Effects of maternal supplementation with an injectable trace mineral on subsequent calf performance and inflammatory response1.

Newly weaned, commercial Angus steers [body weight (BW) = 204 ± 19 kg; n = 24; 12 steers from dams administered an injectable trace mineral (MM; Mulimin90) and 12 steers from control (CON) dams] were utilized to determine the effects of maternal supplementation with an injectable trace mineral on the inflammatory response of subsequent steers subjected to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge at the initiation of a 42-d receiving period. On day -2 steers were weaned, and the following day, shipped 354 km to the Beef Cattle and Sheep Field Laboratory in Urbana, IL. On day 0, steers were administered an intravenous LPS challenge. Body temperature and blood samples were collected from steers prior to LPS administration (0 h) and again at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h. Blood samples were analyzed for trace mineral and cortisol at 0 and 2 h and glucose, insulin, LPS-binding protein (LBP), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and fibrinogen at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h. Calf BW was collected at trial initiation and subsequently every 14 d. Dry matter intake was collected daily and average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency were assessed. Initial plasma Zn tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for MM steers. However, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.31) in trace mineral status or serum cortisol at any other time. Total area under the curve (TAUC) for body temperature was lesser (P > 0.01) for MM steers. Basal LBP concentrations and TAUC for LBP tended (P ≤ 0.10) to be greater for MM steers. Peak concentration of IL-6 tended (P = 0.09) to be reached earlier for CON steers. However, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.11) in glucose, insulin, IL-6, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen concentrations between treatments. Calf performance and feed efficiency did not differ (P ≥ 0.17) between treatments except ADG from day 28 to 42, which was greater (P = 0.03) for CON steers. Maternal supplementation with an injectable trace mineral tended to improve steer plasma Zn status at 0 h and tended to increase basal concentrations of LBP and overall LBP production when steers were administered an LPS challenge. Additionally, MM steers exhibited a more favorable change in body temperature following LPS administration. However, injectable trace mineral supplementation of dams during gestation had minimal to no effect on cytokine and acute-phase protein concentrations, as well as overall calf performance and efficiency during a 42-d receiving period.