The Effects of Boron Mineral on Performance, Bone and Mineral Metabolism in Purebred Arabian Foals

Abstract

Boron plays significant roles in various biological systems, including mineral, lipid, and energy metabolism, immune and endocrine systems, and brain function. It has been suggested to enhance performance and may prevent conditions such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and arthritis. Despite these known benefits, its effects on growth performance and mineral metabolism in horses remain understudied, particularly in young animals like Purebred Arabian foals. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of boron supplementation (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/day per animal) on the performance (live weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio) and bone and mineral metabolism in Purebred Arabian foals. A total of 32 Purebred Arabian foals with similar initial live weights were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of eight animals. The experimental groups were as follows: Control Group (K Group): No boron supplementation. B5 Group: Received 5 mg/day of elemental boron. B10 Group: Received 10 mg/day of elemental boron. B15 Group: Received 15 mg/day of elemental boron. Boric acid was used as the boron source, and the study spanned 90 days. Feed intake, live weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were monitored. Measurements of metacarpal diameter, withers height, and chest circumference were recorded. Serum samples were analyzed for ALP, P, Mg, Ca, B, PTH, cortisol, calcitonin, osteocalcin, and vitamin D3 levels. Performance: Feed intake was similar across all groups (P > 0.05). However, the B15 group exhibited the highest live weight gain, daily weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency (P < 0.05). Bone and Mineral Metabolism: Serum levels of ALP, P, and Mg showed no significant differences between groups (P > 0.05). While no significant main effect of group was found for metacarpal diameter (P > 0.05), a highly significant time & times; group interaction was detected (P < 0.001), indicating that boron supplementation modulated the developmental trajectory of the skeleton. Serum calcium (Ca) levels on day 90 were significantly higher in the B15 group compared to the control group (P = 0.03). Serum boron (B) levels increased linearly with the administered dose (P < 0.001). Serum cortisol levels on day 90 were significantly higher in the B10 and B15 groups compared to the control (P = 0.004). Calcitonin and osteocalcin levels showed a dose-dependent linear increase, peaking in the B15 group on day 90 (P < 0.001). Vitamin D3 and PTH levels did not differ significantly among the groups (P > 0.05). Boron supplementation positively influenced growth performance and bone and mineral metabolism in Purebred Arabian foals, with the 15 mg/day dose showing the most pronounced benefits. These findings suggest that boron supplementation could be an a promising nutritional strategy to enhance growth performance and mineral metabolism in young horses. Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects and potential applications in equine nutrition and management. However, further long-term studies are required to confirm these findings and determine optimal supplementation levels.