Deficient Lambs Research Articles

THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN RUMINAL JUICE, URINE, SERUM AND FECAL ZINC IN EXPERIMENTALLY ZINC DEFICIENT OSSIMI LAMBS

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.

The Effect of Experimentally Induced Vitamin E and Selenium Deficiency on Erythrocytes Osmotic Fragility and Phagocytosis in Pregnant Awassi Ewes and Their Newborn Lamb

Experimental induction of vitamin E and selenium deficiency using deficient diet was carried out on fourteen pregnant Awassi ewes and their newborn lambs to study the effect of the deficiency on erythrocytes osmotic fragility and phagocytosis. From the fourteen deficient ewes, seven were vaccinated with Rev I vaccine and seven ewes as control group, and their newborn lambs were used in the study. Results were showed increased in the concentration of saline solution in start and complete erythrocyte hemolysis in deficient lambs (0.52 ± 0.01 and 0.54 ± 0.01) and (0.42 ± 0.01 and 0.44 ± 0.00) respectively and in deficient ewes (0.53 ± 0.01 and 0.54 ± 0.01) and (0.43 ± 0.01 and 0.44 ± 0.00) respectively. Results showed a low phagocytic index in deficient lambs (9.40 ± 0.87 and 10.60 ± 1.16) and in deficient ewes (12.14 ± 0.85 and 12.42 ± 0.75) compared to phagocytic index in control lambs (43.85±0.91) and in control ewes (43.14 ±0.91).

Effects of protein deficiency on the mRNA levels of insulin‐like growth factors and myostatin in skeletal muscle of weaned lambs

ABSTRACTWe investigated the effect of protein deficiency on mRNA levels of insulin‐like growth factors (IGF‐I and ‐II) and myostatin in skeletal muscle of weaned lambs. Weaned lambs were given a control diet (crude protein, 18%) or a low protein diet (crude protein, 5.7%) for 20 days. A small piece of the M. longissimus thoracis was collected by surgical biopsy at the end of feeding trial. The mRNAs of IGFs and myostatin were determined using a real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were also collected to measure plasma concentrations of IGF‐I and serum urea nitrogen. Control lambs gained normally, whereas the bodyweight of the animals given the low protein diet was maintained and was significantly lower than that of the control from 10 days of the onset of feeding trial. Protein deficiency affected neither IGF mRNAs nor myostatin mRNA in the muscle. The expression of these mRNAs was unlikely to respond sensitively to protein deficiency in the muscle. However, serum IGF‐I concentration was significantly lower in the protein deficient lambs than in the control animals. Therefore, we consider that the retardation of muscular growth does not depend on the local mRNA expression of these factors in protein deficient lambs, but the reduction of serum IGF‐I, at least, partly contributes to the suppression of growth.

The use of a soluble glass zinc, cobalt and selenium bolus to correct zinc deficiency in sheep

Sub clinical zinc deficiency has been suggested to be involved in disease conditions such as broken mouth periodontitis, footrot and mastitis. However, although there is little risk of primary deficiency in the UK. there are large areas around the Mediterranean. Northern Africa and North America that are reported to be deficient in zinc. Therefore a method that could deleiver a long term continuous supply of zinc would be beneficial in these situations. This trial was designed to examine zinc availability from a zinc, cobalt and selenium soluble glass bolus administered to zinc deficient lambs fed on a low zinc diet throughout the trial.

The use of a soluble glass zinc, cobalt and selenium bolus to correct zinc deficiency in sheep

Sub clinical zinc deficiency has been suggested to be involved in disease conditions such as broken mouth periodontitis, footrot and mastitis. However, although there is little risk of primary deficiency in the UK. there are large areas around the Mediterranean. Northern Africa and North America that are reported to be deficient in zinc. Therefore a method that could deleiver a long term continuous supply of zinc would be beneficial in these situations. This trial was designed to examine zinc availability from a zinc, cobalt and selenium soluble glass bolus administered to zinc deficient lambs fed on a low zinc diet throughout the trial.

The effect of cobalt supplementation on the immune response in vitamin B 12 deficient Texel lambs

The effect of cobalt supplementation on the immune reactivity in vitamin B 12 deficient lambs was measured by comparing the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against bovine herpes virus type 1 and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. In addition, faecal egg counts were performed after natural infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. The experiments were performed with registered Texel twin lambs of the same sex. One lamb of each twin received three cobalt pellets divided over the grazing period. The non-supplemented lambs had lower serum vitamin B 12 levels than their supplemented brother or sister. Our results demonstrate significantly lower lymphoblastic responses against Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in non-supplemented lambs compared with supplemented lambs 4 weeks after paratuberculosis vaccination. Vitamin B 12 deficient lambs in this study had significant higher faecal egg counts than their supplemented brother or sister after natural infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. No differences were found in total and differential white blood cell counts, in total protein, albumin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-globulin and in antibody production against bovine herpes virus type 1 and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.

