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Dietary Zinc-Amino Acid Complex Does Not Affect Markers of Mammary Epithelial Integrity or Heat Stability of Milk in Mid-Lactating Cows

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Abstract

Supplying dietary zinc in excess of traditional requirements has clear impacts on the gut epithelium, but little research has explored whether similar impacts on the mammary epithelium may occur. Our objective was to determine the effects of supplemental Zn sources, in excess of minimal requirements, on markers of mammary epithelial integrity in blood and in milk as well as the heat stability of milk in mid-lactation cows. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (132 ± 21 days in milk and 51 ± 3 kg/day milk) were blocked according to milk yield and enrolled in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment. Experimental periods were 21 days, with 17 days allowed for diet adaptation and 4 days for sampling. Treatment sequences were randomly assigned to animals and treatments were as follows: (1) 0.97 g Zn/day provided as ZnSO4 (34.5 mg supplemental Zn/kg diet DM; 30-ZS), (2) 1.64 g Zn/day provided as ZnSO4 (56.5 mg supplemental Zn/kg diet DM; 60-ZS), and (3) 0.55 g Zn/day provided as ZnSO4 plus 1.13 g Zn/day provided as a zinc-methionine complex (58.2 mg supplemental Zn/kg diet DM; 60-ZM). Treatments were administered once daily as an oral bolus containing all supplemental trace minerals. Rumen-bypass methionine was also included in the 30-ZS and 60-ZS boluses to provide metabolizable methionine equivalent to that provided in 60-ZM rations. Milk samples were assessed for electrolytes, somatic cell transcript abundance of genes related to zinc metabolism, and heat coagulation time. Whole blood samples were analyzed for Na and K concentrations, and plasma samples were analyzed for lactose concentration. Cows fed 60-ZS or 60-ZM had greater zinc intake compared to 30-ZS. Dry matter intake and milk fat content tended to be greater in 60-ZS and 60-ZM cows compared to 30-ZS. Somatic cell linear score was similar among treatments. Treatments neither affected markers of mammary epithelial integrity in blood nor in milk of cows, including plasma concentration of lactose, milk concentrations of Na+ and K+, and SLC30A2 and CLU transcript abundance. Treatments had no effect on milk N fractions or heat coagulation time. This study provided no evidence that supplemental Zn above the established requirements can improve blood-milk epithelial barrier or heat stability of milk in healthy mid-lactation dairy cows.

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Acknowledgements

Contribution no. 18-514-J from the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. The authors would also like to thank Mike Scheffel and employees of the Kansas State University Dairy Teaching and Research Center (Manhattan, KS) for their assistance in completing this study.

Funding

This research was partially funded by the Zinpro Corporation (Eden Prairie, MN).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA

    James E. Shaffer, Laman K. Mamedova, Karthik Pandalaneni, Jayendra K. Amamcharla, Caio S. Takiya & Barry J. Bradford

  2. ZINPRO Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344, USA

    Jeff M. DeFrain

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  1. James E. Shaffer
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  2. Laman K. Mamedova
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  3. Jeff M. DeFrain
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barry J. Bradford.

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All experimental procedures were carried out under the Kansas State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Shaffer, J.E., Mamedova, L.K., DeFrain, J.M. et al. Dietary Zinc-Amino Acid Complex Does Not Affect Markers of Mammary Epithelial Integrity or Heat Stability of Milk in Mid-Lactating Cows. Biol Trace Elem Res 190, 349–357 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1556-y

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