THE INFLUENCE OF BIOTIN AND ZN-METHIONINE APPLICATION ON DAIRY COWS HOOFS CONDITION

Jan Twardoń¹, Stefania Kinal², Jerzy Preś³, Maja Słupczyńska², Rafał Bodarski², Andrzej Zachwieja⁴, Maciej Bednarski⁵, Małgorzata Ochota^5
1 Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Poland
² Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
³ Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Management, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Poland
⁴ Institute of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Poland
⁵ Department and Clinic of Obstetrics, Ruminant Diseases and Animal Health Care, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland

ABSTRACT

In dairy herds lameness caused by foot diseases, especially lameness are a big economical and health problem. After infertility and mastitis, lameness is placed on third position among main causes of economic losses in milk production in Poland. Improper housing conditions and nutritional deficiencies are the main reasons of the problem. The aim of this study was the estimation of the biotin and Zn-methionine feed additives on feet health in first and second trimester of lactation. The study was conducted in three groups of cattle, 30 animals each. Cows in group I – control group, were fed with average ford used on the farm, cows in group II – had added biotin in 10 mg/d/cow, cows in group III – had added biotin in 10 mg/d/cow and Zn-methionine in 5 g/d/cow. At the beginning and the end of the experiment reproduction indexes and feet health were assessed. Our results show better feet health in cows supplemented with biotin or/and Zn-methionine, although the best result had cows supplemented with both together. biotin and Zn-methionine supplementation favourably affected reproductive indexes in treated cows. The results justify using these food supplements in feet disorders in dairy cows.

Key words: dairy cows, lameness, feet, nutrition, infertility, biotin, Zn-methionine.

INTRODUCTION

Feet and especially hoofs disorders are one of the serious and often health problem in dairy cow production. Lameness, with infertility and mastitis are the most common reasons of culling cows in dairy farms, it also unfavourably affects milk production and reproduction which leads to economic loses.

During periparturient period lameness consist of over 18% lower fertility rates and 14 days longer time between pregnancies [4,8,16,25]. Cows with lameness occurring 3 days before or 21 days after insemination have very low fertility rates [18], and cows with mobility problems get pregnant 4.2 times less after first insemination.

Typical lameness is a symptom and result of digital disorders: feet and pad ulcers, laminitis, interdigital pyoderma or inflammation, fibropapillomatosis and foot rot.

In dairy herds with high producing cows that are kept in cow barns had reduced likelihood of clinical lameness up to 30–70%. Much less (5–10%) limbs' problems are encountered in cows kept on pastures or housed in well fitted stalls. Many factors contribute to feet and hoof problems. The most common are: too short stands, dampness, slippery flooring, dirty and muddy environment, moreover dietary mistakes, genetic factors and bad hoof trimming plays here a significant role.

Susceptibility to lameness is considerable higher in cows kept on hard flooring (cement, concrete) then in cows kept on soft bedding. Lack of exercises, periparturient period, season, age, breed and physical condition are predisposing factors [10,14,15].

Prophylaxis of hoof disorders is sought in nutrition containing balanced amino acids necessary for keratin synthesis – cystine, methionine and histidine, balanced trace elements – Ca, Zn, Se, Cu, Mn, vitamins – A, D, E  and biotin [10,15,27], biotin synthesis in rumen is minimal [26]. Biotin as an additive mainly diminish white line separation but does not affects greatly other hoof problems [8]. Biotin added to food is digested in about 50% in rumen. It should be suplemented in 20 mg/d/cow for lactating cows and 10 mg/d/cow in dry cows. Whereas Zn-methionin supplementation protects from plate erosion [10]. Research carried out i  United States [5] shown promising results with combined use of Zn- methionin, Mn- methionin, Cu – lysine i Co – glukoheptonic (CTM-4-Plex-Zinpro).

The aim of this study was the estimation of the biotin and Zn-methionine feed additives on feet health and fertility.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted on a dairy farm in where cows were kept on thin soft layer. There are 500 dairy cows black and white with 70–90% HF, average productivity was 7000 kg of milk. The food samples were collected to estimate its nutritional value based on essential ingredients (dry matter, proteins, fat and fibre) with commonly used method (AOAC 2005) and trace elements Ca, Mg, Na, K, with atomic absorption spectroscopy (PN-EN-ISO : 6869:2002), P – with photometry (PN-ISO -6491 2000), S – with PN-93/A-7485.15 and Cl with PN- 81/R-64780. Based on the above results nutritional value according to directive DLG [6], trace elements content according to directive NRC [21] and ion's balance (DCAB) of nutritional dose (Table 1).

Table 1. Nutritional dose (based on DLG)

Forage						Amount (kg)
Corn silage Grass silage Wheat barn Barley pellets Malt sprouts Trace elements						35.0 10.0 3.0 2.8 1.0 0.1
Nutritional value
d.m. (kg)	MJ-NEL	nBO (g)	Balance N	Ca (g)	P (g)	Mg (g)	K (g)	Na (g)	S (g)	Cl (g)	DCAD (meq/kg d.m.)
18	135	2873	- 44	120	100	41,4	151	31	41	50	185

One hundred lactating cows were chosen to the experiment, 30 in each group. Cows in Group I – control, were fed with standard forage for this farm, experimental cows form Group II and III had added biotin in 10 mg/d/cow – Group II and biotin in 10 mg/d/cow and Zn-methionine in 5 g/d/cow – Group III.

