Short Term Effects of Dietary Boron on Mineral Status in Dairy Cows
Abstract
Aim of this study was to obtain knowledge on boron supplemented diet to mineral status of body fluids and feces in short term nutrition of dairy cattle. A total of 24 healthy Holstein dairy cows were used. The animals were fed with standard ration, and boron at three different doses was added to experimental’ diets as boron compound: borax, for 10 days.
Boron and other macro and trace minerals were determined in serum, milk, urine and feces samples taken on 0 and 11st days.
In this study, there were no overt signs of toxicosis, and a pivotal knowledge was obtained in dairy cattle fed with boron supplemented diet on boron absorption, excretion, and its interaction with other minerals. Boron could not completely absorb from gastrointestinal tract. Urine was the most important excretion way of boron. More less boron was also eliminated by milk. Boron levels in body fluids (serum and milk, p<0.000) were increasingly changed based on the dose.
Boron, among minerals, provided a striking increase for Ca (p<0.003) and Mg (p<0.028) levels in serum by increasing absorption of these minerals. This topic is worth evaluating as an alternative approach in the prevention of hypocalcemia in transition cows.
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Introduction
Today, most nutritionists do not consider a trace element essential unless it has a defined biochemical function in higher animals or humans (Nielsen, 2014a). Trace minerals have critical roles in the key interrelated systems of immune function, oxidative metabolism, and energy metabolism in ruminants. To date, the primary trace elements of interest in diets for dairy cattle have included Zn, Cu, Mn, and Se although data also support potentially important roles of Cr, Co, and Fe in diets (Overton and Yasui, 2014). In vitro, animal, and human experiments have shown that boron is a bioactive element in nutritional amounts whereas boron has received little attention in ruminant nutrition (Nielsen, 2014b; Fry et al., 2011). Boron appears to be of relatively low toxicity to animals. As in previous studies (Owen, 1944; Green and Weeth, 1977), inorganic boron is of low toxicity to cattle. There are many studies on energy, mineral and vitamin supplementation in transition cows in order to prevent production diseases. The objective of the study presented was to determine how dietary boron at different doses affects the distribution of macro and trace minerals in body fluids of dairy cattle.
Conclusion
Boron increases Ca and Mg absorption. This topic is worth evaluating as an alternative approach in the prevention of hypocalcemia in transition cows.