Effects of feeding supplemental amino acid complexed zinc for mitigation of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20197294Keywords:
Liver abscesses, feedlot cattle, beef productivity, ruminal acidosis, dietary zincAbstract
Liver abscesses (LA) in feedlot cattle continue to be an issue compromising beef productivity, health and food safety. Ruminal acidosis resulting from the feeding of highgrain finishing diets may compromise ruminal epithelial integrity and predispose cattle to liver abscesses. Dietary zinc (Zn) is known to promote epithelial integrity and may provide an alternative method for reducing LA. Two research projects were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary Zn supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and metabolism and LA prevalence and formation in response to a mild acidosis challenge (Study 1). In a second study (Study 2), effects of dietary Zn source and concentration on LA prevalence were evaluated in a longitudinal, retrospective pooled study analysis.