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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #192242

Title: SODIUM ZEOLITE A SUPPLEMENTATION TO DAIRY CALVES

Author
item TURNER, K - UNIV OF GEORGIA
item NIELSEN, B - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
item O'CONNOR, C - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
item ROSENSTEIN, D - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
item SCHOTT, H - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
item WOMACK, C - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
item Nielsen, Forrest - Frosty
item ORTH, M - MICHIGAN STATE UNIV

Submitted to: American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2006
Publication Date: 7/9/2006
Citation: Turner, K.K., Nielsen, B.D., O'Connor, C.I., Rosenstein, D.S., Schott, H., Womack, C.J., Nielsen, F.H., Orth, M.W. 2006. Sodium zeolite A supplementation to dairy calves [abstract]. Journal American Science. vol. 84, Suppl. 1/Journal Dairy Science. vol. 89, Suppl. 1. p.436-437.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sodium zeolite A (SZA), an aluminosilicate, has been used in a number of animal studies, but alterations in mineral metabolism and tissue composition have not been fully investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of SZA on mineral metabolism and tissue mineral composition in bull calves. At three days of age, twenty calves were placed according to birth order into one of two groups: SS, which received 0.05% BW SZA added to their milk replacer and CO, which received only milk replacer. Blood samples were taken on d 0, 30, and 60 for mineral analysis (Si, Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, P, Zn). Total collections of feces and urine were done on d 30 for mineral metabolism. On d 60 of the trial, calves were euthanized and samples were taken from numerous tissues for mineral analyses. Supplementation of SZA resulted in greater intakes of Si and Al (P<0.0001). There were no differences in Si retention and absorption between the groups (P<0.57). Plasma Si concentrations in both groups increased from d 0 to d 15, but decreased to below starting values on d 30 (P<0.05). Plasma Si concentrations were higher in SS calves on d 15 (P<0.05). Silicon concentrations were increased in the aorta, spleen, lung, muscle, and kidney of SS calves (P less than or equal to 0.05). Retention of Al was greater in SS calves (P=0.001). There were no changes in plasma Al concentrations in SS calves; however, all SS tissues analyzed accumulated Al (P less than or equal to 0.05). Although there was no difference in Mg retention or absorption, plasma Mg concentrations were decreased in SS calves and heart, kidney, liver and pancreas Mg concentrations were increased in SS calves(P<0.05), suggesting Mg was pulled from the blood and deposited in tissues. Treated calves tended to have decreased P absorption (P=0.09), possibly through the creation of non-absorbable aluminophosphates, and SS plasma P concentrations were decreased (P<0.05). However, there were no differences in P tissue mineral composition. Iron was the only mineral to decrease in SS tissues (P less than or equal to 0.05), suggesting an interference, possibly with Al. Sodium zeolite A alters mineral metabolism and tissue mineral composition of young dairy calves, presumably primarily through Al effects.