Effects of feeding synthetic zeolite A during the prepartum period on serum mineral concentration, oxidant status, and performance of multiparous Holstein cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding synthetic zeolite A for 3 wk before expected calving on peripartal serum mineral concentrations, hypocalcemia, oxidant status, and performance. Holstein cows (n = 55) entering their second or greater lactations were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 dietary treatments starting 21 d before expected calving: control (CON: 40% corn silage, 33% wheat straw, and 27% concentrate; n = 29) or experimental [EXP: CON plus zeolite A (X-Zelit, Protekta Inc., Lucknow, ON, Canada/Vilofoss, Graasten, Denmark; n = 26) at an inclusion rate of 3.3% of dry matter, targeting 500 g/d as-fed]. Cows were fed the same postpartum diet and housed in individual tiestalls through 28 d in milk. Cows fed EXP had higher serum Ca concentrations as parturition approached and during the immediate postpartum period. Serum P concentrations were lower for the EXP-fed cows during the prepartum period and the first 2 d of lactation, whereas serum Mg concentrations were lower than those of the CON-fed cows only during the immediate periparturient period. Cows fed EXP had decreased prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) from d −1 through 3 relative to day of parturition, with the largest difference occurring within the first day postpartum. Prepartum dry matter intake tended to be decreased and rumination was decreased in cows fed EXP; however; postpartum dry matter intake, rumination, milk yield, milk component yield, and colostrum measurements did not differ between treatments. Cows fed EXP tended to have increased hazard of pregnancy by 150 d in milk when controlling for parity compared with CON-fed cows; potential reproductive benefits merit further study. This study demonstrated that zeolite A supplementation during the prepartum period results in markedly improved serum Ca concentrations around parturition and similar postpartum performance compared with controls and is effective at decreasing hypocalcemia in multiparous Holstein cows.

Effects of oral supplementation with organically modified clinoptilolite during prepartum period on colostrum quality in primiparous dairy cows

“…The current study has showed that oral supplementation with 150 g/day of organically modified clinoptilolite improved colostrum quality. Although results of several research groups showed a beneficial effect of zeolite supplementation, the results are difficult to compare directly (Papaioannou et al ., 2005; Kerwin et al ., 2019). It has been reported that the extent of performance enhancement effects is related to the types of zeolite, their physico-chemical properties, purity in terms of the content of clinoptilolite, as well as to the supplementation level used in the diets (Papaioannou et al ., 2005).…”

“…In addition, the particle size of the zeolitic material, crystallite size and the degree of aggregation, as well as the porosity of individual particles strongly affect its ion exchange, adsorption and catalytic properties (Papaioannou et al ., 2005). In a recent study it was shown that the use of synthetic zeolite A in the prepartum period of cows in second and greater lactation did not influence colostral IgG concentration and IgG mass (Kerwin et al ., 2019). According to data reviewed in Papaioannou et al .…”

“…(2005) we believe that the discrepancy between our result and results of Kerwin et al . (2019) lies in the variations in the experimental approach: use of different zeolites and use of cows with different lactations/parities.…”

Symposium review: Transition cow calcium homeostasis—Health effects of hypocalcemia and strategies for prevention

“…Zeolite A binds Ca, P i , and Mg in the rumen and thus creates a diet low in Ca (Thilsing et al, 2006). Recent studies have shown that cows fed zeolite A for 2 to 3 wk prepartum have increased serum Ca concentrations during the immediate peripartum period, but none reported differences in postpartum performance (Thilsing-Hansen et al, 2002;Roche et al, 2018;Kerwin et al, 2019). However, all studies enrolled a small number of cows, and larger field trials evaluating health and long-term production when using this method of Ca modulation are necessary.…”

“…However, all studies enrolled a small number of cows, and larger field trials evaluating health and long-term production when using this method of Ca modulation are necessary. Additional unanswered questions remain regarding the prepartum feeding of zeolite A, including the length of time for which it continues to bind Ca after cessation of feeding, potential interactions with supplemental administration of oral Ca, and the clinical relevance of the concurrent hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia seen during and after feeding (Kerwin et al, 2019).…”