Supplemental vitamin C improves marbling in feedlot cattle consuming high sulfur diets

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of supplemental rumen-protected vitamin C (VC) on live and carcass-based performance, and antioxidant capacity of cattle consuming varying concentrations of dietary S. Angus-cross steers (n = 120) were blocked by initial BW (341 ± 11 kg) and assigned equally to 1 of 6 treatments, evaluating 3 concentrations of dietary S [0.22%, 0.34%, and 0.55%, for low S (LS), medium S (MS), and high S (HS), respectively] and 2 concentrations of supplemental VC (0 or 10 g • steer(-1) • d(-1)). Steers receiving VC-supplemented diets consumed an average of 10.3 g of supplemental VC • steer(-1) • d(-1) and increasing dietary S linearly increased (P < 0.01) grams of S consumed. Increasing dietary S decreased (P < 0.01) DMI, final BW, and ADG, and linearly increased (P < 0.05) rumen hydrogen sulfide and blood sulfhemoglobin concentrations. The inclusion of VC, regardless of S treatment, tended to increase (P = 0.08) plasma VC concentrations, specifically within the medium and high S diets (P = 0.04). Plasma total antioxidant capacity (d 90) linearly decreased (P = 0.003) and total liver glutathione (GSH; d 143) tended to decrease (P = 0.08) due to increased S intake. Within the high S treatment, addition of VC decreased (P = 0.04) the ratio of oxidized-to-reduced GSH compared with HS alone. Increased dietary S and VC decreased (P < 0.05) plasma Cu concentrations, whereas VC increased (P = 0.01) plasma Fe concentrations. Linear decreases (P < 0.02) in marbling score, backfat thickness (BF), yield grade, and HCW were observed as dietary S increased; however, the addition of VC to the HS diet increased (P < 0.01) BF, marbling scores, and percentage of cattle grading Choice compared with HS without VC. In conclusion, supplementation of VC to cattle receiving the high S diet improved marbling scores; although the exact mechanism for this improvement is unknown, it may be related to greater circulating VC available for lipid metabolism in these cattle.

High-sulfur in beef cattle diets: A review

“…High S in the body has been identified as a potential cause in the development of oxidative stress, as evident by a depletion of glutathione (GSH; Truong et al, 2006;Pogge and Hansen, 2013), which may contribute to an oxidative environment postmortem. It is well established that a postmortem oxidative environment interferes with proteolysis thus hindering the tenderization process (Guttmann and Johnson, 1998;Lametsch et al, 2008;Rowe et al, 2004).…”

“…While it is well established that S negatively affects trace mineral status (Suttle, 1991), no research addresses the repercussions of high S diets on the integrity of the trace mineraldependent antioxidant enzymes. Pogge and Hansen (2013) However, while supplementation with antioxidants may decrease oxidative stress associated with high S diets, more research is needed to determine if cattle growth or carcass characteristics may be positively affected as well. Kung et al (2000) tested the effects of lasalocid and monensin (5 mg/L in culture fluid) on H 2 S production in vitro, and observed no effect of lasalocid but found that monensin increased the production of H 2 S. The culture fluid in this experiment contained 136 mg of S per L. However, when Quinn et al (2009) Smith et al (2010) are more likely to be encountered in vivo than that of Kung et al (2000).…”

“…In these studies, S-induced oxidative stress was noted by a decrease in reduced GSH relative to its oxidized form (GSSG) in cultured rat hepatocytes (Truong et al, 2006) or beef liver collected after steers received 0.55% S diets for 143 d (Pogge and Hansen, 2013). In both studies, the depletion of GSH by S suggests the importance of GSH 30 in detoxification of excess S. Depleting GSH may increase strain on other body antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and trace mineral-dependent enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; which, under normal conditions are able to neutralize radical species through the donation of electrons.…”

“…Exposure to high concentrations of S, and therefore H 2 S, has been identified as a potential culprit in the generation of oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo (Truong et al, 2006;Pogge and Hansen, 2013;Figure 3). In these studies, S-induced oxidative stress was noted by a decrease in reduced GSH relative to its oxidized form (GSSG) in cultured rat hepatocytes (Truong et al, 2006) or beef liver collected after steers received 0.55% S diets for 143 d (Pogge and Hansen, 2013).…”

Influence of sulfur on the fermentation characteristics of corn distiller's dried grains with solubles in in vitro culture

“…feedlot cattle (Smith et al 2013). However, high sulfur level in DDGS has become a potential limiting factor to its inclusion in cattle rations (Kwiatkowski et al 2006;Klopfenstein et al 2007) given that high sulfur content intake would exert a detrimental effect on animal performance and carcass quality Pogge and Hansen 2013), even the health status Pogge and Hansen 2013).…”