Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Publication
    Evaluation of the need of copper supplementation in intensively reared beef cattle
    The aim of this investigation was to evaluate whether, in the nutritional management of commercial feedlots of NW Spain based mainly on concentrate feed from international raw materials, copper (Cu) supplementation is justified to maintain the physiological requirements. This was done by evaluating blood Cu parameters (serum Cu, whole blood Cu and serum caeruloplasmin), haematological (red blood cells, microhematocrit, haemoglobin, white blood cells, and thrombocytes), productive parameters (initial and final live weight, feed intake, average daily gain, carcass weight and performance and internal organs weight) and organic Cu accumulation at slaughter (liver, kidney, muscle, spleen and brain) in intensive beef cattle that received a standard diet with 15. mg/kg of Cu sulphate (Cu supplemented group, n = 10) and without Cu (non-supplemented group, n = 10) during all the productive cycle (growing and finishing periods and animals aged 12 to 36. weeks). In general Cu supplementation did not statistically affect blood Cu indicators, productive and haematologic parameters, and the levels of these parameters were within their normal ranges during the whole study. There were significant statistic differences in tissue Cu accumulation, mainly in the liver, with 90% of the animals of the Cu supplemented group showing hepatic Cu levels exceeding the adequate range and 50% within the concentrations associated with Cu toxicity. Under the conditions of this study, which are the conditions of the cattle raised under intensive methods in many European countries, routinely Cu supplementation is not justified to maintain an adequate Cu status in the animals or to improve productive parameters. More information about the risk of presence of Cu antagonists in the concentrate diets should be necessary to justify routinely Cu supplementation in intensively reared beef cattle.
      345Scopus© Citations 20
  • Publication
    Preliminary results in the redox balance in healthy cats: Influence of age and gender
    Oxidative stress (OS) impairs organic function and is considered causally related to cellular senescence and death. This study aims to evaluate if the redox balance varies in relation to age and gender in healthy cats. To quantify the oxidative status of this species we determined the oxidative damage as serum reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) and the total serum antioxidant capacity (SAC). In addition, we used the ratio of ROM to SAC as a measure of the oxidative balance, with higher values meaning higher oxidative stress (oxidative stress index). Our results suggest that the male population is at oxidative risk when compared with females, especially between the age of 2 and 7 years. Nutritional strategies in this population looking for additional antioxidant support would probably avoid the oxidative stress status that predisposes to chronic processes in senior male cats. Further clinical trials in this field are recommended.
    Scopus© Citations 7  282
  • Publication
    Toxic and essential metals in liver, kidney and muscle of pigs at slaughter in Galicia, north-west Spain
    The aims of the study were to evaluate toxic and essential metal concentrations in meat and offal from pigs in north-west Spain to compare these with reported metal concentrations in pigs in other countries and in cattle in this region, and to relate the observed concentrations to maximum acceptable concentrations. Samples from 63 pigs aged 6 months were randomly collected at slaughter. After acid digestion, levels of metals were determined by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. As regards the toxic metals, mean concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle were 0.073, 0.308 and 0.009 mg kg-1 fresh weight for cadmium, 0.004, 0.008 and 0.003 mg kg-1 for lead, 0.013, 0.011 and 0.003 mg kg-1 for arsenic, and 0.001, 0.002 and 0.001 mg kg-1 for mercury. These concentrations can be considered low, and in general similar to those reported in similar studies in recent years. In addition, maximum admissible concentrations established by the European Union were not exceeded in any sample. As regards the essential metals, concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle were 14.9, 5.63 and 6.85 mg kg-1 for copper, 81.3, 28.9 and 42.5 mg kg-1 for zinc, 195, 51.6 and 26.5 mg kg-1 for iron; 1.17, 2.51 and 0.656 mg kg-1 for selenium, 3.32, 1.56 and 1.01 mg kg-1 for manganese, 0.023, 0.027 and 0.003 mg kg-1 for cobalt, 0.120, 0.077 and 0.131 mg kg-1 for chromium, 0.009, 0.027 and 0.026 mg kg-1 for nickel, and 1.62, 0.683 and 0.140 mg kg-1 for molybdenum. These concentrations are all within the accepted adequate-safe ranges for this animal species, and in general are in line with those previously reported in the literature.
    Scopus© Citations 77  303
  • Publication
    Effect of moderate Cu supplementation on serum metabolites, enzymes and redox state in feedlot calves
    The aim of this investigation was to evaluate whether, in the nutritional management of commercial feedlots, copper (Cu) supplementation is justified to maintain the physiological requirements. This study compared beef calves fed concentrates with an average Cu basal content of 5 and 8. mg/kg in growing and finishing periods (10 animals) or supplemented with 15. mg/kg for each phase (20 animals) as regards production indices, metabolic parameters [glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), cholesterol, serum urea nitrogen (SUN), creatinine, total serum protein (TSP), albumin, aspartate transaminase (AST) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)] and markers of oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and serum antioxidant capacity (SAC)). Data were recorded at ages 12, 24 and 36. weeks. In general, Cu supplementation was neither detrimental nor beneficial for animal health and performance, and the levels of the measured metabolites and enzymes were within their normal ranges stated for feedlot with the same management during the whole study. However, in keeping with reported higher hepatic Cu levels at slaughter, animals on supplemented feed had higher GGT activities at the end of the finishing stage, although the difference was not statistically significant. On the other hand, lower SAC levels at the end of the growing period in the supplemented group suggest the possibility of a positive effect of Cu supplementation on redox state. Further research is necessary to clarify the potential role of Cu in limiting the ROS production associated with fattening diets, and to evaluate the hepatobiliary consequences of supplementation, including hepatic Cu accumulation. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.
    Scopus© Citations 10  223
  • Publication
    Trace mineral status and toxic metal accumulation in extensive and intensive pigs in NW Spain
    The aim of the present study was to determine trace element status and toxic metal accumulation in extensive and intensive pigs in NW Spain. Soil, feed and animal tissues (liver, kidney and muscle from 112 pigs) were collected from extensive and intensive pig farms across NW Spain and analysed for metals by ICP-MS and ICP-OES. Our results indicate that animals from both extensive and intensive systems showed an adequate mineral status and that toxic metal residues were generally low, no sample exceeding the maximum admissible levels in meat and meat products established by the EU. Trace element concentrations were generally higher in the intensive pigs possibly reflecting mineral supplementation in the concentrate feed. The statistically significantly higher As, Hg and Pb residues as well as the better Fe and Ni status in extensive pigs could be related at least in part with soil ingestion when rooting. On the contrary, the higher Cd accumulation in the intensive pigs can be explained considering Cu and Zn supplementation in the concentrate feed. Our results also seem to indicate that toxic metal accumulation as well as trace element status in different tissues could be related to metabolic aspects (i.e. related to breed and growth rate) as well as certain management practices (i.e. physical exercise when grazing).
    Scopus© Citations 27  201