Effects of trace mineral injection at weaning on growth, inflammatory and immune responses in <i>Bos indicus</i>-influenced beef steers with or without growth-promoting implants
Lay Summary Management interventions during the preweaning and weaning phases can influence calf growth and health outcomes. We evaluated the effects of a growth-promoting implant applied during the suckling phase and an injectable trace mineral (ITM) given at weaning on growth, inflammatory, and immune responses of beef steers. Overall, calves that received an implant had greater body weight at weaning, and while ITM administration triggered an inflammatory reaction in calves, it also improved immune competence and titers response of respiratory vaccines. The combination of both strategies may offer complementary benefits for improving calf performance and health during stressful transition periods.
Authors
- Juliana Ranches (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1823-2577)
- Bárbara Roqueto dos Reis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5902-5953)
- Matheus Gomes Mendonça Ferreira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3037-9309)
- Hiam Jardel Marcon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6380-4397)
- Gleise Medeiros da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9113-4324)
- Marcelo Vedovatto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9050-6990)
- Aline Cristine Rezende dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4466-1391)
Institutions
- Louisiana State University of Alexandria (US)
- Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (US)
- Eastern Oregon University (US)
- Mississippi State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Translational Animal Science
- Published
- 2025-09-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf132
- Primary Topic
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture