Zeolite clinoptilolite nanoporous feed additive for animals of veterinary importance: potentials and limitations

Authors

  • Hrvoje Valpotić Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Damjan Gračner Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Romana Turk Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Dražen Đuričić Veterinary Practice Đurđevac
  • Silvijo Vince Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Ivan Folnožić Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Marina Lojkić Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Ivona Žura Žaja Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Ljiljana Bedrica Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Nino Maćešić
  • Iva Getz Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Tomislav Dobranić Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb
  • Marko Samardžija Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18054/pb.v119i3.5434

Abstract

In the past two decades many substances of natural or synthetic origin were studied as potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) and some of them, particularly immunomodulators (IMs) and nutraceuticals (NCs), have shown to be capable of stimulating functions of the immune system and improving general health. At the same time, they were shown to be harmless for animals and the environment. Promising results have been obtained with natural clay minerals, zeolites among which clinoptilolite (CPL) is the best known as zootechnical and biomedical feed ingredient widely reported in scientific literature and used in farm animal nutrition. CPL has a potential to replace AGP due to its unique anti-bacterial properties, safety and efficacy as dietary supplement in food animals unifying potentials of an IM and NC. Currently, there are many reasons for CPL utilization in animal biotechnology and veterinary medicine because of it’s detoxificating, antioxidant, hemostatic, anti-diarrheic, growth-promoting and immunostimulating properties. Also, in human medicine it is an adjuvant in immunodeficiency states, oncology (after chemotherapy and radiotherapy) or reducer of radioactive elements. The aims of this review were to compile and discuss scientific data on safety and efficiency of nutritive modulation by dietary CPL (and other zeolites) as an alternative to AGP in animals of veterinary importance In particular the aim is to analyse its potentials and limitations in cattle regarding metabolic and endocrine status, oxidative stress and systemic/local inflammatory responses involved in reproductive and metabolic disorders of dairy cows. Altogether, these analyses will contribute to objective validation of practical significance of CPL as a novel feed additive able to maintain and improve health, fertility and performance in cattle production.

 

Author Biographies

Hrvoje Valpotić, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Department of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, Assistant Professor

Damjan Gračner, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Clinic for Internal Diseases, Full Professor

Romana Turk, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Department of Pathophysiology, Associate Professor

Dražen Đuričić, Veterinary Practice Đurđevac

Veterinary Practice Đurđevac, Assistant Professor

Silvijo Vince, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Clinic of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Assistant Professor

Ivan Folnožić, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Clinic of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Assistant Professor

Marina Lojkić, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Clinic of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Associate Professor

Ivona Žura Žaja, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Postdoctoral Reseacher

Ljiljana Bedrica, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Clinic fof Internal Diseases, Full Professor

Nino Maćešić

Clinic of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Assistant Professor

Iva Getz, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Clinic of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Associate Professor

Tomislav Dobranić, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Clinic of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Full Professor

Marko Samardžija, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb

Clinic for Obstetrics and Reproduction, Full Professor

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Published

2017-10-31

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Articles