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

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 its 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.