Effects of Short-term Supplementation of Clinoptilolite in Colostrum and Milk on the Concentration of Some Serum Minerals in Neonatal Dairy Calves

Abstract

In recent years, the use of both natural and synthetic zeolites in animal nutrition has increased mainly to improve their performance, health, and to protect against mycotoxin intoxication. Thirty calves were used in the present study for the determination of some physiologic effects of clinoptilolite supplementation. The animals were divided equally into three groups (control, test 1, and test 2). The three groups of calves were homogeneous for parity of dams, sex, and month of birth. For group test 1, clinoptilolite in the concentration of 2% of each colostrum meal was added for 48 h, and for group test 2, clinoptilolite in the concentration of 2% was added to each colostrum and milk meal for 14 days. Blood samples were taken from all calves 12 h after birth and at the end of the first, second, third, forth, fifth, and sixth weeks of life. Calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) were determined in the serum. For statistical analysis of data, a repeated measures approach using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with mixed linear models was used. Clinoptilolite supplementation had significant effect on the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and iron. The concentrations of Fe significantly higher in test group 2 than other trial groups (p < 0.05). Calcium concentrations were significantly higher in serum of clinoptilolite-treated than control calves (p < 0.05). The concentrations of phosphorus were significantly lower in test groups than control group (p < 0.05). Sodium concentrations were significantly higher in clinoptilolite-supplemented groups than control calves (p < 0.05). Potassium and magnesium concentrations were not affected by clinoptilolite supplementation. Clinoptilolite supplementation could promote iron levels in serum and better hemopoiesis and prevent pathologic or physiologic drop of red blood cell (RBC) parameters in supplemented calves during a first few weeks of life. According to higher need and utilization of Ca in growing animals, clinoptilolite supplementation could increase available Ca. Based on the results of the present study and the importance of dietary phosphorus in many physiologic processes, the level of phosphorus in diet of neonatal dairy calves must be considered and adapted when clinoptilolite was supplemented. With an adequate supply of good quality drinking water, cattle can tolerate large quantities of dietary sodium chloride. Thus, it seems that significant increase in serum Na concentration during short-term supplementation of clinoptilolite in neonatal calves could be well tolerated without any adverse effects.

Efectos de la suplementación clinoptilolita corto plazo sobre la ganancia de peso en becerros Holstein

“…Besides zeolite could take up harmful heavy metals, or alternatively might regulate pH in the gut, resulting in less stomach ailments (7). One other possible mechanism related to increased weight gain might possibly involves zeolite (clnp) supplementation accompany better milk protein digestion and higher amino acid absorption (7). These all may contribute to increased daily weight gain for calves, as in agreement with the purpose of the present study.…”

“…The latter may permit the animal more efficiently using ingested nitrogen (7). From another point of view, zeolite might improve the general health status of calves, and probably después de la administración de clinoptilolita se consideró en un ensayo previo (7).…”

“…Daily weight gain of lambs, during the trial, was 229:256 g in control:experimental groups, respectively and in the experimental group there was a difference of 27g (11.79%) elevation (p<0.01) (13). The experimental aumento de peso podría implicar posiblemente la suplementación de zeolita (clnp), acompañada de una mejor digestión de las proteínas de la leche y una mayor absorción de aminoácidos (7). Todos estos factores pueden contribuir a aumentar la ganancia diaria de peso de los terneros, de acuerdo con el propósito del presente estudio.…”

“…Those effects are not expected directly, since its particle size may not be absorbed from the gut (6). However it is possible to interfere with weight gain in relation to the property of zeolite having a role as an ammonium reservoir in the alimentary tract, permitting the animal more efficiently using ingested nitrogen (7), which all would be thoroughly discussed within the discussion section. Throughout the paper zeolite and clnp would be merely used as synonyms, as clnp is a natural zeolite.…”

The Effects of Feeding Clinoptilolite on Hematology, Performance, and Health of Newborn Lambs

“…Mohri et al [15] believed that this increasing could be attributed to a possible increase of iron concentration due to clinoptilolite supplementation for 14 days to the calves. Based on the results of Verzgula et al [23] and Mohri et al [24], supplementation of clinoptilolite in colostrums and milk can promote iron absorption and/or utilization in dairy calves. The different alimentary system physiology with adult ruminant and/or duration of supplementation could be responsible for the different response after clinoptilolite supplementation.…”