Experiment took place during first seven months of lactation, at the beginning and at the end of experiment, the feet state were estimated. We were looking for feet ulcers, dermatitis, haematomas and white line disorders. Moreover, based on farm records the frequency of lameness, insemination index (per cow per year), conception rate (percentage of pregnant cows after first service), interpregnancy period were assessed. The results were developed with χ² test [24].

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of hoof clinical examination in cows included in the experiment are presented in Tables 2 and 3.

Table 2. Types of toe diseases in cows (30 cows in the group = 120 feet) – the beginning of the experiment

Group	Feet ulcer			Dermatitis			Haematoma			White line injury
	Number of cows			Number of cows			Number of cows			Number of cows
	Ill	Healthy	%	Ill	Healthy	%	Ill	Healthy	%	Ill	Healthy	%
I	26	94	21.7	22	98	18.3	19	101	15.8	8	112	6.7
II	24	96	20.0	25	95	20.8	15	105	12.5	6	114	5.0
III	23	97	19.2	20	100	16.7	24	96	20.0	6	114	5.0

Table 3. Types of toe diseases in cows (30 cows in the group =120 feet) – the end of the experiment

Group	Feet ulcer			Dermatitis			Haematoma			White line injury
	Number of cows			Number of cows			Number of cows			Number of cows
	Ill	Healthy	%	Ill	Healthy	%	Ill	Healthy	%	Ill	Healthy	%
I	24	96	20.0	18	102	15.0	20	100	16.7	6	114	5.0
II	23	97	19.2	23	97	19.2	12	108	10.0	5	115	4.2
III	18	102	15.0	17	103	14.2	18	102	15.0	5	115	4.2

Results received on incidence of foot diseases – foot ulcer, interdigital dermatitis, haematoma and white line injury – suggest that cows which were biotin (group II) or biotin with Zn-methionine supplemented for seven months have improved foot health, compared to animals form the control group (group I), which were not supplemented with those dietary components. It was the most obvious in the group of cows that were fed both supplements simultaneously (Table 2 and 3). At the beginning of the experiment incidence of foot ulcer and interdigital dermatitis considered 20% and approximately 19% respectively of evaluated foot. Whereas at the end of the experiment incidence of those diseases decreased by 0.8 and 0.2% in cows receiving biotin, and by 5.0 and 4.85% in cows receiving biotin and Zn-methionine simultaneously. However, used supplements didn't influence that much the incidence of haematomas and white line injuries. The incidence of those diseases decreased in a group of cows receiving biotin (group II) from 12.5 to 10.0 % and  from 5.0 to 4.2 % and in a group of cows that received both biotin and Zn-methionine (group III) by 5.0 and 0.8 % respectively.

The range of lameness, considered as a sign of a particular foot diseases, varied at the beginning of the experiment in all the cows included in the experiment from 20.0 do 22.5%. Whereas at the end of the experiment the percentage of lame cows in the control group was at the same level as at the beginning of the experiment (21.7%). In group II, contained of cows receiving biotin the incidence of lameness decreased by 2.5% and in the group III, contained of cows receiving biotin and Zn-methionine together, the incidence of lameness decreased by 5%. Noted differences in the improvement of incidence of those diseases were not confirmed statistically.

Fertility indexes of cows included in the experiment are shown in the Table 4 and 5.

Table 4. Fertility indexes of cows – beginning of the experiment

Group	Number of animals		Conception rate %	Insemination index	Days of interpregnancy interval
	Quantity	%
I	30	100	38.7	2.47	211.0
II	30	100	22.7	2.69	186.3
III	30	100	20.5	4.03	214.6

Table 5. Fertility indexes of cows – the end of the experiment

Group	Number of animals		Conception rate %	Insemination index	Days of interpregnancy interval
	Quantity	%
I	17	56.7	35.3	1.9	168.3
II	24	80	27.5	2.21	177.9
III	23	76.7	38.7	2.3	175.9

Evaluation of fertility indexes in cows included in the research demonstrated low values at the beginning, as well as at the end of the experiment (Table 4 and 5). It is well described by low – less than 60% conception rate in the herd. It is an evidence of significant problems with normal reproductive tract functions in cows. That fact is also confirmed by values of insemination index (from 2.47 to 4.03) and interpregnancy interval in cows at the beginning of the experiment (Table 4). Values of insemination index at the end of the experiment improved much, compared to index values at the beginning of the research, especially in cows from group III, that received biotin with Zn-methionine (Table 5).

