Dairy Study Reveals Improved Immune Response with MINTREX® Chelated Trace Minerals

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent university study of early lactation dairy cows revealed improved immune response when treated with MINTREX^® chelated trace minerals from Novus International, Inc. Cows fed MINTREX were able to generate an elevated antibody response to a pathogen, which better enabled them to fight infection. The study was published in the August edition of Journal of Dairy Science, (95:8 p. 4568-4577).

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The trial was conducted at the University of Delaware with the objective to compare performance, plasma and milk mineral levels, and to measure innate and adaptive immune function in early lactation cows fed copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) by either inorganic trace minerals or MINTREX chelated trace minerals.

Twenty-five Holstein cows were assigned to two groups, based on calving date, to a 12-week randomized complete block design study. The first group had greater days in milk (DIM; 77 DIM at start of study) than the second group (32 DIM at start of study). Cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: supplementation of Cu, Mn and Zn through inorganic trace minerals or MINTREX chelated trace minerals. A rabies vaccination, administered at week 8, was used as a model vaccination to allow for exposure to a novel antigen and elicit a primary vaccine response.

Cows supplemented with MINTREX showed a more robust antibody response to the model vaccination. They also showed numerically increased neutrophil phagocytosis, which means the animals' white blood cells were better able to ingest bacterial pathogens. Additionally, increased levels of copper were seen in milk concentrations of cows fed MINTREX, demonstrating a higher bioavailability than inorganic minerals.

"Trace minerals have traditionally been fed as inorganic compounds such as sulfate salts," commented Dr. Geoff Zanton, Global Dairy Research Manager, at Novus. "Organic forms of Cu, Mn and Zn, as is found in MINTREX chelated trace minerals, increase intestinal absorption and mineral bioavailability. This study affirms that cows fed MINTREX are healthier and better able to perform optimally."

The trace minerals Cu, Mn and Zn are required to support a dairy cow's immune system. A deficiency in trace minerals, especially Zn, can negatively affect a cow's immune function and natural ability to fight off infection. When that happens, the animal is more susceptible to disorders and lower overall performance. The superior bioavailability of MINTREX chelated trace minerals assures that the mineral is available for absorption by the cow rather than passed through the digestive system. Once absorbed, the mineral can be put to use in areas such as the immune system, helping the cow to stay healthy and productive and ultimately improving the producers' bottom line.

For more information visit www.novusint.com

About Novus International, Inc.

Novus International, Inc. is headquartered in metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. and serves customers in nearly 100 countries around the world. A global leader in developing animal health and nutrition solutions, Novus's products include ALIMET^® and MHA^® feed supplements, ACTIVATE^® nutritional feed acid, ACIDOMIX^® preservative premixture, ADVENT^® coccidiosis control, MINTREX^® chelated trace minerals, SANTOQUIN^® feed preservative, MERA™MET aquaculture feed additive, AGRADO^® feed ingredient and many other specialty ingredients. Arenus^® (www.arenus.com) is a division of Novus Nutrition Brands, LLC (a subsidiary of Novus International, Inc.) that focuses on developing health and dietary supplements for the equine and companion animal markets. Stratum® Nutrition, a division of Novus Nutrition Brands, LLC, focuses on human nutrition through specialty and functional ingredients for manufacturers of foods, beverages and dietary supplements (www.stratumnutrition.com). Novus is privately owned by Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. and Nippon Soda Co., Ltd. For more information visit www.novusint.com

^®Novus, ALIMET, MHA, ACTIVATE, ACIDOMIX, CIBENZA, MAAC, MINTREX, SANTOQUIN and AGRADO are trademarks of Novus International, Inc. and are registered in the United States and other countries. ^®ADVENT is a trademark of Viridus Animal Health, LLC, and is registered in the United States and other countries. ^®ARENUS is a registered trademark of Novus Nutrition Brands, LLC. ^®STRATUM NUTRITION is a trademark of Novus Nutrition Brands, LLC, and is registered in the United States and other countries. ^™MERA and SOLUTIONS SERVICE SUSTAINABILITY are trademarks of Novus International, Inc. © 2012 Novus International, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contacts: Tracy Barfield
636.794.2411
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SOURCE Novus International, Inc.