Skip to main content

The Effect of Maternal Supplementation of Zinc, Selenium, and Cobalt as Slow-Release Ruminal Bolus in Late Pregnancy on Some Blood Metabolites and Performance of Ewes and Their Lambs

Biological Trace Element Research volume 187, pages 403–410 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the supplementation of a slow-release bolus of zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and cobalt (Co) at late gestation (6 week prepartum) on performance and some blood metabolites of Mehraban ewes and their lambs until weaning. Seventy pregnant ewes, 6 weeks prior to expected lambing, were randomly divided into two groups (35 heads each) including (1) control group and (2) slow-release bolus group. Blood samples of ewes were obtained on day 10 prepartum and 45 and 90 days postpartum, and milk samples were collected on day 45. Blood samples of lambs were collected on days 10, 45, and 90. Body weight at birth and weaning and average daily gain were higher and percentage of mortality and white muscle disease rate were lower in lambs whose mothers were given a bolus (P < 0.05). Slow-release bolus administration increased serum alkaline phosphatase and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity, plasma concentrations of Zn, Se, and vitamin B12 in ewes and their lambs (P < 0.05). In addition, serum creatine phosphokinase activity of lambs whose mothers were given bolus was lower (P < 0.05). Serum concentration of T3 in bolus given ewes and their lambs was higher (P < 0.05) and serum T4 concentration was lower (P < 0.05). Zinc, Se, and vitamin B12 concentrations in milk were significantly higher in treated ewes (P < 0.05). Obtained results showed that maternal supplementation of zinc, selenium, and cobalt as slow-release ruminal bolus in late pregnancy improved some mineral status of ewes and their lambs until weaning and led to higher body weights of lambs at weaning.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Wettemann R, Lents C, Ciccioli N, White F, Rubio I (2003) Nutritional-and suckling-mediated anovulation in beef cows. J Anim Sci 81(14_suppl_2):E48–E59

    Google Scholar 

  2. Wu G, Bazer F, Wallace J, Spencer T (2006) Board-invited review: intrauterine growth retardation: implications for the animal sciences. J Anim Sci 84(9):2316–2337

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Suttle NF (2010) Mineral nutrition of livestock. Cabi

  4. Rock M, Kincaid R, Carstens G (2001) Effects of prenatal source and level of dietary selenium on passive immunity and thermometabolism of newborn lambs. Small Rumin Res 40(2):129–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Hatfield P, Snowder G, Head W, Glimp H, Stobart R, Besser T (1995) Production by ewes rearing single or twin lambs: effects of dietary crude protein percentage and supplemental zinc methionine. J Anim Sci 73(5):1227–1238

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Monem UA, El-Shahat K (2011) Effect of different dietary levels of inorganic zinc oxide on ovarian activities, reproductive performance of Egyptian Baladi ewes and growth of their lambs. Bul J Vet Med 14(2):116–123

    Google Scholar 

  7. Quirk M, Norton B (1987) The relationship between the cobalt nutrition of ewes and the vitamin B12 status of ewes and their lambs. Crop Pasture Sci 38(6):1071–1082

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Alloway BJ (2004) Zinc in soils and crop nutrition. International Zinc Association Brussels, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fadayifar A, Aliarabi H, Tabatabaei MM, Zamani P, Bahari A, Malecki M, Dezfoulian AH (2012) Improvement in lamb performance on barley based diet supplemented with zinc. Livest Sci 144(3):285–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Mohri M, Ehsani A, Norouzian M, Bami MH, Seifi HA (2011) Parenteral selenium and vitamin E supplementation to lambs: hematology, serum biochemistry, performance, and relationship with other trace elements. Biol Trace Elem Res 139(3):308–316

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Alimohamady R, Aliarabi H, Bahari A, Dezfoulian AH (2013) Influence of different amounts and sources of selenium supplementation on performance, some blood parameters, and nutrient digestibility in lambs. Biol Trace Elem Res 154(1):45–54

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Bishehsari S, Tabatabaei MM, Aliarabi H, Alipour D, Zamani P, Ahmadi A (2010) Effect of dietary cobalt supplementation on plasma and rumen metabolites in Mehraban lambs. Small Rumin Res 90(1):170–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kojouri G, Shirazi A (2007) Serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mo and Co in newborn lambs following systemic administration of vitamin E and selenium to the pregnant ewes. Small Rumin Res 70(2):136–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Kendall N, Mackenzie A, Telfer S (2001) Effect of a copper, cobalt and selenium soluble glass bolus given to grazing sheep. Livest Sci 68(1):31–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. McDowell LR (1992) Minerals in animal and human nutrition. Academic Press Inc.

