Why does Selko IntelliBond improve rumen function, health and performance of dairy cattle?

Stability of a trace mineral sources under variable conditions in the different parts of the gastrointestinal tract of dairy cattle can have a great impact on palatability of feed, on feed intake1, on health2, performance3 and on lifespan of a dairy cow2. Solubility of trace mineral sources for ruminants is largely driven by chemistry (type of bond and type of structure) of the trace mineral source. Mineral suppllements for dairy cattle can contain different sources of trace mineral and will therefore differ in their impact on dairy cattle performance as a result of differences in reactivity and anatgonsim in the rumen and differences in absorbtion from the lower parts of the GI tratc of dairy cattle.

Solubility of trace mineral sources in the rumen of dairy cattle should be low.

Twenty years of independent research4,5 have consistently shown significant differences in rumen solubility between different trace mineral sources for dairy cattle (see Figure 1). High concentrations of soluble trace mineral ions can have a strong negative impact on rumen fermentation and NDF digestibility in dairy cattle6. Trace mineral ions in solution can also form insoluble complexes with essential trace minerals, vitamins and other essential nutrients in a dairy ration, resulting in a reduction of bioavailability7,8,9,10 of essential nutrients. For this reason, a trace mineral source for dairy cattle that is largely insoluble in the rumen can improve rumen function, feed efficiency, health and performance of a dairy herd.

During a recent webinar, Professor Santos from the University of Florida discussed the results of a trial in dairy cows in which feeding Selko IntelliBond improved the transition into lactation, resulting in improvement of lactation performance² and an increase of longevity³ of dairy cows included in the study. This difference in performance may in part be related to a difference in solubility and reactivity in the rumen between the trace mineral sources included in the trial. These differences in solubility and reactivity may result in a significant difference in rumen fermentation and NDF digestibility^4,5,6.

The pH in the rumen of dairy cattle is neutral or slightly acidic. Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals are largely insoluble under neutral or slightly acidic conditions in the rumen compared to alternative trace mineral sources. Selko IntelliBond trace minerals are therefore less reactive in the rumen of dairy cattle.

This video shows how a TEAC tests should be executed. The TEAC test shows a clear difference between the level of reactive trace metal ions if different trace mineral sources for dairy cattle are added to a solution with a neutral pH such rumen fluid of dairy cows.

Reactivity of different trace minerals can be compared with a TEAC test. Tri-Ethyl Ammonium Chloranilate (TEAC) is a reactive agent that can bind to free trace mineral ions such as zinc ions when they are in a solution. After binding, TEAC will change the solution’s colour, from purple to brown. Adding TEAC to a mixture containing a trace mineral product will show how much soluble and thus reactive mineral is in a solution, giving an indication of reactivity of the product in the rumen of dairy cows. TEAC testing of different trace mineral sources for dairy cattle has proven that they can differ greatly when it comes to solubility in neutral environments like the rumen of dairy cattle (see video). The test results indicate that Selko IntelliBond hydroxy chloride trace minerals are less reactive in the rumen compared to trace mineral sources in competitor mineral supplements for cattle.

To better understand what effects different sources of trace minerals can have on rumen microbes of dairy catttle, two fermentation trials11,12 were performed with the Fermentrics system. A rumen sample was collected from a cow and used in an in-vitro fermentation system to determine the fermentation efficiency of the microbes present. A TMR substrate was added to this system first, after which different sources of trace minerals were added and compared to a control with no trace minerals added. All rumen fluid samples were subsequently incubated at 39.5°C for a 48-h period. The efficiency of fermentation was measured by apparent organic matter disappearance (aOMD) and apparent microbial biomass production (aMBP).

The aOMD and aMBP of Selko IntelliBond were compared with a competitor hydroxy trace mineral source for dairy cattle and with a sulphate trace mineral source. Adding Selko IntelliBond did not have a negative effect on rumen fermentation efficiency. The addition of sulphate trace mineral sources however did result in a reduction of aOMD and aMBP, as did the addition of a competitor hydroxy trace mineral source (see Figures 2 and 4). These results prove that the structure of Selko IntelliBond is unique and different from other hydroxy trace mineral sources for dairy cattle. This unique structure provides protection to the rumen microbes against the reactive mineral.

The pH in the abomasum of dairy cows is low, usually around 2.5 – 3.0. Once a trace mineral source reaches the abomasum, it needs to become soluble for the mineral to become available for the animal to use. Considering that absorption takes place predominantly in the duodenum and jejunum, it is critical that the mineral becomes soluble once it reaches the abomasum of dairy cattle. At the lower pH within the abomasum, Selko trace minerals become soluble, releasing complexed metals layer by layer, like a lollipop. This ensured a gradual release of metal ions into the abomasum, duodenum and jejunum of dairy cows.

Other hydroxy trace mineral sources might behave differently under low pH conditions, clumping together and hence not having that ideal release profile. A solubility test comparing solubility in acid environment of different hydroxy trace mineral sources for dairy cattle shows that not all hydroxy trace minerals are similar in their behaviour. This resuls in a difference in bioavailability of different trace mineral sources, resulting in a difference in feed efficiency and dairy cattle performance2,3.

Antagonism within the rumen of dairy cattle can result in the formation of insoluble complexes. Differences in solubility and reactivity of trace mineral sources within the rumen can result in differences in the risk for antagonism. Differences in solubility in the abomasum and lower GI tract between trace mineral sources for cattle can result in differences in absorption of trace metals. Several studies7,8,9,10 have shown that relative bioavailability of Selko IntelliBond trace minerals compared to other trace mineral sources used in mineral supplements for cattle is high (see Figure 5).

The TEAC test shows that in contrast to most alternative sources of trace minerals, Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals are largely insoluble in the rumen of dairy cattle, making them less reactive. This reduces the risk of antagonism or a negative impact on rumen function7,8,9,10. Fermentrics trials11,12 in which aOMD and aMBP of Selko IntelliBond were compared to aOMD and aMBP of competitor hydroxy trace mineral sources for dairy cattle confirm that Selko IntelliBond hydroxytrace mineral sources imperove rumen function, which will result in an improvement of feed efficiency and performance of dairy cattle.

The solubility test in an acidic solution with a low pH shows that compared to some competitor trace mineral sources, solubility in the abomasum is higher, which will result in an improved absorption of trace metal ions in the duodenum and jejunum of dairy cattle. This is one of the possible explanations for the difference in relative bioavailability7,8,9,10 between Selko IntelliBond hydroxy chloride trace minerals and alternative sources of trace mineral used in cattle mineral suplements. This further explains the difference in performance of dairy cattle fed cattle mineral supplements containing different sources of trace mineral.