Influence of dietary zinc and dexamethasone on immune responses and resistance to Pastuerella hemolytica challenge in growing lambs

Stress may suppress immune responses and increase susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia in lambs of marginal zinc (Zn) status to a greater extent than that of Zn adequate lambs. Lambs were fed diets deficient (basal diet deficient in Zn; 5.5 mg Zn/kg of diet), marginal (basal diet + 5 mg Zn/kg of diet) or adequate in Zn (basal diet + 40 mg Zn/kg of diet). Serum Zn was lower with decreasing dietary Zn by d 58. In Period 1 to simulate stress, lambs were injected i.m. with 0.2 mg dexamethasone (DEX)/kg every 24 h for 3 d. Lymphocyte blastogenesis, antibody titers following administration of chick RBCs and an in vivo response to phytohemagglutinin were not affected by dietary Zn. In Period 2, lambs were administered DEX for 3 d followed by intratracheal inoculation with 1 × 10 8 cfu of Pasteurella hemolytica. Clinical signs of pneumonia were not apparent in any of the lambs 72 h after inoculation. Adrenal weights were higher for deficient lambs when compared to marginal lambs. Adrenal weights for deficient and marginal lambs were not different from Zn adequate lambs. Adrenal, thymus and spleen zinc concentrations, and thymus and spleen weights were not affected by dietary Zn. These results indicate that dexamethasone did not suppress immune responses or increase susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia in lambs fed inadequate dietary Zn to a greater extent than that of lambs fed adequate dietary Zn.

In Vitro and In Vivo Immunological Measurements in Growing Lambs Fed Diets Deficient, Marginal or Adequate in Zinc

Abstract Semi-purified diets, severely deficient (basal diet, 3.7 mg Zn/kg of diet), marginally deficient (basal diet + 5 mg Zn/kg of diet) or adequate (basal diet + 40 mg Zn/kg of diet) in zinc (Zn), were used to determine the effect of dietary Zn on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in growing lambs. Dry matter intake, daily gain, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and serum Zn were lower for severely deficient lambs. The total number of peripheral blood leukocytes and an in vivo response to phytohemagglutinin were not affected by treatment. Severe Zn deficiency resulted in a lower percentage of lymphocytes and higher percentage of neutrophils in peripheral blood. Lymphocyte blastogenesis, measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation into peripheral blood lymphocytes, was lower when lymphocytes from severely deficient lambs were incubated with concentrations of phytohemagglutinin that were suboptimal for maximum proliferation. Blastogenesis was higher when lymphocytes from severely deficient lambs ...

Dietary Zinc Affects Serum Concentrations of Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I in Growing Lambs

Glucose tolerance and concentrations of insulin, somatotropin, insulin-like growth factor-I and cortisol were evaluated in lambs deficient, marginal or adequate in zinc. There were three treatments: 1) deficient (basal diet deficient in zinc; 3.7 mg zinc/kg diet); 2) marginal (basal diet + 5 mg zinc/kg diet); and 3) adequate (basal diet + 40 mg zinc/kg diet). Lambs fed the zinc-deficient diet had lower (P < 0.05) serum insulin concentrations 1 h after feeding compared with those fed the marginal diet, whereas the concentrations in lambs fed the adequate diet were intermediate. Dietary zinc did not affect plasma glucose or serum somatotropin before or after feeding or intravenous glucose administration. A growth hormone-releasing factor analog was given to evaluate concentrations of somatotropin. Serum somatotropin in response to growth hormone-releasing factor analog tended to be higher (P = 0.20) in deficient and marginal lambs when compared with adequate lambs. Serum insulin-like growth factor-I was lower (P < 0.05) in deficient lambs than in marginal or adequate lambs. Cortisol concentrations were not affected (P > 0.05) by zinc status. Severe zinc deficiency altered circulating concentrations of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I and somatotropin, whereas a marginal deficiency had no effect in growing lambs.

Effects of dietary zinc deficiency on plasma inorganic phosphorus, calcium and alkaline phosphatase in growing lambs

Effects of a Zn deficient diet over a 100-day period, on body weight, plasma Zn levels, alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, inorganic P and Ca concentrations were investigated in eight male lambs. Zn deficiency for 20 days resulted in slower growth and impairment of body weight increase. Zn deficient lambs had a 36% decline in body weight at the end of the experiment. This reduction in performance was related to a significant decrease in plasma Zn concentration, P levels and AP activity, while Ca showed normal levels. Changes observed are discussed according to current concepts on association of P and Ca metabolism with AP function. Variations of Zn, P and AP values were found to be sensitive indicators of growth impairment due to dietary Zn deficiency in sheep.

