# The Impact of Feeding Organic Trace Minerals Using Advanced Chelate Technology on Reproductive Efficiency and Blood Parameters in Ghezel Ewes

## TL;DR

Using organic trace minerals with advanced chelate technology improved reproductive performance in Ghezel ewes compared to inorganic minerals.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that organic trace minerals using advanced chelate technology enhance reproductive outcomes in ewes.

## Key findings

- OTM group showed 80% first-cycle pregnancy rate, higher lambing and twinning rates.
- OTM increased T3, T4, and triglycerides compared to other groups.
- Follicle number and hormone levels were not significantly affected by treatments.

## Abstract

The bioavailability of trace minerals (TM) in a diet is important for improving reproductive performance and fertility parameters.

This study evaluated the effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with organic trace minerals (OTM), formulated using advanced chelate technology, on the reproductive performance and blood attributes of ewes.

Forty ewes were subjected to a five‐week intervention in four dietary groups (n = 10): (1) OTM: flushed with organic trace minerals (Bonzaplex‐7); (2) ITM: flushed with inorganic trace minerals; (3) NTM: flushed without adding trace minerals; and (4) CON: grazed only on pasture. Oestrus synchronization was performed based on two doses of 75 µg cloprostenol with 12 days interval + 400 IU eCG injection. The number of follicles and pregnancy were determined by ultrasound. Blood samples were collected at predetermined time points during the experimental period (Days 0, 11, 14 and 34).

OTM (80%) and ITM (90%) groups exhibited higher first‐cycle pregnancy rates, as well as improved lambing and twinning rates. OTM demonstrated the greatest efficiency across all reproductive indices. However, follicle number was not affected by the treatments. Also, T3 and T4, as well as triglycerides, were higher in the OTM group as compared with other groups (p < 0.05). Serum estradiol, progesterone and antioxidant enzymes were not affected by treatments (p > 0.05).

Overall, supplementing advanced chelate technology‐based OTM in the flushing diet improved the reproductive performance of ewes.

Supplementing the flushing diet with organic trace minerals based on advanced chelate technology enhanced the reproductive performance of ewes as compared with inorganic trace minerals.