Effects of boric acid supplementation on bone health in crossbred calves under tropical condition

INTRODUCTION

Boron (B) is thought to play key role in proper bone growth and development as well as have some role in regulation of minerals such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) which act synergistically with vitamin D.

OBJECTIVE

Present study was planned in two phases to assess the effect of optimum and supranutritional levels of (B) in the form of boric acid (BA) supplementation on bone health of growing cross bred calves.

METHOD

During Phase-1, twenty four male crossbred calves were blocked into four groups (n = 6) on the basis of their body weight (154.83 ± 8.5 kg), age (7-9 months) and were supplemented with 0 (C), 2.6 (T-1), 5.4 (T-2) and 10.7 (T-3) g BA for appropriate B (0.175 adjustment factor to calculate B form BA) consumption i.e. 0, 100, 200 and 400 ppm in each group respectively, for 90 days. During phase 2, twenty-one male crossbred calves were divided into 3 groups (n = 7) on the basis of their body weight (103.76 ± 4.34 kg) and age (5-8 months). All the groups were on similar dietary regimen with additional supplementation of boric acid as 0 g (control); 3.6 g (200 ppm B; T-1) and 10.8 g (600 ppm B; T-2), respectively for a period of 120 d.

RESULTS

From the first experiment it is reported that plasma levels of bovine alkaline phosphatase (BALP), type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTx) and Ca were significantly (P < 0.05) affected in T-2 and T-3 groups as compared to T-1 and control groups. Whereas, plasma osteocalcin (OCN) concentration was found to be higher in T-2 and T-3 groups as compared to control group. However, plasma concentrations (ng/mL) of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) remained unaltered due to dietary treatments. Based on the results, another experiment was conducted to validate the above findings and further to determine the effect of still higher i.e supranutritional levels of BA supplementation on bone health of calves. Results revealed that supplementation of BA in T-2 group had no beneficial effect on bone health as the plasma concentration of BALP, OCN, NTx, 25 (OH) vitamin D and Ca as compared to T-1 group in phase 2. Other possible attributes of bone health i.e. plasma concentration of Mg, P, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcitonin were not affected by BA supplementation at any levels.

CONCLUSION

Overall from present study it can be concluded that supplementation of boric acid 3.6 g/d (equivalent to 200 ppm B) in the diet of growing animals has positive effect on bone health related biomarkers (OCN, NTx and BALP) and supplementation of supranutritional level of BA i.e. 10.8 g (equivalent to 600 ppm B) level had neither additional beneficial nor harmful effect on bone health of calves.

Alopecia in Belgian Blue crossbred calves: a case series

Background

Alopecia is defined as the partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows. Alopecia secondary to an infectious disease or parasitic infestation is commonly seen in cattle. It can also have metabolic causes, for example in newborn calves after a disease event such as diarrhoea. In the article, the investigation of a herd problem of acquired alopecia in Belgian Blue (BB) crossbred calves is described.

Case presentation

Several BB crossbred calves had presented with moderate to severe non-pruritic alopecia in a single small herd located in Southern Germany. The referring veterinarian had ruled out infectious causes, including parasitic infection and had supplemented calves with vitamins (vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, and K3) orally. Results of the diagnostic workup at the Clinic for Ruminants are presented for three affected calves and findings from a farm visit are discussed. Because of these investigations, an additional four calves were brought to the referral clinic within the first week of life, and before onset of alopecia, in order to study the course of the condition; however, these calves never developed any signs of alopecia during their clinic stay.

Conclusions

Because all other plausible differential diagnoses were ruled out during our investigation, we concluded that the documented alopecia was due to malabsorption of dietary fat and consecutive disruption of lipid metabolism leading to telogen or anagen effluvium. In this particular case, this was caused by a mixing error of milk replacer in conjunction with insufficiently tempered water. We conclude that nutritional, management or environmental factors alone can lead to moderate to severe alopecia in calves in the absence of a prior or concurrent disease event or infectious cause.

