ANIMAL NUTRITION

TRACE MINERALS: HOW TO DO MORE WITH LESS?

On the occasion of MINTREX® launch in Middle East, Aymen Elamri, Technical Manager for Novus North Africa and Middle East, explains why these trace elements in bis-chelated form have become essential for animals

Around the world, planned changes in regulations on the inclusion of trace elements in animal feed are shaking up historical approaches to mineral supplementation. This has led to questions not only about the quantity of minerals to be added to different feeds, but also about their source.

Reduce inputs and Replace inorganic sources

When it is no longer possible to feed animals with more trace elements, the key is to use solutions that have a greater effect on the animal with less added minerals.

Indeed, some sources allow greater availability of minerals at absorption sites. To do this, a mineral source must be resistant to changes in pH, less prone to antagonism, and deliver more minerals to absorption sites in the gut.

Avoid dissociation

Low pH environments, such as in the gizzard, can cause dissociation, the process by which compounds separate into ions. This dissociation can cause the metal ion to react with antagonists such as phytates, calcium or phosphorus, which reduces the mineral available for absorption in the small intestine; it is then excreted.

Some mineral sources

Figure 1 : Molecular structure of MINTREX® .

(sulfates, oxides) tend to dissociate quickly early in the gastrointestinal tract, leaving the metal ion exposed to antagonism.

Fight against antagonisms

The unique chelated structure of MINTREX®, which binds each metal atom (Cu, Zn or Mn) to two molecules of hydroxy analogue of methionine, makes the mineral source more stable over a wide pH range (Figure 1).

Increase intestinal absorption

The trace elements are absorbed throughout the small intestine by specific transporters located on the surface of the

the element to be stored and transported to where it will be used.

For example, when zinc is supplied in sufficient quantity, the expression of metallothionein increases, which means more stored zinc. A study of the effects of zinc sources and levels on metallothionein expression in the jejunum of broiler chickens revealed that supplementation problems but also criteria such as pododermatitis, the qualities of the carcass in poultry, or the quality of the shell egg.

Improve performance and reduce the impact on the environment

Based on this evidence, NOVUS is able to offer, thanks to this unique source of trace elements, a new nutritional strategy: Reduce & Replace, which Figure 2: Effect of 70 ppm Zinc Supplementation in Different Forms on Metalllothionein Messenger RNA Expression in Intestinal Tissue of 14-Day-Old consists of reducing the intake of trace elements Copper, Zinc and Chicken (Richard et al., 2005). Manganese by replacing them enterocytes, these cells which line the small intestine and which are responsible for absorption. Once the trace elements enter the bloodstream, they can be greater mineral storage than other sources. (Figure 2) Ensure better bio-availability The increased production of metallothionein in enterocytes is of this strategy is presented in figure 3: The performances of chickens fed with reduced doses of trace elements Zn, Cu, Mn in MINTREX® form, showed better ADGs than the same animals transferred to different tissues a good measure of the greater fed either with standard levels, to meet the animal’s mineral absorption of zinc. or with low levels of inorganic needs. This process is tightly Since the discovery of trace elements. This resulted in a controlled and specific, as some MINTREX® in 1999, NOVUS decrease in the release of Zn in trace elements can be toxic research has shown, through the faeces. when they accumulate in the numerous trials, the benefit of This makes it possible to body. The body has therefore providing all the body’s tissues do more with less, improving developed several mechanisms, with the bioavailable trace animal performance while including protein chaperones elements Zn, Cu, Mn that they limiting the impact on the such as metallothionein, to need. environment. protect itself against the free This is reflected by better penetration of trace elements ADGs and consumption indices, All technical details are available into the enterocytes or into the an improvement in reproduction upon request: blood. These proteins also allow parameters, locomotor info.europe@novusint.com

with MINTREX®. An example of 70 ppm Zinc in the Figure 3: Effect of trace element source and content on ADG and Zinc content in 35-dayMINTREX® form resulted in old chicken faeces. Experimental station France, 2016., Peris et al. ESPN 2017.