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Effects of Copper and Zinc Supplementation on Weight Gain and Hematological Parameters in Pre-weaning Calves

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Abstract

Cow-calf operations may be affected by trace mineral deficiencies, particularly copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) deficiency, which may decrease the calf daily weight gain and alter hematological parameters. We evaluated the effect of Cu and Zn supplementation on pre-weaning calves (n = 40; 92 ± 6 kg initial body weight) from the Salado River basin, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Calves were divided into four groups (n = 10 each) and subcutaneously administered 0.3 mg/kg Cu (Cu group), 1 mg/kg Zn (Zn group), Cu and Zn together (Cu + Zn group), and sterile saline solution (control group) every 40 days for 120 days. Plasma Cu and Zn concentrations, hematological parameters, and weight were recorded every 40 days. A completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial treatment design was used and data were analyzed with a mixed model for repeated measures over time. Cu and Zn were detected in plasma after the second sampling. Cu × Zn interaction was significant (p = 0.09), being Cu concentration higher in the Cu + Zn than in the Cu group. Differences in weight gain (Zn × time interaction; p < 0.01) were observed in the Zn but not in the Cu group (p > 0.1). On the other hand, none of the treatments altered any of the hematological parameters assessed (p > 0.1). Our results show the risk of lower weight gain due to Zn deficiency in pre-weaning calves raised in the Salado River basin.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank A. Di Maggio for manuscript correction and edition and to Dr. Darío Piacentini for edetate Cu and Zn solutions.

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the National Program of Incentives to Teaching and Research, Secretary of University Policies, Ministry of Education of Argentina (grant no. 11/V204, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata). The sponsor had no involvement in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data presented in this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Nutrición Mineral, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 60 y 118, 1900, La Plata, Argentina

    Guillermo Alberto Mattioli, Diana Esther Rosa, Alejandro Enrique Relling, Esteban Galarza & Luis Emilio Fazzio

  2. Biogenésis Bagó, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Esteban Turic

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  1. Guillermo Alberto Mattioli
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  2. Diana Esther Rosa
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  3. Esteban Turic
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  4. Alejandro Enrique Relling
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  5. Esteban Galarza
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  6. Luis Emilio Fazzio
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Contributions

G.A.M. and L.E.F. conceived and designed the experiments; D.E.R., and E.M.G. conducted the experiments; A.E.R. analyzed the data; E.T., G.A.M., and L.E.F. critically wrote and revised the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Guillermo Alberto Mattioli.

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Mattioli, G.A., Rosa, D.E., Turic, E. et al. Effects of Copper and Zinc Supplementation on Weight Gain and Hematological Parameters in Pre-weaning Calves. Biol Trace Elem Res 185, 327–331 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-017-1239-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-017-1239-0

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