  16. Kendall N, McMullen S, Green A, Rodway R (2000) The effect of a zinc, cobalt and selenium soluble glass bolus on trace element status and semen quality of ram lambs. Anim Reprod Sci 62(4):277–283

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kendall N, Mackenzie A, Telfer S (2012) The trace element and humoral immune response of lambs administered a zinc, cobalt and selenium soluble glass bolus. Livest Sci 148(1):81–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zervas G (1988) Treatment of dairy sheep with soluble glass boluses containing copper, cobalt and selenium. Anim Feed Sci Technol 19(1):79–83

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Abdelrahman MM, Aljumaah RS, Khan RU (2017) Effects of prepartum sustained-release trace elements ruminal bolus on performance, colustrum composition and blood metabolites in Najdi ewes. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24(10):9675–9680

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Horwitz W, Horwitz W (2000) Official methods of analysis of AOAC International. vol C/630.240 O3/2000

  21. Paglia DE, Valentine WN (1967) Studies on the quantitative and qualitative characterization of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase. J Lab Clin Med 70(1):158–169

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. SAS S (2004) STAT 9.1 user’s guide. SAS Institute Inc, Cary, pp 1291–1320

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hatfield P, Snowder G, Glimp H (1992) The effects of chelated zinc methionine on feedlot lamb performance, cost of gain, and carcass characteristics. Sheep research journal (USA)

  24. Gabryszuk M, Klewiec J (2002) Effect of injecting 2-and 3-year-old ewes with selenium and selenium–vitamin E on reproduction and rearing of lambs. Small Rumin Res 43(2):127–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Kendall N, Mackenzie A, Telfer S (1997) Effect of a soluble cobalt, selenium and zinc glass bolus on humoral immune response and trace element status in lambs. In: Trace elements in man and animals-9: Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Trace Elements in Man and Animals. NRC Research Press, Ottawa, pp 442–443

  26. Awati M, Awati AM (2014) Sedation in ICUs (384)

  27. Van Niekerk F, Van Niekerk C, Heine E, Coetzee J (1990) Concentrations of plasma copper and zinc and blood selenium in ewes and lambs of Merino, Dohne Merino and SA Mutton Merino sheep. S Afr J Anim Sci 20(1):21–26

    Google Scholar 

  28. White C, Chandler B, Peter D (1991) Zinc supplementation of lactating ewes and weaned lambs grazing improved mediterranean pastures. Anim Prod Sci 31(2):183–189

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Zali A, Ganjkhanlou M (2009) Effect of zinc from zinc sulfate on trace mineral concentrations of milk in Varamini ewes. Afr J Biotechnol 8(22)

  30. Vergnes H, Courdouhji M, Guelfi J, Grozdea J, Lamand M (1990) Effect of zinc deficiency in lambs on plasma and neutrophil alkaline phosphatase. Small Rumin Res 3(2):167–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Nagalakshmi D, Dhanalakshmi K, Himabindu D (2009) Effect of dose and source of supplemental zinc on immune response and oxidative enzymes in lambs. Vet Res Commun 33(7):631–644

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Phipps RH, Grandison AS, Jones AK, Juniper DT, Ramos-Morales E, Bertin G (2008) Selenium supplementation of lactating dairy cows: effects on milk production and total selenium content and speciation in blood, milk and cheese. Animal 2(11):1610–1618

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Kachuee R, Moeini M, Souri M (2014) Effects of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation during late pregnancy on colostrum and serum Se status, performance and passive immunity in Merghoz goats. Anim Prod Sci 54(8):1016–1022

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Erdoğan S, Karadaş F, Yılmaz A, Karaca S (2017) The effect of organic selenium in feeding of ewes in late pregnancy on selenium transfer to progeny. Rev Bras Zootec 46(2):147–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Hefnawy AE, Youssef S, Aguilera PV, Rodríguez CV, Pérez J (2014) The relationship between selenium and T3 in selenium supplemented and nonsupplemented ewes and their lambs. Vet Med Int 2014

  36. Zachara B, Wardak C, Didkowski W, Maciag A, Marchaluk E (1993) Changes in blood selenium and glutathione concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity in human pregnancy. Gynecol Obstet Investig 35(1):12–17

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Pechova A, Misurova L, Pavlata L, Dvorak R (2008) Monitoring of changes in selenium concentration in goat milk during short-term supplementation of various forms of selenium. Biol Trace Elem Res 121(2):180–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-007-8033-3