The proper value of interpregnancy interval amounts 90–110 days. In cows included in the research at the beginning of the experiment the length of that period varied form 186.3 to 214.6 days and at the end of the experiment those values were slightly lower (168.3–177.9 days), but still differed much from the standards. Long interpregnancy periods are an evidence of late initiation of ovarian activity, low insemination effectiveness in post partum cows and organizational mistakes in herd management.

Discussion
Feed supplementation of 10mg/day per cow of biotin for 7 months in cattle during 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd lactation had a positive influence on incidence of foot diseases such as feet ulcer, dermatitis, heamatoma and white line injury. It is an evidence of it's positive influence on foot diseases. Green and Muelling [12] and Ferreira and Weiss [9] declared that biotin as a coenzyme takes part in de novo synthesis of long-chain fatty acids, that play important role in  creation of intercellular matrix merging feet horn. It also positively influences healing of feet ulcers [17]. In the study on 100 cows Bergsten et al. [2] demonstrated that after biotin supplementation number of cows affected with that disease decreased from 50 to 24%, although they didn't proved biotin influence on heel bulb suppuration. The research on biotin influence on white line disease (WLD) conducted on 100 cows in 5 dairy cattle farms in Great Britain revealed 2 cases in primiparous heifers, 16 cases in multipare cows and 48 cases in old cows (>five lactations). Pötsch et al. [22] declared that 20 mg/day/cow of biotin supplementation decreased incidence of WLD from 45 to 8.5%.

Feed supplementation of 10 and 5 g/day/cow of biotin and Zn-methionine respectively, had a greater influence on feet health, than biotin supplementation alone – the incidence of feet ulcer and interdigital dermatitis decreased by approximately 5%. Those supplements (biotin and Zn-methionine) had a slightly lower influence on incidence of haematomas and white line injuries.

In the research of Moore et al. [19] the incidence of feet diseases in cows supplemented with approximately 5 g/day/cow of Zn-methionine was low. Drendel et al. [7] showed that supplementation with Zn, Mn, Cu and Co chelates in primiparous heifers had a marked influence only on diminishing sole heamatoma incidence. In US study [20] on large number of cows during first and second lactation the feet health was evaluated in 150 and 250 day of lactation. The animals were supplemented with microelements in sulfates or chelates form. Supplementation of Zn, Mn, Cu and Co only in a form of sulfates led to a marked decrease of hoof wall separation cases, but increased the incidence of plate erosion (heel bulb suppuration), what would confirm our research results.

Methionine is considered as on of the most important amino acids playing a role in a keratinocytes structure creation. So we can conclude that supplementation of  rumen protected methionine had some positive influence on hoof horn creation.

Collic et al. [4] showed that in large cattle herds lameness was connected with marked lengthening of interpregnancy period and decrease of conception rate. Similar relationship was revealed in research of Enting et al. [8].

Feeding of supplements – biotin or biotin together with Zn-methionine improved slightly fertility indexes in cows. It is confirmed by study of Campbell'a et al. [3].

CONCLUSIONS

Study results concerning biotin or biotin and Zn-methionine supplementation in cows during first and second trimester of lactation revealed that among researched feet health indicators, the biggest improvement in incidence of lameness (by 5%) was noted in group of cows supplemented with biotin together with Zn-methionine. Whereas in cows supplemented only with biotin the improvement in the feet disease incidence amounted 2%. Feed supplementation of additives positively influenced some fertility indexes. It is described by marked improvement in insemination index, especially in cows supplemented with biotin and Zn-methionine together and shortening of interpregnancy interval (168.3–175.9 days). Whereas low conception rate in cows (27.5–38.7%) didn't improve. For prophylaxis of feet disorders and infertility it is advisable to use food additives containing biotin and Zn-methionine.

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Accepted for print: 2.12.2009

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Jan Twardoń
Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Poland
pl. Grunwaldzki 47
50-366 Wrocław, Poland
Phone +48 71 32-05-306
fax: +48 71 32-05-302
email: jan.twardon@up.wroc.pl

Stefania Kinal
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science,
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
J. Chełmonskiego 38C, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
phone: 71 320 58 29
email: stefania.kinal@up.wroc.pl

Jerzy Preś
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Management, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Poland
Chełmońskiego 38 C
51-630 Wrocław, Poland
Phone +48 71 32-05-839
fax: +48 71 32-05-845

Maja Słupczyńska
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science,
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
J. Chełmonskiego 38C, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland

Rafał Bodarski
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science,
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
Chełmońskiego 38 C, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
email: bodarski@zoo.ar.wroc.pl

Andrzej Zachwieja
Institute of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Poland
Chełmońskiego 38 C
51-630 Wrocław, Poland
Phone +48 71 32-05-765
fax: +48 71 32-05-765
email: andrzej.zachwieja@up.wroc.pl

Maciej Bednarski
Department and Clinic of Obstetrics,
Ruminant Diseases and Animal Health Care,
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
Grunwaldzki Square 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland

Małgorzata Ochota
Department and Clinic of Obstetrics,
Ruminant Diseases and Animal Health Care,
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
Grunwaldzki Square 49, 50-366, Wrocław, Poland

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