Changes in hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters in response to progressive inclusion of nitrate in the diet of Holstein calves

Abstract

Background and Aim: Nitrate (NO3–) reduces enteric methane emissions and could be a source of non-protein nitrogen in ruminant feeds. Nonetheless, it has a potential toxic effect that could compromise animal health and production. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of progressive inclusion of NO3– in the diet on the hematological, biochemical, and blood gases parameters, in turn, the effects on feed intake and live weight gain (LWG) in Holstein calves. Materials and Methods: Eighteen Holstein heifers and steers (nine animals/treatment) were maintained in individual pens for 45 days. Animals were randomly allocated to either a control or nitrate diet (ND) (containing 15 g of NO3–/kg of dry matter [DM]). The biochemical parameters and blood gases were analyzed only in the NO3– group on days: -1, 1, 7, 13, 19, and 25 corresponding to 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of the total inclusion of NO3– in the diet, respectively. In addition, DM intake (DMI) and LWG were evaluated among dietary treatments. Results: Feeding the ND did not influence DMI or LWG (p>0.05). Methemoglobin (MetHb) and deoxyhemoglobin increased according to the NO3– concentrations in the diet (p<0.05), while an opposite effect was observed for oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin (p<0.05). Hematocrit levels decreased (p<0.05), while albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase concentrations were not modified (p>0.05). However, glucose, urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and retinol concentrations increased (p<0.05) according to the NO3– concentrations in the diet. Conclusion: This study confirmed that the progressive inclusion of 123 g of NO3–/animal/day in the diet could be safe without affecting DMI and LWG of Holstein calves. In turn, a dose-response effect of the MetHb, glucose, urea, AST, and retinol was observed, but these values did not exceed reference values. These results highlighted the importance of using a scheme of progressive inclusion of NO3– in the diet of calves to reduce the risks of NO3– toxicity.

Dynamics of the ruminal microbial ecosystem, and inhibition of methanogenesis and propiogenesis in response to nitrate feeding to Holstein calves

“…Likewise, when the methemoglobinemia incidence was controlled, by gradual acclimatization or by using protected nitrate, the reduction in DMI was explained mainly due to the organoleptic properties of nitrate (bitter taste), both in cattle ( Newbold et al., 2014 ; Lee et al., 2015 ) and in sheep ( Li et al., 2012 ). Therefore, it seems that a gradual acclimatization scheme to nitrate is key to maintain DMI levels without affecting animal performance ( van Zijderveld et al., 2011b ) and without compromising animal health ( Ortiz-Chura et al., 2021 ).…”

“…The trial included 30 d of acclimatization to diet, followed by a 15-d period of measurements (on d 31 to 45). To reduce the risks of toxicity from nitrites (ruminal microorganism convert NO 3 ─ to nitrite [NO 2 ─ ]), the amount of NO 3 ─ in the diet was gradually increased as previously described ( Ortiz-Chura et al., 2021 ). Throughout the experiment, the animals were kept in individual pens of 36 m 2 (9 m length × 4 m width), which were constructed outdoors using electric fences.…”