The Effects of Trace Minerals on Stress

“Stress” is defined as a “state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” Most of us probably didn’t need to read the definition to know exactly what stress is. We have all stressed over finances, weather, work, family, and the list goes on. We know how our body responds to stressful situations; the headaches, the fidgeting, the lack of sleep, often leading to noticeable changes in our health. We also know the effect that stress has on our cattle and the subsequent stress it causes us!

While we consider stress to be detrimental, short-term stress actually heightens our sense of awareness to our environment. For cattle, a natural prey animal, this is important as the stress helps to stimulate the “fight or flight” response which can help them avoid predators. The issue with stress is that when it becomes long term, the body can’t keep up. This leads to an immune system that is now deprived of nutrients. So, the stress that saved the cow from the pack of wolves chasing it, now becomes susceptible to the bacteria in the respiratory tract. Unfortunately, cattle respond to many of our management processes such as weaning and vaccination the same way they do to seeing a pack of wolves: by being stressed and spiking levels of cortisol in their blood stream!

While we often think of the importance of trace minerals for improving reproduction and the immune system, we may not realize the effect that trace minerals have on mitigating a stress response. Studies in human medicine have shown that zinc has the ability to block cortisol secretion from the adrenal gland and that selenium can counter the effects of glucocorticoids, hormones that play a vital role in regulating inflammation.

Researchers recently evaluated the effect of delivering trace minerals via injection on the stress response of weaned cattle. In two separate studies^1-2, researchers found that by supplementing cattle with Multimin® 90 (zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium injection), blood cortisol levels were reduced in beef calves (2 months of age or older) after vaccination and at weaning. In one study that evaluated calf behavior², beef calves (2 months of age or older) injected with Multimin 90 also demonstrated less “seeking” or walking the fence line searching for their dam.

By adding Multimin 90 into our preconditioning protocols, we will supplement trace minerals known not only to improve the vaccine response but also to decrease the stress in our calves’ lives. And we all know what that means, less stress in our own lives!

¹Megahed et al. 2023. J of Vet Intern Med

²Vedovatto et al. 2024 Trans. Animal Sci

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR MULTIMIN^® 90: Not for use in humans, keep out of reach of children. Multimin 90 has a preslaughter withdrawal time of 14 days after injection. Do not use during the first trimester of pregnancy or in pre-ruminant calves as safety has not been established. Selenium and copper are toxic if administered in excess and may lead to sudden death, depression, weakness, ataxia, salivation, and drooling. Do not use concurrently with other selenium or copper injections or boluses. Maximum volume per injection site is 7 mL. Allow a minimum of 30 days before considering repeat dosing. See prescribing information.

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