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Pechova A, Sevcikova L, Pavlata L, Dvorak R (2012) The effect of various forms of selenium supplied to pregnant goats on selected blood parameters and on the concentration of Se in urine and blood of kids at the time of weaning. Vet Med 57(8):394–403

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Petrera F, Calamari L, Bertin G (2009) Effect of either sodium selenite or Se–yeast supplementation on selenium status and milk characteristics in dairy goats. Small Rumin Res 82(2):130–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Misurova L, Pavlata L, Pechova A, Dvorak R (2009) Selenium metabolism in goats–maternal transfer of selenium to newborn kids. Vet Med 54(3):125–130

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Lacetera N, Bernabucci U, Ronchi B, Nardone A (1999) The effects of injectable sodium selenite on immune function and milk production in Sardinian sheep receiving adequate dietary selenium. Vet Res 30(4):363–370

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Arthur JR, Beckett GJ, Mitchell JH (1999) The interactions between selenium and iodine deficiencies in man and animals. Nutr Res Rev 12(01):55–73

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Köhrle J (2000) The deiodinase family: selenoenzymes regulating thyroid hormone availability and action. Cell Mol Life Sci 57(13–14):1853–1863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Abou-Zeina H, Hassan S, Sabra H, Hamam A (2009) Trials for elevating adverse effect of heat stress in buffaloes with emphasis on metabolic status and fertility. Glob Vet 3(1):51–62

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Liu N, Liu P, Xu Q, Zhu L, Zhao Z, Wang Z, Li Y, Feng W, Zhu L (2001) Elements in erythrocytes of population with different thyroid hormone status. Biol Trace Elem Res 84(1–3):37–43

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Pekary AE, Lukaski HC, Mena I, Hershman JM (1991) Processing of TRH precursor peptides in rat brain and pituitary is zinc dependent. Peptides 12(5):1025–1032

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  47. El-Tohamy M (2002) Effect of single and combined zinc-selenium deficiencies of rams. In: XXII World Buiatrics Congress, Hannover

  48. Ruz M, Codoceo J, Galgani J, Muñoz L, Gras N, Muzzo S, Leiva L, Bosco C (1999) Single and multiple selenium-zinc-iodine deficiencies affect rat thyroid metabolism and ultrastructure. J Nutr 129(1):174–180

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Radostits OM, Gay C, Hinchcliff KW, Constable PD (2007) A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats. Vet Med 10:2045–2050

    Google Scholar 

  50. Faixova Z, Faix Š, Leng Ľ, Vaczi P, Makova Z, Szaboova R (2007) Haematological, blood and rumen chemistry changes in lambs following supplementation with Se-yeast. Acta Vet Brno 76(1):3–8

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Del Razo-Rodriguez O, Ramirez-Bribiesca J, Lopez-Arellano R, Revilla-Vazquez A, Gonzalez-Munoz S, Cobos-Peralta M, Hernandez-Calva L, McDowell L (2013) Effects of dietary level of selenium and grain on digestive metabolism in lambs. Czech J Anim Sci 58(6):253–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Berger LL, Cunha TJ (1993) Salt and trace minerals for livestock, poultry and other animals. Salt Institute Alexandria, VA, USA

  53. Ramos J, Saez T, Bueso J, Sanz M, Fernandez A (1994) Vitamin B12 levels in ewe colostrum and milk and in lamb serum. Vet Res 25(4):405–409

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Andrews E, Stephenson B (1966) Vitamin B12, in the blood of grazing cobalt-deficient sheep. N Z J Agric Res 9(3):491–507

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

All funds were provided by Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran, as a Ph.D. dissertation program funding.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Hassan Aliarabi, Reza Alimohamady & Amir Hossein Dezfoulian

  2. Department of Animal science, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Islamic Republic of Iran

    Amir Fadayifar

Authors
  1. Hassan Aliarabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Amir Fadayifar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Reza Alimohamady
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Amir Hossein Dezfoulian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hassan Aliarabi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aliarabi, H., Fadayifar, A., Alimohamady, R. et al. The Effect of Maternal Supplementation of Zinc, Selenium, and Cobalt as Slow-Release Ruminal Bolus in Late Pregnancy on Some Blood Metabolites and Performance of Ewes and Their Lambs. Biol Trace Elem Res 187, 403–410 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1409-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1409-8

Keywords

  • Sheep
  • Trace minerals
  • Controlled release bolus
  • Vitamin B12
  • Serum enzymes