Effects of supplementation of some trace minerals on growth performance, biochemical, enzymatic, antioxidant, hormonal and hematological parameters in Holstein suckling calves

Suckling calves are exposed to different stressors such as birth, pathological factors and environmental factor stress which cause increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress. Trace minerals are a part of some antioxidative enzymes which are necessary for health maintenance. Trace mineral amount of colostrum and milk is not optimal and usage of trace mineral supplements are necessary for suckling calves. Therefore, the aim of this study was evaluation of adding a mixed supplement of trace minerals including copper, iron, zinc and manganese on growth performance, biochemical, enzymatic, antioxidant, hormonal and hematological parameters.

A total of 20 day-old male and female suckling Holstein calves were randomly divided in to two equal groups (ten calves per group) based on initial body weight (40±5 Kg) and until weaning (day 63) they were kept in individual pens. the control group calves were fed with milk and starter diet including whey protein as trace mineral career and treatment group were fed with milk including 15 part per million (ppm) iron sulfate (FeSo4), 6 ppm zinc sulfate (ZnSo4), 6 ppm manganese sulfate (MnSo4) and 1.5 ppm copper sulfate (CuSo4) supplements and basal starter diet including 100 ppm FeSo4, 40 ppm ZnSo4, 40 ppm MnSo4 and 10 ppm Cuso4 supplement until weaning on day 63. During entire experimental period calves accessed starter diet and water ad libitum. Feed intake was calculated daily and calves were weighed weekly to calculate feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily gain. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, 42 and 63 to determine plasma trace mineral levels and biochemical, enzymatic, hormonal, antioxidant and hematological parameters.

The results indicated that growth performance, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and thyroxine (T4) concentration were not affected by trace mineral supplement. Although, plasma zinc concentration and high density lipoprotein concentration were recorded higher in animals received supplemented trace minerals (P<0/05), low density lipoproteins concentration was lower in the calves fed with trace mineral supplement (P<0/05). In addition to the parameters listed above, alkaline phosphatase concentration, red blood cells count, hemoglobin and hematocrit and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were significantly increased in the calves received trace minerals supplement (P<0/05).

Totally, supplemental trace minerals could not improve growth performance and enzymatic antioxidant activity of suckling Holstein calves; however, some biochemical, hormonal and enzymatic parameters related to inflammation, ossification, and cellular basal metabolism were improved in suckling calves.