J. D., Blanchard, P. C., & Aly, S. S. (2013). A double-blind block randomized clinical trial on the effect of zinc as a treatment for diarrhea in neonatal Holstein calves under natural challenge conditions. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 112(3-4), 338-347.  doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2013.09.001
Hess, J. B., Downs, K. M., Macklin, K. S., Norton, R. A., & Bilgili, S. F. (2008). Organic Trace Minerals for Broilers and Breeders. Poultry Science Department, Auburn University, AL, School of Agribusiness and Agrisciences, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA. ‏
Jacometo, C. B., Osorio, J. S., Socha, M., Corrêa, M. N., Piccioli-Cappelli, F., Trevisi, E., & Loor, J. J. (2015). Maternal consumption of organic trace minerals alters calf systemic and neutrophil mRNA and microRNA indicators of inflammation and oxidative stress. Journal of Dairy Science, 98(11), 7717-7729.‏ doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-9359
Juniper, D. T., Rymer, C., & Briens, M. (2019). Bioefficacy of hydroxy-selenomethionine as a selenium supplement in pregnant dairy heifers and on the selenium status of their calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 102(8), 7000-7010. doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-16065
‏Kargar, S., Mousavi, F., Karimi-Dehkordi, S., & Ghaffari, M. H. (2018). Growth performance, feeding behavior, health status, and blood metabolites of environmentally heat-loaded Holstein dairy calves fed diets supplemented with chromium. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(11), 9876-9887.‏ doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-14154
Kinal, S., Korniewicz, A., Slupczynska, M., Bodarski, R., Korniewicz, D., & Cermak, B. (2007). Effect of the application of bioplexes of zinc, copper and manganese on milk quality and composition of milk and colostrum and some indices of the blood metabolic profile of cows. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 52(12), 423. doi: 10.17221/2338-CJAS‏
Larson, L. L., Owen, F. G., Albright, J. L., Appleman, R. D., Lamb, R. C., & Muller, L. D. (1977). Guidelines toward more uniformity in measuring and reporting calf experimental data. Journal of Dairy Science, 60(6), 989-991.‏ doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(77)83975-1
Ma, T., & Suzuki, Y. (2018). Dissect the mode of action of probiotics in affecting host-microbial interactions and immunity in food producing animals. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 205, 35-48.‏ doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2018.10.004
Mallaki, M., Norouzian, M. A., & Khadem, A. A. (2015). Effect of organic zinc supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization, and plasma zinc status in lambs. Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, 39(1), 75-80. doi: 10.3906/vet-1405-79‏
Malmuthuge, N., Liang, G., & Guan, L. L. (2019). Regulation of rumen development in neonatal ruminants through microbial metagenomes and host transcriptomes. Genome Biology, 20, 1-16.‏ doi: 10.1186/s13059-019-1786-0
Mandal, G. P., Dass, R. S., Isore, D. P., Garg, A. K., & Ram, G. C. (2007). Effect of zinc supplementation from two sources on growth, nutrient utilization and immune response in male crossbred cattle (Bos indicus× Bos taurus) bulls. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 138(1), 1-12.‏ doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2006.09.014
Marques, R. S., Cooke, R. F., Rodrigues, M. C., Cappellozza, B. I., Mills, R. R., Larson, C. K., ... & Bohnert, D. W. (2016). Effects of organic or inorganic cobalt, copper, manganese, and zinc supplementation to late-gestating beef cows on productive and physiological responses of the offspring. Journal of Animal Science, 94(3), 1215-1226.  doi: 10.2527/jas2015-0036
McDonald, P., Edwards, R. A., Greenhalgh, J. F. D., Morgan, C. A., Sinclair, L. A., & Wilkinson, R. G. (2011). Animal Nutrition. ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.
Moazeni Zadeh, M. H., Towhidi, A., Zhandi, M., & Rezayazdi. K. (2022). Effects of supplementation of some trace minerals on growth performance, biochemical, enzymatic, antioxidant, hormonal and hematological parameters in Holstein suckling calves. Journal of Ruminant Research, 11(1), 75-92. doi: 10.22069/ejrr.2022.20590.1863 [In Persian]
Mousavi-Haghshenas, M. A., Hashemzadeh, F., Ghorbani, G. R., Ghasemi, E., Rafiee, H., & Ghaffari, M. H. (2022). Trace minerals source in calf starters interacts with birth weights to affect growth performance. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 18763.‏ doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-23459-4
Mudgal, V., Saxena, N., Kumar, K., Dahiya, S. S., Punia, B. S., & Sharma, M. L. (2019). Sources and levels of trace elements influence some blood parameters in murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. Biological Trace Element Research, 188, 393-403.‏ doi: 10.1007/s12011-018-1439-2
Nemec, L. M., Richards, J. D., Atwell, C. A., Diaz, D. E., Zanton, G. I., & Gressley, T. F. (2012). Immune responses in lactating Holstein cows supplemented with Cu, Mn, and Zn as sulfates or methionine hydroxy analogue chelates. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(8), 4568-4577.‏ https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5404
Ortman, K., & Pehrson, B. (1999). Effect of selenate as a feed supplement to dairy cows in comparison to selenite and selenium yeast. Journal of Animal Science, 77(12), 3365-3370. doi: 10.2527/1999.77123365x
Osorio, J. S., Wallace, R. L., Tomlinson, D. J., Earleywine, T. J., Socha, M. T., & Drackley, J. K. (2012). Effects of source of trace minerals and plane of nutrition on growth and health of transported neonatal dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(10), 5831-5844. doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-5042
Pambu-Gollah, R., Cronje, P. B., & Casey, N. H. (2000). An evaluation of the use of blood metabolite concentrations as indicators of nutritional status in free-ranging indigenous goats. South African Journal of Animal Science, 30(2), 115-120.