Inorganic Vanadium Supplementation in Crossbred Calves: Effects on Antioxidant Status, Immune Response and Haemato-Biochemical Attributes

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of inorganic vanadium (V) supplementation on antioxidant enzymes, immune status, and haemato-biochemical attributes of growing crossbred calves. Twenty-four male Karan Fries calves (Tharparkar × Holstein Friesian) (initial body mass 72.83 ± 2.5 kg; age 3-9 month) were randomly allocated to four groups: the control (received basal diet devoid of supplemental V), the 3 ppm (received basal diet with 3 mg/kg V), the 6 ppm (received basal diet with 6 mg/kg V) and the 9 ppm group (received basal diet with 9 mg/kg V). All the calves were fed for 150 days as per ICAR (2013) feeding standards to meet their nutrient requirements for 500 g growth rate/day. Peripheral blood samples were collected at the start of experiment and subsequently at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days post-V supplementation for determination of antioxidant enzyme activity, immunological parameters and haemato-biochemical attributes. Results indicated that dietary supplementation of V did not affect daily gain, feed intake and haematological parameters. Crossbred calves fed with 9 mg V/kg diet showed reduced (P < 0.05) plasma total cholesterol concentration; however, plasma total protein and glucose concentration remained unaltered. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity as well as immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in group supplemented with 9 mg V/kg DM; however, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activity and total plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration were similar in all experimental group. Dietary V supplementation showed a negative relation with plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration, whereas non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration remained unaltered among all groups. Plasma V level increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary V levels without affecting levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn. In conclusion, a dietary addition of 9 mg V/kg DM reduced cholesterol content and improved antioxidant and immune response in growing crossbred calves.

Influence of Feeding Inorganic Vanadium on Growth Performance, Endocrine Variables and Biomarkers of Bone Health in Crossbred Calves

The nutritional essentialities of transition element vanadium (V) as micro-nutrient in farm animals have not yet been established, though in rat model, vanadium as vanadate has been reported to exert insulin-mimetic effect and shown to be needed for proper development of bones. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of V supplementation on growth performance, plasma hormones and bone health status in calves. Twenty-four crossbred calves (body weight 72.83 ± 2.5 kg; age 3-9 months) were blocked in four groups and randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 6) on body weight and age basis. Experimental animals were kept on similar feeding regimen except that different groups were supplemented with either 0, 3, 6 or 9 ppm inorganic V/kg DM. Effect of supplementation during 150-day experimental period was observed on feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, body measures, endocrine variables, plasma glucose and biomarkers of bone health status. Supplementation of V did not change average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency and body measures during the experimental period. During the post-V supplementation period plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxin (T₄) concentrations were increased and observed highest in 9 mg V/kg DM fed calves; however, levels of insulin, glucose, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin hormones remained similar among calves fed on basal or V-supplemented diets. Bone alkaline phosphatase (Bone-ALP) concentration was increased (P < 0.05); however, plasma protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) level decreased (P < 0.05) in 6 and 9 mg V/kg DM supplemented groups. Plasma hydroxyproline (Hyp) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) concentration were unchanged by V supplementation. Blood V concentration showed positive correlation with supplemental V levels. These results suggest that V may play a role in modulation of the action of certain endocrine variables and biomarkers of bone health status in growing crossbred calves.

Heat stress and effect of shade materials on hormonal and behavior response of dairy cattle: a review

In tropical countries, at high temperatures, several physiological rearrangements occur in cows as they attempt to facilitate heat dissipation and/or reduce metabolic heat production. Following exposure to heat, cattle appear to acclimatize within 2-7 weeks. The failure of homeostasis at high temperatures may lead to reduced productivity or even death. The situation is even worse when humidity adds to high temperature. Livestock with elevated body temperature exhibit lower DMI and growth with less efficiency, reducing profitability for dairy farms in hot and humid climates. Shading of feed and water also offers production advantages. Although several elaborate methods for reducing heat stress in cows have been reported, simple shade materials appear to be the most cost-effective methods that are currently applicable to tropical developing countries. Different materials are being used to provide shade during warm weather. The shade material determines the microclimate-it should be light, strong, durable, weatherproof, good looking and a bad conductor of heat, and free from tendency to condense moisture inside. This review discusses various shade materials and their advantages and disadvantages in different situations.