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Title: EFFECT OF BREED, INTAKE, AND CARCASS COMPOSITION ON THE STATUS OF SEVERAL MACRO AND TRACE MINERALS OF ADULT BEEF CATTLE

Author
item Littledike, E
item WITTUM THOMAS E - 5438-01-35
item Jenkins, Thomas

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The objective was to determine the effect of breed, intake, and carcass composition on the status of liver levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), and serum levels of Cu, Zn, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) of 118 mature cows representing nine breeds of cattle. Breeds used were Angus, Braunvieh, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Red Poll, Pinzgauer, and Simmental. The cows were fed one of four energy intakes. A ground alfalfa, corn, and corn silage diet was fed for up to 5 yr. There was no relationship between liver and serum concentrations of Cu, a negative correlation existed between liver and serum concentrations of Zn and a positive correlation existed between liver concentrations of Cu and Zn. Concentrations of serum Ca were positively correlated with serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mg, but negatively correlated with liver Fe. Liver Cu was higher for the Limousin breed than all others, except Angus. Liver Zn concentrations were higher for Limousin than Pinzgauer, but no other breed differences were observed. Liver Cu concentration was not affected by daily intake level, but liver Zn concentration increased with increased daily intake. Liver Fe concentration decreased with increased daily intake. No breed differences in serum concentrations of Cu or Zn were observed. There was a strong association of carcass lipid (%) with liver and serum Cu concentrations. These results indicate that breed differences may exist in Cu metabolism and that carcass composition may affect Cu concentrations in both liver and serum.

Technical Abstract: The objective was to determine the effect of breed, intake, and carcass composition on the status of liver levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), and serum levels of Cu, Zn, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) of 118 mature cows representing nine breeds of cattle. Breeds used were Angus, Braunvieh, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Red Poll, Pinzgauer, and Simmental. The cows were fed one of four energy intakes. A ground alfalfa, corn, and corn silage diet was fed for up to 5 yr. There was no relationship between liver and serum concentrations of Cu, a negative correlation existed between liver and serum concentrations of Zn and a positive correlation existed between liver concentrations of Cu and Zn. Concentrations of serum Ca were positively correlated with serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mg, but negatively correlated with liver Fe. Liver Cu was higher for the Limousin breed than all others, except Angus. Liver Zn concentrations were higher for Limousin than Pinzgauer, but no other breed differences were observed. Liver Cu concentration was not affected by daily intake level, but liver Zn concentration increased with increased daily intake. Liver Fe concentration decreased with increased daily intake. No breed differences in serum concentrations of Cu or Zn were observed. There was a strong association of carcass lipid (%) with liver and serum Cu concentrations. These results indicate that breed differences may exist in Cu metabolism and that carcass composition may affect Cu concentrations in both liver and serum.