Effects of a single trace minerals injection on antioxidant and immune response, resistance to endoparasites, health and growth of newborn Boer kids

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of injectable trace minerals (ITM) on antioxidant and immune response, resistance to endoparasites, health and growth of newborn Boer kids. Forty-six Boer kids [24 males and 22 females; 3.94±1.03kg of body weight (BW); 6.2±2.4 d of age] were enrolled in the study. Kids were stratified by type of birth (twins or singlet), sex, and BW and assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: one subcutaneous injection (0.1mL/4.5kg of BW) of (1) saline solution or (2) ITM (60, 10, 5, and 15mg/mL of Zn, Mn, Se and Cu, respectively). Blood samples were collected on d 0, 7, 14, 28 and 56. Feces samples were collected on d 56 and BW on d 0, 28 and 56. Kids were checked daily for signs of diarrhea. ITM kids had greater (P<0.01) plasma concentration of superoxide dismutase and tended (P=0.06) to have greater plasma concentration of glutathione peroxidase. ITM kids had greater (P=0.05) concentration of eosinophils, but no differences (P≥0.11) were observed for other hemogram variables. The ITM application did not affect (P≥0.11) the EPG count. However, ITM kids had less (P=0.02) cumulative incidence of diarhea until d 42 (3.85 vs. 25.93±6.8% for ITM vs. Saline kids, respectively) but no differences (P>0.10) were observed after d 42. The ITM application did not affect (P≥0.40) the growth of kids (0.071 vs. 0.065±0.005kg/day for ITM vs. Saline kids, respectively). Thus, the ITM application, increased the plasma concentration of antioxidant enzymes and eosinophils, decreased the incidence of diarrhea only in the middle of the experiment, but did not affected the EPG count and growth of Boer kids.