Effect of Parenteral Supplementation with Liposoluble Vitamins and Trace Minerals on Growth, Stress, Antioxidant Status and Immunity Biomarkers in Feedlot Cattle

Aims: weaning and transport are stressful events in receiving feedlot cattle. These events in-creased oxidative stress in cattle. For this reason, administration of vitamins and trace minerals associated with antioxidant properties is recommended at feedlot entry. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of parenteral supplementation with vitamins (A and E) and minerals (copper, zinc, selenium, and manganese) on days 1 and/or 7 after feedlot entry.

Methodology: heifers were assigned to one of four groups (n= 30); non- supplemented (CC), supplemented on day 1 and 7 (SS), and supplemented only on day 1 (SC) or 7 (CS). Blood parameters (cortisol, total antioxidant status -TAS-, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances -TBARS, haptoglobin -Hp- blood cell) and weight were recorded on day 1 and 21. Data were analyzed as a complete randomized design using a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments.

Results: there was an interaction (P ≤ 0.07) for daily gain, and cortisol concentration. Heifers in the CC group had reduced daily gain compared with the other 3 treatments. Cortisol concentration was the lowest for heifers in the CC and the highest in the CS, with the other 2 treatments in between. Groups that received day 7 supplementation (CS and SS) increased the total antioxidant status (TAS; P = 0.01) and had lower lipid peroxidation (TBARS; P = 0.01).

Conclusion: supplementation with vitamins and minerals at feedlot entry improved daily gain. The antioxidant effect seems to be evident when considering day 7 supplementation since CS and SS groups showed greater TAS capacity and lower TBARS concentration.