Ryan, A. W., Kegley, E. B., Hawley, J., Powell, J. G., Hornsby, J. A., Reynolds, J. L., & Laudert, S. B. (2015). Supplemental trace minerals (zinc, copper, and manganese) as sulfates, organic amino acid complexes, or hydroxy trace-mineral sources for shipping-stressed calves. The Professional Animal Scientist, 31(4), 333-341. doi: 10.15232/pas.2014-01383
SAS Institute. (2004). User’s Guide. Version 9.1: Statistics. SAS Institute, Cary, NC.
Sethy, K., Behera, K., Mishra, S. K., Gupta, S. K., Sahoo, N., Parhi, S. S., ... & Khadanga, S. (2018). Effect of organic zinc supplementation on growth, metabolic profile and antioxidant status of Ganjam sheep. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 52(6), 839-842. doi: 10.18805/ijar.B-3297
Spears, J. W. (1996). Organic trace minerals in ruminant nutrition. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 58(1-2), 151-163. doi: 10.1016/0377-8401(95)00881-0
Spears, J. W., & Weiss, W. P. (2008). Role of antioxidants and trace elements in health and immunity of transition dairy cows. The Veterinary Journal, 176(1), 70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.12.015
Spears, J. W., & Weiss, W. P. (2014). Invited review: Mineral and vitamin nutrition in ruminants. The Professional Animal Scientist, 30(2), 180-191. doi: 10.15232/S1080-7446(15)30103-0
Stamey, J. A., Janovick, N. A., Kertz, A. F., & Drackley, J. K. (2012). Influence of starter protein content on growth of dairy calves in an enhanced early nutrition program. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(6), 3327-3336.‏ doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-5107
Suarez-Mena, F. X., Hill, T. M., Heinrichs, A. J., Bateman II, H. G., Aldrich, J. M., & Schlotterbeck, R. L. (2011). Effects of including corn distillers dried grains with solubles in dairy calf feeds. Journal of Dairy Science, 94(6), 3037-3044. doi: 10.3168/jds.2010-3845
Suarez-Mena, F. X., Hu, W., Dennis, T. S., Hill, T. M., & Schlotterbeck, R. L. (2017). β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose concentrations in the blood of dairy calves as influenced by age, vaccination stress, weaning, and starter intake including evaluation of BHB and glucose markers of starter intake. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(4), 2614-2624. doi: 10.3168/jds.2016-12181
Teixeira, A. G. V., Lima, F. S., Bicalho, M. L. S., Kussler, A., Lima, S. F., Felippe, M. J., & Bicalho, R. C. (2014). Effect of an injectable trace mineral supplement containing selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese on immunity, health, and growth of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 97(7), 4216-4226. doi: 10.3168/jds.2013-7625
Underwood, E. J., & Suttle, N. F. (1999). The Mineral Nutrition of Livestock .3rd edition. ‏
Van Keulen, J. Y. B. A., & Young, B. A. (1977). Evaluation of acid-insoluble ash as a natural marker in ruminant digestibility studies. Journal of Animal Science, 44(2), 282-287.‏ doi: 10.2527/jas1977.442282x
Van Soest, P. V., Robertson, J. B., & Lewis, B. A. (1991). Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science, 74(10), 3583-3597.‏ doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(91)78551-2
Vi, R. B., McLeod, K. R., Klotz, J. L., & Heitmann, R. N. (2004). Rumen development, intestinal growth and hepatic metabolism in the pre-and postweaning ruminant. Journal of Dairy Science, 87, E55-E65. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)70061-2
Wang, R. L., Liang, J. G., Lu, L., Zhang, L. Y., Li, S. F., & Luo, X. G. (2013). Effect of zinc source on performance, zinc status, immune response, and rumen fermentation of lactating cows. Biological Trace Element Research, 152, 16-24. doi: 10.1007/s12011-012-9585-4
Zarbalizadeh-Saed, A., Seifdavati, J., Abdi-Benemar, H., Salem, A. Z., Barbabosa-Pliego, A., Camacho-Diaz, L. M., ... & Seyed-Sharifi, R. (2020). Effect of slow-release pellets of selenium and iodine on performance and some blood metabolites of pregnant Moghani ewes and their lambs. Biological Trace Element Research, 195, 461-471. doi: 10.1007/s12011-019-01853-w
Animal Production Research
Volume 14, Issue 4
December 2025
Pages 95-106

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics