Role of Trace Element in Animal Health and Metabolic: Second Edition

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2025 | Viewed by 3562

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Bromatology and Nutrition Physiology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Interests: nutrition; toxic elements; trace elements; oxidative stress; meat quality; feed additives; food safety
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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: animal nutrition; zinc methionine; broiler chickens; egg shell thickness
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Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Bromatology and Food Physiology, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
Interests: animal nutrition; human nutrition; trace elements; grain products; antioxidative status
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The role of trace elements in animal health and metabolism has attracted increasing interest in recent years. The essentiality and toxicity of these elements have been extensively investigated in humans, laboratory animal models, and partially in domestic animals, while little is known about the other roles and metabolism of trace elements in various animal species.

Traditionally, research in the field of trace element biology and animal health has largely depended on epidemiological methods that demonstrate involvement in biological processes. Most data relate only to three essential metals (Zn, Cu, and Fe) and one non-essential (Cd) metal. Trace elements have been investigated mainly in the liver and kidneys because these organs are the main target for their accumulation.

We invite original research papers that deal with the role of trace elements in the health and metabolism of various animal species. Additional topics may include the translation of animal exposure to trace elements into human health, effects of trace element deficiencies and the potentially harmful accumulation of trace elements.

Dr. Anna Winiarska-Mieczan
Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Kwiecień
Guest Editors

Karolina Jachimowicz
Guest Editor Assistant

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Keywords

  • trace elements
  • forage
  • animal nutrition
  • animal physiology
  • trace elements toxicity
  • biological processes
  • trace elements accumulation
  • animal health
  • human health
  • trace element deficiencies

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 10646 KiB  
Article
Effect of Sempervivum tectorum Extract on Some Biomarkers of Reproductive Function and Levels of Some Trace Elements in Male Rats Exposed to Aluminum
by Florin Muselin, Eugenia Dumitrescu, Alexandru O. Doma, Diana Maria Degi, Janos Degi, Jelena Savici, Catalin Cicerone Grigorescu, Diana Brezovan, Ioana Gencia and Romeo T. Cristina
Animals 2024, 14(8), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081196 - 16 Apr 2024
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Aluminum, a contentious trace element found in the environment, has been demonstrated to have harmful effects on both humans and animals. In contrast, Sempervivum tectorum, an evergreen plant, has been found to offer numerous beneficial effects for both humans and animals. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Aluminum, a contentious trace element found in the environment, has been demonstrated to have harmful effects on both humans and animals. In contrast, Sempervivum tectorum, an evergreen plant, has been found to offer numerous beneficial effects for both humans and animals. Therefore, this study aims to assess the protective effect of S. tectorum on certain reproductive biomarkers in male rats exposed to aluminum. Thirty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: NTC (no-treatment control) received distilled water; NC (negative control) received drinking water containing 1 mg/L aluminum sulfate (AS); E1 received 1 mg/L AS along with an 8% S. tectorum extract; PC (positive control) received only 8% S. tectorum extract; E2 received 1 mg/L AS for three months followed by 8% extract for one month. The study analyzed testosterone, LH, FSH, body weight, and the histological structure of the testis, epididymis, and prostate, as well as the levels of zinc, manganese, copper, and iron in these organs. Significant decreases in body weight, testis, and epididymis size were observed in the aluminum-exposed groups compared to the control, whereas these decreases were not significant in the S. tectorum-treated groups compared to the control. Aluminum exposure led to significant decreases in testosterone and LH levels, with FSH levels showing a nonsignificant decrease in males, which were mitigated significantly by the administration of the plant extract. Histological analysis revealed alterations in the testis, epididymis, and prostate of the AS-exposed groups, including necrosis of seminiferous tubule epithelium and Leydig cells in the testis, and basal epithelial necrosis in the epididymis and prostate. Aluminum levels increased in all organs studied, while levels of zinc, copper, iron, and manganese decreased, showing a negative and significant correlation with aluminum levels. The aqueous extract of S. tectorum demonstrated a protective effect on certain studied biomarkers in male rats affected by aluminum exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Trace Element in Animal Health and Metabolic: Second Edition)
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13 pages, 822 KiB  
Article
Fatty Acid Profile and Dietary Value of Thigh Meat of Broiler Chickens Receiving Mineral or Organic Forms of Zn
by Anna Winiarska-Mieczan, Małgorzata Kwiecień, Cezary Purwin, Karolina Jachimowicz-Rogowska, Marta Borsuk-Stanulewicz, Paulina Pogorzelska-Przybyłek and Bożena Kiczorowska
Animals 2024, 14(8), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081156 - 11 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1014
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mineral (sulphate) or organic (glycine chelate) forms of Zn used in quantities covering 100% or 50% of the Zn requirement on the fatty acid profile of the thigh muscles of Ross 308 broiler chickens. [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mineral (sulphate) or organic (glycine chelate) forms of Zn used in quantities covering 100% or 50% of the Zn requirement on the fatty acid profile of the thigh muscles of Ross 308 broiler chickens. We also analysed the dietary value of this meat based on its fatty acid profile. The experimental factors did not influence the content of basic chemical components and the meat’s pH. Although, in terms of statistics, the presented study supports the statement that the form (sulphate vs. glycine chelate) and/or amount of Zn used (100% or 50% of the requirement) affects the fatty acid profile and dietary value of thigh meat, the results imply that the requirement of Ross 308 broiler chickens for Zn was also covered in full when in it was used in amounts covering 50% of the requirement, irrespective of the form in which Zn was used. However, it cannot be explicitly confirmed that the form of Zn affects the analysed parameters of thigh meat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Trace Element in Animal Health and Metabolic: Second Edition)
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15 pages, 2510 KiB  
Article
Development of a Predictive Model for Iron Levels in Bovine Muscle Tissue Using Hair as a Predictor
by Kirill Narozhnykh
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071028 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 967
Abstract
The assessment of iron levels in cattle muscle tissue is crucial for livestock management because it influences both animal health and meat quality, key factors in sustainable development. This study aimed to develop an optimal model for noninvasively predicting the iron content in [...] Read more.
The assessment of iron levels in cattle muscle tissue is crucial for livestock management because it influences both animal health and meat quality, key factors in sustainable development. This study aimed to develop an optimal model for noninvasively predicting the iron content in Hereford cattle muscle tissue, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the animals’ elemental status. The research involved the atomic absorption analysis of muscle tissue and hair samples from cattle. A regression model was constructed using the least squares method to identify the most effective approach. These findings have ecological applications, aiding in evaluating environmental health and establishing acceptable iron thresholds for animals. The proposed mathematical model utilizing biomarkers (levels of Mg, K, Fe, Al, Cr in hair) will allow for the assessment of iron levels in cattle muscle tissue throughout the period of productive use, with the possibility of adjustment and tracking the changes in elemental status over time. The utilization of the developed method will enable the diagnosis of animal elementosis and assessment of the iron level burden. Subsequently, this will allow for the improvement of the qualitative characteristics of the final product. Thus, the obtained data contribute to fundamental knowledge regarding the content and variability of iron levels in the muscle tissue of cattle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Trace Element in Animal Health and Metabolic: Second Edition)
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