Effect of copper, zinc, and manganese supplementation and source on reproduction, mineral status, and performance in grazing beef cattle over a two-year period123

Abstract

Crossbred, multiparous beef cows (n = 178 in Year 1; n = 148 in Year 2) were used to evaluate the effects of Cu, Zn, and Mn supplementation and source on reproduction, mineral status, and performance in grazing cattle in eastern Colorado over a 2-yr period. Cows were stratified by expected calving date, age, BW, BCS, and liver mineral status and assigned to the following treatments: 1) control (no supplemental Cu, Zn, or Mn); 2) organic (ORG; 50% organic and 50% inorganic Cu, Zn, and Mn); and 3) inorganic (ING; 100% inorganic CuSO4, ZnSO4, and MnSO4). Free-choice mineral feeders were used to provide current NRC-recommended concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn from 82 d (Year 1) and 81 d (Year 2) before the average calving date of the herd through 110 d (Year 1) and 135 d (Year 2) after calving. At the end of Year 1, supplemented cows had greater liver Cu (P < 0.01), Zn (P < 0.05), and Mn (P < 0.01) concentrations compared with controls, whereas liver Cu concentration was greater (P < 0.01) in ORG vs. ING cows. At the end of Year 2, supplemented cows had greater (P < 0.01) liver Cu concentrations relative to controls, whereas control cows had greater (P < 0.02) liver Mn concentration than did supplemented cows. In Year 1, pregnancy rate to AI in control cows did not differ (P = 0.47) from supplemented cows, but there was a trend (P < 0.08) for pregnancy rate to be higher for ORG than ING cows. In Year 2, supplemented cows had a higher (P < 0.02) pregnancy rate to AI than controls. In both years, when cows were inseminated after an observed estrus, supplemented cows had a higher (P < 0.04) pregnancy rate than did controls. Also, for both years, overall 60-d pregnancy rate tended (P = 0.10) to be higher for supplemented cows than for controls. In Year 1, kilograms of calf weaned per cow exposed was greater (P < 0.02) in controls than in supplemented cows, and kilograms of calf weaned per cow exposed was greater (P < 0.01) in ING than ORG treatments. However, in Year 2, kilograms of calf weaned per cow exposed was greater (P < 0.02) in controls than in supplemented cows, and tended (P = 0.09) to be greater in ORG than ING treatments. Results indicate that supplementation and source of trace minerals affected mineral status and kilograms of calf weaned per cow exposed in grazing beef cows. Supplementation also improved pregnancy rate to AI compared with cows not supplemented with Cu, Zn, or Mn for more than 1 yr. Furthermore, mineral source may influence pregnancy rate to AI.

Effect of copper- and zinc-methionine supplementation on bioavailability, mineral status and tissue concentrations of copper and zinc in ewes

“…Similar observations have been reported by other workers [18,8,19], suggesting better nutrient utilization. Higher plasma levels of Cu and Zn in ewes fed Cu-and Zn-methionine was attributed to better gut absorption of these minerals.…”

Is there a relationship between serum minerals (Ca, Mg) and trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) at mating on pregnancy rates in fat-tailed Morkaraman sheep?

“…Meanwhile, in the CON group, there was a marked (P<0.05) increase from 0.063±0.02 g/dl to 0.40±0.06 g/dl on day -10 to Day zero, respectively. In this respect, it is reported that the low circulating levels of Mn in cattle lead to silent heat, lower pregnancy rates and abortion (Ahola et al, 2004). In our study, however, no marked reduction in Mn levels was observed in any group.…”

Evaluation of the Change of Serum Copper and Zinc Concentrations of Dairy Cows with Subclinical Ketosis

“…Zn and Cu are needed in sufficient quantities to promote good health and to optimize production and reproduction [11,12]. A deficiency of Zn is associated with a loss of appetite, impaired reproduction and testicular development, growth depression, and impaired immune status [10,[13][14][15][16][17]. In dairy cows, low Zn leads to low milk quality with high somatic cell count and an increased incidence of mastitis [18] and other diseases [19].…”