Tissue Response to a Supplement High in Aluminum and Silicon.

Abstract  The objective was to determine the effects of sodium zeolite A (SZA) on mineral metabolism and tissue mineral composition in calves. Twenty calves were placed on study at 3 days of age and were placed into one of two groups: SS, which received 0.05% BW SZA added to their milk replacer, and CO, which received only milk replacer. Blood samples were taken on days 0, 30, and 60 for mineral analysis. Urine and feces were collected on day 30 for mineral metabolism, and on day 60, the calves were euthanized, and samples were taken from numerous organs for mineral analyses. Aluminum retention was increased in the SS calves (p = 0.001). Silicon concentrations were increased in the aorta, spleen, lung, muscle, and kidney of the SS calves, and aluminum was increased in all SS tissues (p p  [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]