Ovine White-Liver Disease (OWLD). Vitamin B12 and Methyl Malonic Acid (MMA) Estimations in Blood

At pasture outlet, mean plasma vitamin B12 varied between 210 and 1,200 pmol/l in 1 month old lambs, 19% of them had values below 250 pmol/l. In those put on OWLD pastures, mean values dropped after 2-4 weeks, and mostly stayed below 150 pmol/l throughout grazing. Plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA) rose above 5 mumol/l 2-8 weeks after outlet, and above 15 mumol/l 4 weeks later. Reduced growth occurred 3-8 weeks after plasma B12 dropped below 150 pmol/l, and 4-6 weeks after MMA rose above 5 mumol/l. Clinical OWLD was most often associated with plasma B12 less than 150 pmol/l and MMA greater than 15 mumol/l. Cobalt fertilization of pastures induced satisfactory plasma B12/MMA values for 3 succeeding years. Elevated plasma B12 was found 3 weeks after Co pellet dosing. The use of Co lick resulted in large individual variations in plasma B12/MMA. The control lambs, which were healthy and grew well on pastures which some years contained marginal/deficient cobalt, had plasma B12/MMA values which varied considerably. One year values indicated functional Co deficiency, but none developed OWLD, and growth was satisfactory, but less than other years. In these lambs, high MMA was not always associated with low B12, or depressed growth. OWLD occurred in Co/B12 deficient lambs, but Co/B12 deficient lambs on other pastures did not develop OWLD.

Ovine White-Liver Disease (OWLD). Trace Elements in Liver

Trace elements in liver were examined in vitamin B12 deficient lambs which developed ovine white-liver disease (OWLD), in cobalt/vitamin B12 supplemented lambs on the same pastures as well as clinically healthy, but sometimes subclinical B12 deficient lambs on other pastures (H). Liver Co was marginal to deficient in both OWLD lambs (S lambs) and H lambs. Supplementation with B12 or Co elevated liver Co. Liver copper was significantly lower in OWLD lambs than in the H lambs, and Co/B12 supplementation on pasture generally had no significant effect on the contents. Dosing lambs on OWLD pastures with copper oxide needles (SCuO), however, resulted in high/toxic liver Cu. Dosing with Co, Se and Cu glass boluses resulted in adequate liver Cu, except for 1 lamb with toxic amounts indicating dissolution and absorption of the bolus. OWLD lambs had significantly lower liver molybdenum than H lambs, and Co/B12 supplementation elevated values, while CuO treatment depressed them. Liver zinc, manganese and selenium are also reported.

Ovine White-Liver Disease (OWLD). Changes in Blood Chemistry

Changes in blood chemistry were examined in vitamin B12 deficient lambs which developed ovine white-liver disease (OWLD), and were compared with values of cobalt/B12 supplemented lambs on the same pastures, as well as clinically healthy, but sometimes B12 deficient, lambs on other pastures (H). In the OWLD group, signs of hepatic damage were seen concurrently with reduction in weight gain, or 1-3 weeks before, and comprised elevation of serum glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and decrease of phospholipid and cholesterol. Drop of plasma glucose and elevation of gamma GT also came in the earlier phase of the disease. All other blood changes developed later, and were partly regarded as reflections of the inappetence or hepatic injury. The changes included a drop in packed cell volume (PCV) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), elevation of serum iron, and reduction of total serum protein and urea. Generally Co/B12 supplementation prevented hepatic damage and normalized blood values. The clinically healthy H lambs also showed signs of hepatic damage, especially one year when they were B12 deficient, indicating that simple B12 deficiency causes a moderate liver damage as well. For diagnostic purposes, clinical pathology is recommended mainly on a flock basis.

Selenium supplementation in lambs: effects on antibody responses to a salmonella vaccine.

In trials conducted in 1984 and 1985, the effects of selenium injections on the antibody responses of lambs marginally deficient in selenium to Salmonella dublin were assessed. Control lambs (mean glutathione peroxidase [GSHPx] less than 20 iu/ml) responded well to the vaccine. No difference was observed in the antibody titres of animals treated twice with 5 mg selenium as sodium selenate. During the following season animals given 50 mg selenium as barium selenate showed slightly higher titres than controls. The results show that marginally selenium deficient lambs are able to elicit strong antibody titres to a bacterial antigen and that supplementation with selenium produces, at best, a marginal enhancement of the responses observed.

Effects of zinc deficiency on the wool growth, skin and wool follicles of pre-ruminant lambs.

