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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(24); 3595; doi: 10.3390/ani14243595

Influence of Dietary Cobalt on Fiber Digestibility and Serum Cobalt and Cobalamin Concentrations in Horses.

Abstract: The 2007 Horse NRC reduced cobalt (Co) requirements from 0.1 ppm to 0.05 ppm in dietary dry matter, though preliminary research suggested increasing dietary-Co enhanced fiber digestion in horses. This study aimed to evaluate fiber digestion with varying dietary Co amounts, as well as to compare serum Co concentrations with dietary Co content. Four geldings (mean body weight [BW] 503 ± 37 kg) were studied in a 4 × 4 Latin square design consisting of four 5-week periods, each comprising a 2-week washout phase followed by a 3-week treatment phase. Supplementing 0.0, 5.6, 16.8, or 28.0 mg of Co daily resulted in total Co dietary concentrations of 0.06, 0.7, 2.0, and 3.0 ppm, respectively. Feces and urine were collected to evaluate fiber digestibility and Co balance. Co supplementation did not affect neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, or lignin digestibility. Co balance was negative for the control diet but positive for the other three treatments ( = 0.04). Serum cobalamin concentrations slightly decreased (6%) with increasing dietary Co intake ( = 0.003), while folate concentrations were unaffected. Serum Co concentration differed ( < 0.01) with a mean of 4.7 μg/mL for the high treatment and 0.8 μg/mL for the control. Results suggest that serum Co concentrations above regulatory limits are likely due not to higher levels of Co in fortified feeds, but rather to parenteral administration of Co solutions.
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Publication Date: 2024-12-12 PubMed ID: 39765500PubMed Central: PMC11672516DOI: 10.3390/ani14243595Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper is about a study that explored the impact of varying amounts of cobalt in a horse’s diet on fiber digestion and concentrations of cobalt and cobalamin in horse serum. The findings indicate that supplementing a horse’s diet with cobalt does not significantly affect fiber digestibility and that elevated serum cobalt levels are likely due to the administration of cobalt solutions and not an abundance of cobalt in feed.

Objective of the Study

  • The main objective of the study was to assess the effects of different levels of cobalt intake in the diet of horses on fiber digestion. This was fueled by a reduction in cobalt requirements from 0.1ppm to 0.05ppm in dietary dry matter as per the 2007 Horse NRC guidelines. The study also sought to investigate the correlation between serum cobalt concentration and the dietary cobalt content.

Research Methodology

  • The study was designed as a 4 x 4 Latin square and involved four geldings with an average body weight of 503 ± 37 kg.
  • There were four 5-week periods, each incorporating a 2-week washout phase followed by a 3-week treatment phase.
  • Cobalt was administered in varying dosages, either as a daily supplement of 0.0, 5.6, 16.8, or 28.0 mg, creating total dietary concentrations of 0.06, 0.7, 2.0, and 3.0 ppm of cobalt, respectively.
  • To determine cobalt balance and fiber digestibility, feces and urine were collected and analyzed.

Findings and Conclusion

  • The study found that cobalt supplementation did not influence the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, or lignin.
  • Cobalt balance was negative for the control diet but positive for the other diets supplemented with cobalt.
  • In the presence of higher dietary cobalt intake, a slight reduction (6%) was observed in serum cobalamin concentration, however, folate concentrations remained unaffected.
  • There was a notable difference in serum cobalt concentration, with a mean of 4.7 μg/mL for the high-dose treatment group and 0.8 μg/mL for the control group.
  • It is inferred from the results that elevated levels of serum cobalt are likely due not to increased amounts of cobalt in fortified feeds, but to parenteral administration of cobalt solutions.

Cite This Article

APA
LeCompte Lazić RA, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Schott HC, Herdt TH, Larson CK. (2024). Influence of Dietary Cobalt on Fiber Digestibility and Serum Cobalt and Cobalamin Concentrations in Horses. Animals (Basel), 14(24), 3595. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243595

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 24
PII: 3595

Researcher Affiliations

LeCompte Lazić, Rebecca Ashlee
  • Department of Animal Science, 474 S. Shaw Lane, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Nielsen, Brian D
  • Department of Animal Science, 474 S. Shaw Lane, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Robison, Cara I
  • Department of Animal Science, 474 S. Shaw Lane, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Schott, Harold C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, 784 Wilson Road, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Herdt, Thomas H
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, 784 Wilson Road, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Larson, Connie K
  • Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USA.

Grant Funding

  • 00120113 / Zinpro

Conflict of Interest Statement

The research program of Brian D. Nielsen received funding from Zinpro Corporation to pay for some of the expenses associated with the study titled “Role of Dietary Cobalt Concentrations on Fiber Digestion in Horses”. Co-author C.K. Larson is an employee of Zinpro Corporation, which provided partial support for this study and which provided 2.0% COPRO25 used in this study. Authors R.S.L.L., C.I.R., H.C.S.II and T.H.H declare no conflicts of interest.

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