Dietary organic trace mineral supplement affects steroid hormone, antioxidant enzyme concentrations, and reproductive performances in dairy cows

Abstract

Supplementation of organic trace mineral (OTM) may affect reproductive functions in several aspects and has been studied, but very rare is reported in dairy cows. To determine the effects of dietary OTM supplement during pre- and postpartum with timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol on steroid hormones, antioxidant enzymes, and reproductive performances in dairy cows. Prepartum Holstein cows (n = 60) were randomly assigned to received either a control diet or OTM supplemented for 42 days. Both groups were fed the same total mixed ration, but were supplemented with 5 g/head/d OTM (Bioplex®) in the treatment group. Blood and follicular fluid samples were collected to determine progesterone (P4), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and estradiol (E2) concentrations. Cows fed OTM had better placental expulsion period, milk yield, and reproductive performance parameters (day to first ovulation and estrus, percentage of first estrus and size of preovulatory follicle) than control cows (P < 0.05). Cows fed OTM affected (P < 0.05) the serum concentration of P4 on days 12, 15, 18, 21, and 42 after TAI. Follicular fluid concentrations of E2 in large follicle in OTM cows were greater than control cows (336.3 and 376.9 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Cows supplemented with OTM had greater serum SOD and GSH-Px activities than control cows (15.5 vs. 10.6 U/mL and 12.1 vs. 9.9 U/mL; P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplements with OTM improved uterine and placental health, steroid hormones concentrations, and antioxidant enzyme activities but did not improve conception rate in dairy cows.

Dietary replacement of inorganic trace minerals with lower levels of organic trace minerals leads to enhanced antioxidant capacity, nutrient digestibility, and reduced fecal mineral excretion in growing-finishing pigs

“…As a more bioavailable source of trace minerals ( 22 ), OTMs are widely used in the production of pigs ( 12 , 23 ), broilers ( 24 , 25 ), laying hens ( 7 , 8 , 26 ), and dairy cows ( 27 , 28 ) for their performance-enhancing effects. However, studies on animals fed different trace mineral sources have yielded inconsistent results.…”

“…Studies have shown that OTMs have a higher digestibility and absorption rate compared with ITMs, which could improve SOD activity and reduce lipid oxidation ( 12 , 13 , 29 , 33 ). Cows fed diets containing OTMs had higher serum SOD and GSH-px activities than those fed diets containing the same amount of ITMs ( 28 ), and pigs fed diets supplemented with OTMs had higher hepatic Cu/Zn-SOD and GSH-px activities than those fed diets supplemented with ITMs ( 34 ). Feng et al ( 12 ) found that feeding diets supplemented with Fe-Gly could increase serum SOD activity in pigs.…”

Supplementation of different sources of selenium on laying performance, egg quality traits, and shell calcification expressions in 50 weeks Lohmann Brown layer hen reproductive tract

“…Organic trace minerals supplementation has been linked to improve eggshell quality in poultry (Wang et al, 2019) and improve ruminant productive performances (Khanthusaeng et al, 2022). Se is an important microelement used in the diet of poultry that is used to maintain laying integrity (LI) and egg production (Elpawati et al, 2018).…”