Growth, reproductive performance, and manganese status of heifers fed varying concentrations of manganese

J Anim Sci. 2006 Dec;84(12):3375-80. doi: 10.2527/jas.2005-667.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of dietary Mn on growth, reproductive performance, and Mn status of beef heifers. Eighty Angus (n = 40) and Simmental (n = 40) heifers, averaging 249 kg, were stratified by BW within a breed and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments providing 0 (control), 10, 30, or 50 mg of supplemental Mn/kg of DM from MnSO(4). Heifers were individually fed a diet containing cottonseed hulls, corn gluten feed, citrus pulp, and ground corn, and the control diet contained 15.8 mg of Mn/kg of DM by analysis. Average daily gain, DMI, and G:F for the 196-d period were not affected by Mn supplementation. Control heifers had reduced (P = 0.04) liver Mn when contrasted with the 3 levels of supplemental Mn. Serum cholesterol was greater (P = 0.001) in Angus compared with Simmental heifers over the course of the 196-d experiment but was not affected by treatment. Dietary Mn did not significantly affect measures of reproductive performance. Results of this study indicate that 15.8 mg of Mn/kg of diet DM should be adequate for growth, onset of estrus, and conception of beef heifers.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Manganese / pharmacology*
  • Reproduction / drug effects*
  • Trace Elements / pharmacology

Substances

  • Trace Elements
  • Manganese