The effect of biotin and zinc supplementation on dairy cow hoof health and milk quality

Abstract

The objective of this field study was to evaluate the effect of biotin and zinc sulphate (ZnSO 4) supplementation on hoof health and milk quality in lactating dairy cows. Clinically lame (n = 31) and healthy (n = 28) cows were selected on the basis of locomotion scores (LS), and were randomly assigned to either the 'treatment group' [clinically lame treatment (CLT) = 17 and healthy treatment (HT) = 15; supplemented with 1 g of 2% biotin and 4 g of ZnSO 4 daily for 4 mo] or the 'control group' [clinically lame control (CLC) = 14 and healthy control (HC) = 13]. Locomotion scores, body condition scores, and milk quality and yield were estimated before and after the end of the study. Also, hoof trimming was undertaken before and after the supplementation period, and claw lesions were observed for type and severity. Sole thickness (ST) was measured by ultrasonography in some of the back claws in treatment and control cows. Data were analyzed using likelihood ratio Chi-square and paired t tests. At the end of the study, there was a significant improvement in the LS (P<0.001); heel horn erosion score (P<0.05); overgrown sole score (P<0.001); and sole haemorrhage score (P<0.01) in the CLT cows. Some of these lesion scores deteriorated in the HC cows. Sole thickness increased in the CLT cows (P<0.05), whereas it decreased in the CLC cows (P<0.05). The milk somatic cell count (SCC) decreased (P<0.05), whereas milk yield (P<0.001) and fat content (P<0.05) increased in the CLT cows. A significant decline in the average SCC (P<0.05) in the HT was also observed. We concluded that concurrent supplementation with biotin and ZnSO 4 seems to be beneficial for correction and prevention of claw lesions, as well as improvement of milk quantity and quality in clinically lame dairy cows.

Impact of Nutrients on the Hoof Health in Cattle

“…In the current intensive production system, the feeding for cows includes a highly concentrated feed ration. Sudden changes in nutrition, especially an increase in easily hydrolysable carbohydrates and/or a decrease in the quality and amount of fiber in the feed, is usually the main cause of laminitis [ 6 , 9 , 15 , 19 , 26 , 35 , 36 , 40 , 81 , 92 , 93 , 95 , 99 , 100 ] and it is associated with dermatitis digitalis [ 15 ]. Farms on which heifers were fed a ration of maize silage had a higher locomotion score than those on which they were fed a ration without a proportion of maize silage [ 81 , 92 , 101 ].…”

“…The amino acids cysteine and methionine, which contain sulphur, are essential for promoting the structural and functional integrity of the hoof, as they are involved in the formation of a disulphide bond during keratinization [ 19 , 66 , 73 , 93 , 105 ]. Microbial protein is an essential source of methionine, which is the basis for the construction of the hoof horn [ 2 , 107 ].…”

“…Harder horn has been shown to contain higher concentrations of zinc when compared to softer-heel horns, and lame animals also have significantly lower Zn concentrations in the horn as compared to healthy animals [ 117 ]. Lower contents of zinc [ 19 , 27 ], copper, manganese, and calcium were also detected in the serum and hair of lame dairy cows [ 27 ], as well as iodine, iron, and selenium [ 10 ]. Significantly increased concentrations of chromium (Cr) were also detected in lame dairy cows, and the levels of molybdenum (Mo) showed a decreasing trend [ 10 ].…”

“…Zinc is crucial for hoof formation, providing catalytic, structural, and regulatory functions in keratinization [ 4 , 27 ], playing a considerable role in the creation of structural keratin proteins [ 27 , 42 , 73 , 103 , 115 ] and regulating calmodulin and responsible for the transfer of calcium ions to the cytosol of keratinocytes, which is relevant in the last stage of keratinocyte development [ 19 , 93 ]. Zinc is significant for maintaining the health and integrity of the skin due to its role in cell repair and replacement and it plays a crucial role in wound healing [ 65 , 73 , 103 , 114 , 115 , 118 ].…”

“…Lameness is described as a clinical symptom, which is recognizable by a change in locomotion, usually associated with lesions of the pelvic limbs. More than 90% of diagnosed lesions affect the distal part of the limb [ 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]; however, the resulting lesions are not only a welfare problem, but they also affect production and profit [ 8 , 14 , 15 , 19 , 21 , 22 ]. Dairy cows that are affected by limb diseases have lower dry matter intake and milk yield [ 3 , 4 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 16 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], reduced fertility [ 3 , 4 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], and they have an increased risk of culling [ 3 , 4 , 11 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , ...…”