Feeding a newborn calf in the first hours plays a key role in its survival, health and lifetime performance. Due to the nutritional and biological value of the compounds it contains, colostrum is the calf’s primary food source. Neonatal calves are more susceptible to diseases, and contaminated (such as potentially toxic elements) colostrum may pose health risks. This study aimed to analyse the concentrations and correlations of essential and non-essential elements in colostrum and blood samples, and to assess the potential health risks by estimating the daily intake (EDI). The concentrations in the colostrum were ranked as Sr > Ba > Al > As and Mg > Zn > Fe > Se > Cu > Mo > Cr, whereas in the blood they were ranked as Al > Sr > Ba > As/Ni and Mg > Sn > Fe > Cu > Zn > Se > Cr. Statistically significant positive and negative correlations were identified between the concentrations of elements in colostrum and blood. Although Ba, Cr(III), Cu, Fe, Ni and Sr do not pose a health risk to neonatal calves, Al, As, Cr(IV), Se and Zn may do so according to the EDIs. Colostrum samples were insufficient to meet the daily requirements for Co, Cu, Fe and Mn, and the daily exposure to Se and Zn may pose health risks to calves. Studies involving species-specific parameters and exposure scenarios are needed to adapt the risk assessment method, which could be a key tool in preventive animal health medicine.
Altınok-Yi̇pel et al. (Thu,) studied this question.