Molybdenum exposure in drinking water vs feed affects copper apparent absorption differently in beef cattle consuming a high forage diet
Date
2020
Authors
Thorndyke, Meghan, author
Engle, Terry, advisor
Ahola, Jason K., committee member
Ippolito, Jim, committee member
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Abstract
Twelve Angus steers were utilized to investigate the influence of molybdenum (Mo) in drinking water or feed on apparent absorption and retention of copper (Cu) and Mo. Steers were fed a low-quality grass hay diet for 14 days. Steers were then housed in individual metabolism stalls for 5 days to determine dry matter intake (DMI). Steers were then blocked by body weight and DMI and randomly assigned within block to one of three treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) control (no supplemental Mo); 2) 5.0 mg Mo/kg DM from sodium molybdate dihydrate (Mo-diet), and 3) 1.5 mg Mo/L from sodium molybdate dihydrate delivered in the drinking water (Mo-water). After the 5 day DMI determination period, total fecal and urine output was collected for 5 days. Dry matter intake, Cu and water intake, and DM digestibility were similar across treatments. As expected, Mo intake was greater (P < 0.05) in Mo-water and Mo-diet steers when compared to controls but similar between Mo-water and Mo-diet steers. Apparent absorption and retention of Cu (% of Cu intake) was greater (P < 0.05) in controls when compared to Mo-diet supplemented steers. Apparent absorption and retention of Cu (% of Cu intake) in steers in the Mo-water treatment did not differ from controls or those receiving the Mo-diet. Molybdenum-diet and Mo-water supplemented steers had similar apparent absorption and retention of Cu. Apparent absorption and retention of Mo (% of Mo intake) was greater in controls when compared to Mo supplemented steers. These data indicate that Mo consumed in water may impact Cu absorption and retention to a lesser extent than Mo supplemented in the diet.
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Subject
metabolism
trace mineral
retention
digestibility