Influences of the Seasons of the Year and Physiographic Regions on the Levels of Calcium, Copper and Zinc in the Hoof Capsule of Foals Pre- and Postweaning Raised in Native Pasture.
Abstract: This study evaluated the levels of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the hoof of Criollo foals, pre- and postweaning, correlating them with the concentrations of these inorganic chemical compounds in soil and pasture in the different seasons of the year. We used 41 preweaning foals and 28 postweaning foals. Seventeen forage samples were collected in four seasons, later 10 soil samples per property in five distinct physiographic regions (Santa Maria, Dilermando de Aguiar, Jaguarão, Arroio Grande and Pelotas). There was variability in Ca, Cu and Zn concentrations in the hoof foal between distinct physiographic regions (P < .05), and between seasons. There was no association of preweaning and postweaning Ca levels with forage in the different physiographic regions. The concentrations of Cu and Zn showed positive association (R = 0.69, 0.43; P < .05) with the native pastures in the different physiographic regions in preweaning. In postweaning, only Cu was positively associated (R = 0.74; P < .05). Different season and physiographic regions influence the levels of Ca, Cu and Zn in the hoof capsule and native pasture during the pre- and postweaning stages.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-12-23 PubMed ID: 34954292DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103854Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explores how seasonal changes and different regions impact the levels of calcium, copper, and zinc in the hoofs of Criollo foals pre- and post-weaning, showing a correlation with the concentration of these substances in soil and pasture.
Study Design and Sample
- The study used a sample of 41 preweaning foals and 28 postweaning foals for the evaluation.
- The concentrations of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the hoof capsule of these foals were measured and analyzed.
- Additionally, the soil and pasture from five different physiographic regions (Santa Maria, Dilermando de Aguiar, Jaguarão, Arroio Grande, and Pelotas) were examined. These samples were collected in four different seasons to account for fluctuation in nutritional composition due to seasonal changes.
Findings
- The study identified significant variations in the concentration of Ca, Cu, and Zn in the hooves of foals depending on the region and season.
- The Ca levels in preweaning and postweaning stages showed no association with the forage present in the distinct physiographic regions.
- However, Cu and Zn concentrations were found to have a positive correlation with native pastures across different physiographic regions in the preweaning stage.
- Interestingly, in the postweaning phase, only Cu showed a positive association.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that both the season of the year and the geographic area affect the levels of Ca, Cu, and Zn in the hoof capsule of foals and their native pastures, both before and after weaning.
- This understanding could be significant in shaping strategies for better health and development of foals, by factoring in the changes in the chemical concentrations due to seasonal and regional variations.
Cite This Article
APA
Silva PM, Silva JLS, Bonemann DH, Ribeiro AS, Silva LO, Pizzi GLBL, Martins CF.
(2021).
Influences of the Seasons of the Year and Physiographic Regions on the Levels of Calcium, Copper and Zinc in the Hoof Capsule of Foals Pre- and Postweaning Raised in Native Pasture.
J Equine Vet Sci, 109, 103854.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103854 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Programa de pós-Graduação em Zootecnia, Faculdade Eliseu Maciel, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Embrapa Clima Temperado, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- Programa de pós-Graduação em Zootecnia, Faculdade Eliseu Maciel, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
- Programa de pós-Graduação em Zootecnia, Faculdade Eliseu Maciel, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: gino_lemos@hotmail.com.
- Departamento de Clínicas Veterinárias, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Calcium, Dietary
- Copper / chemistry
- Hoof and Claw
- Horses
- Seasons
- Zinc
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