Beef cattle suffering from oxidative stress can have various problems, including reduced average daily gain and immune function. Beef in cow-calf operations can suffer from poor reproductive performance as a result of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress in beef cattle can be mittigated with a balanced diet containing adequate levels of antioxidants. Factors such as their bioavailability and solubility can impact effectiveness of antioxidants. To address concerns about bioavailability of antioxidants in beef cattle, specially formulated alternatives to vitamin E, such as Selko AOmix, have been developed for cattle. These alternatives provide optimal digestibility and cover the complete water-to-fat-soluble range. This ensures antioxidants are delivereds to every part of the beef cattle's cells.

Crucial factors in antioxidant effectiveness in beef cattle

• If the antioxidant in the supplement for beef cattle is not well-digested, fewer antioxidants become available for absorbtion by the animal. Absorption and the distribution into the cells are important factors influencing bioavailability of antioxidants in beef cattle.
• Another factor that impacts effectiveness of an antioxidant for beef cattle is its water vs. fat solubility, which can vary widely between antioxidant products for ruminants. Solubility of antioxidants for beef cattle determines where they are distributed in the body. Vitamin E for instance mainly delivers its antioxidant effect at the cell membrane, and has less impact on the external or internal environment of the cell (see Figure 1).

Ruminants have different digestive systems compared to monogastrics. As a result, antioxidants in their feed differ in bioavailability. Bioavailability of antioxidants in ruminants is directly linked to the polyphenol’s susceptibility to rumen fermentation, the type of fermentation products produced, and the bioavailability of bypass polyphenols of polyphenol fermentation products in beef cattle. For this reason, Selko has formulated ruminant specific alternatives to partially replace vitamin E for beef cattle. Plant extracts that are included in Selko AOmix for beef cattle either contain bypass polyphenols or polyphenols which are fermented into potent and bioavailable metabolites. Selko AOmix is therefore capable of substituting and/or complementing the antioxidant protection that most cattle currently get from Vitamin E supplementation above requirements (see Figure 2).

The natural antioxidants in Selko AOmix for beef have been selected for ideal digestibility and cover the complete water-to-fat-soluble range, ensuring optimal delivery of antioxidant activity in every part of the cell.

Damaging effects of free radicals are mitigated by the antioxidants in Selko AOmix. Feeding Selko AOmix to beef cattle can improve performance under challenging conditions such as transition into the feedlot or periods of heat stress. Selko AOmix can reduce costs of a feed formulation for beef cattle by replacing more expensive vitamin E in case levels that are fed exceed NASEM recommendations for vitamin E levels fed to beef cattle for antioxidant purposes.