Zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and oxidative stress
Oxidative stress refers to the organism when subjected to a variety of harmful stimuli, the body of highly reactive molecules such as reactive oxygen radicals and reactive nitrogen radicals produce too much, the degree of oxidation exceeds the removal of oxides, the oxidation system and the antioxidant system is out of balance, thus leading to tissue damage, which is an important factor in the development of disease and aging of the organism. The stronger the body’s ability to resist oxidative stress, the less likely the cow is to contract disease.
Zinc and oxidative stress
Zinc plays an important role in the organism’s resistance to oxidative stress. Zinc can prevent metal ions from reacting with hydrogen peroxide and superoxide to form hydroxyl radicals. Zinc is one of the important metal cofactors of copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), and a deficiency of zinc significantly reduces Cu/Zn-SOD activity. Zinc activates glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the body and reduces free radicals in the body. Zinc deficiency reduces the amount of active GSH-Px in the organism, leading to increased lipid peroxidation, resulting in increased GSH-Px consumption and reduced activity. Zinc also induces hepatic synthesis of metallothionein (MT), which counteracts free radical damage.
Copper and oxidative stress
Moderate amounts of copper have an anti-oxidative stress effect in organisms. Copper is an essential component of copper cyanoproteins, which are resistant to free radical damage; copper is the active center of copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) in the enzyme antioxidant system. Copper deficiency leads to a significant decrease in the content of copper-cyanin and the activity of Cu/Zn-SOD, resulting in a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the organism. Copper deficiency can lead to the deposition of iron in the tissues of the organism, and iron can lead to the production of free radicals.
Manganese and oxidative stress
Manganese is an important component of Mn-SOD, which mainly exists in the mitochondrial matrix, and is a free radical scavenger in organisms, and its main role is to avoid the damage of free radicals to the mitochondrial membrane. Manganese deficiency reduces the activity of Mn-SOD, thus reducing the antioxidant capacity of the organism.
Selenium and oxidative stress
Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), an important component of the cellular antioxidant system, which reduces peroxidized lipids and ensures the integrity of biological membranes. Selenium deficiency will not only lead to fetal coat failure, but will also impair the bactericidal ability of neutrophils, leading to an increase in mastitis.
Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium and Immune Function
Zinc and immune function
Zinc is one of the most essential trace elements in the body’s immune system, and its various biochemical functions are very important for maintaining the normal immune function of the organism. Zinc deficiency can damage the function of the thymus gland, reduce the phagocytosis of neutrophils and macrophages, reduce the activity of natural killer cells, and increase the chances of viral and bacterial infections and mycobacterial infections; the chances of infections and inflammation of the cow’s body are increased.
Copper and immune function
Copper plays an important role in the immune process. Copper deficiency reduces the number of lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues and organs. Copper is an important structural component of serum immunoglobulin, and copper deficiency leads to defects in T-lymphocyte function. Copper also activates the activity of natural killer cells, macrophages and the function of lymphokines, which are mainly bactericidal and bacteriolytic and play a role in phagocytosis and antibody defense. Copper deficiency causes a decline in cellular immunity, humoral immunity and non-specific immune function.
Manganese and immune function
Divalent manganese can stimulate immune organs to produce immune cells, thus enhancing the cellular immune function of the body. Manganese can increase the content of interferon in the body and enhance the phagocytosis of macrophages. Manganese deficiency will lead to a decrease in the weight of immune organs such as the thymus and spleen. Insufficient or excessive manganese will inhibit the production of antibodies.
Selenium and immune function
Selenium deficiency reduces the ability of neutrophils in the blood and milk of dairy cows to kill mastitis pathogens and reduces the amount of free radicals in neutrophils. Decrease the phagocytosis of macrophages and the function of lymphokines. This leads to a decrease in the immunity of the cow’s organism and makes her susceptible to mastitis.
