Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the relationships between ruminal juice, urine, serum and fecal Zinc (Zn) concentrations in experimentally Zn deficient lambs. Fifteen lambs with average age 5-6 months and body weight 28-30 kg were divided into two groups, first group (10 lambs) for induction of Zn deficiency and the second group (5 lambs) as control one. Ruminal juice, urine, serum and fecal samples were collected every two weeks until 12 weeks for measuring of Zn. The results revealed that alopecia, skin abnormalities, loss of appetite and emaciation were shown in experimentally induced Zn deficient lambs from the 6th week. Serum, ruminal juice, fecal and urine Zn concentrations were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the experimentally induced Zn deficient lambs from the 8th, 10th, 6th and 8th week respectively than that of the control one. Significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ALP and SOD were detected in Zn deficient lambs than that of control one. Significant (p < 0.05-0.01) positive correlations between serum Zn and urine, ruminal juice and fecal Zn were detected. There was significant positive correlation between ruminal juice and urine Zn. There was significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation between urine and fecal Zn. Evaluation of Zn concentrations in different body fluids rather than blood serum can be used as diagnostic tool for diagnosis of Zn deficiency in lambs. Fecal Zn concentration can be used as a biomarker for early diagnosis of Zn deficiency in lambs.
Highlights
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element and many physiological processes are impaired if it is not supplied in sufficient quantities in the diet
Zn is a component of many metalloenzyme such as copperZn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), carbonic anhydrase, alcohol dehydrogenase, carboxypeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and RNA polymerase, which affect on the metabolism of carbohydrate, proteins, lipids and nucleic acid, Zn has an influence on immune system (NRC, 1985; Shankar and Prasad, 1998) as well as is a component of thymulin
alkaline phosphatase (AP) and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased from the 10th. week in Zn deficient lambs than that of control ones
Summary
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element and many physiological processes are impaired if it is not supplied in sufficient quantities in the diet. The animals deficient in Zn exhibit atrophy of the thymolymphatic system, depressed cell-mediated immunity and increased to infection. Secondary Zn deficiency may be caused by several factors such as the consumption of immature grasses which affects digestibility, the feeding of latecut hay which may be poorly digestible and the Corresponding author: Dr ABDELGHANY HEFNAWY E-mail address: abdelghany_hefnawy @yahoo.com Present address: Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, 13736 Moshtohor – Egypt. High Ca content of the diet raised the Zn requirement and reduces Zn absorption (Miller, 1967). We try to use body fluids rather than blood such as, feces, urine and ruminal juice and their relationships for determination of its Zn contents as a trial for early diagnosis of Zn deficiency in sheep
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
