Effects of parenteral supplementation with minerals and vitamins on weaning calves

MATTIOLI GA; ROSA DE; TURIC E; PICCO SJ; RAGGIO SJ; MINERVINO AHH; FAZZIO LE

Animals

MDPI Academic Open Access Publishing

Lugar: Basilea; Año: 2020 vol. 10 p. 1 - 9

2076-2615

We aimed to evaluate the effects of injectable minerals and vitamins supplementation in weaning calves subjected to a low-stress (fence-line) weaning system. Seven-month-old Aberdeen Angus female calves (n = 40, 152 ±11 kg body weight) from a selenium-deficient area for extensive cattle production on natural grass were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 20 each). One group received subcutaneous supplementation with copper, zinc, selenium, manganese and vitamins A and E (SG), and the other was given sterile saline solution (CG). The animals were supplemented twice, before weaning (day -7) and on the day of weaning (day 0). Total antioxidant status (TAS), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, body weight, and average weight gain (AWG) were evaluated. Additionally, antibody titers were assessed prior and after each immunization with a vaccine containing bovine herpes virus type 1 (BoHV-1). At day +30, body weight (p = 0.03) were higher in SG, whereas TAS (p = 0.02) and GPx (p = 0.0038) activity were lower in CG and remained constant in SG. Antibody titers increased in SG and CG following immunization, being higher in SG on days +30 and +60 days (p < 0.05). In conclusion, parenteral supplementation of minerals and vitamins with antioxidant effects in a low-stress weaning system prevented the decrease of TAS and GPx activity, improved antibody response and had positive effects on body weight.