Two groups of 1-month-old pre-ruminant lambs of similar mean liveweights were fed identical liquid milk-replacer diets except that the zinc contents were either 5 micrograms (deficient diet) or 32 micrograms per gram of dry matter (control diet). These diets were fed for 4 weeks, after which all the lambs received the control diet for 2 weeks. In the lambs fed the deficient diet plasma zinc concentration decreased markedly during the first 2 weeks and skin lesions developed around their mouths. Autophagic vacuoles also developed in most follicle bulbs along with a variety of defects in the wool fibres and progressive inhibition of wool growth. Food intake and liveweight increase were not significantly depressed until the third and fourth weeks of feeding the deficient diet. During this period the wool was shed from the zinc-deficient lambs as a result of the fibres being degraded and distorted within thickened outer root sheaths in the distal (upper) parts of the follicles. In addition, the epidermis of the wool-bearing skin became slightly acanthotic and hyperkeratotic, although not parakeratotic. When the deficient lambs were fed the control diet for 2 weeks, their food intake, liveweight gain and plasma zinc concentration increased to almost those of the control lambs, but their rate of wool growth was still low and the epidermis had not returned to normal. Compared with previous studies the findings of this study suggest that pre-ruminant lambs may be more susceptible to the effects of zinc deficiency than ruminant lambs.

Selenium proteins in ovine tissues II. Spectral properties of a 10,000 molecular weight selenium protein

A selenium-containing protein of 10,000 molecular weight, which is absent in muscle of selenium deficient lambs, was purified from the muscle extract of lambs injected with selenium. The absorption, circular dichroic, and magnetic circular dichroic spectra of the protein with and without dithionite markedly resemble the oxidized and reduced spectra reported for cytochrome C. Thus, this protein contains a heme group identical to cytochrome C, and may be a selenium containing cytochrome.

Collagenase activity in tissues of selenium responsive myopathic lambs.

SummaryCollagenase activity, measured in terms of amount of hydroxyproline released, was significantly higher in muscle and heart of white muscle diseased (selenium deficient) lambs than normal (selenium supplemented) lambs. No significant differences were found in the activity of this enzyme in liver and kidney between normal and deficient lambs. The significance of these results are discussed.

Zinc Deficiency Syndrome in the Young Lamb

Eighteen lambs averaging 13.5 kg were divided into 6 comparable groups and fed the following diets: basal, basal + 2% polyethylene, basal + 0.61% phytic acid, basal + 0.61% phytic acid + 2% polyethylene, basal + 100 mg zinc/kg, and basal + 100 mg zinc/kg + 2% polyethylene. The basal diet (2.7 mg zinc/kg) was composed of the following: (in per cent) egg whites, 15.00; cellulose, 18.00; glucose monohydrate, 27.02; starch, 27.02; corn oil, 3.00; minerals and vitamins. The animals fed the diets not supplemented with zinc exhibited the following symptoms: anorexia; depraved appetite (eating wool); reduced growth; reduced feed efficiency; loose wool; swollen hocks; red, wrinkled skin; and open lesions of the skin above the hoof and around the eyes. Tissue changes characteristic of the deficiency were decreased tissue zinc and parakeratotic lesions of the skin. Blood changes typical of the deficient animals were decreased serum zinc, decreased serum albumin and increased globulin levels. Excessive salivation, increased rumen propionic acid production and a corresponding reduction in butyric acid were also associated with the deficiency. The zinc deficiency appeared to be less severe in the lambs fed phytic acid. Feeding 100 mg zinc/kg of the basal diet to deficient lambs for 5 weeks completely alleviated most of the deficiency symptoms. The polyethylene added to the diet had little or no effect on performance but appeared to stimulate rumination.

Response of cobalt deficient lambs to cobaltic oxide pellets

Abstract Extract In New Zealand, cobalt-containing drenches are recommended for the field diagnosis of cobalt deficiency, but find little use as a routine method of controlling the disease. For the latter purpose, cobaltized licks have a place on extensively-grazed untopdressed hill country. Otherwise, topdressing pastures annually with cobalt sulphate, usually as cobaltized superphosphate, has proved the best method of prevention (N.Z. Dept. Agric, 1954 N.Z. Dept. Agric. 1954. N.Z. Dept. Agric. Bull., [Google Scholar]; Andrews, 1956 Andrews, E. D. 1956. N.Z. J. Agric., 92: 239–239. [Google Scholar]). In Australia, however, greater reliance has been placed on drenches and licks, partly because cobalt topdressing is regarded as uneconomic on the extensive undeveloped holdings usually associated with cobalt deficiency in that country, and partly because the effects of cobalt applied to the land have often proved ephemeral, particularly on the acutely-deficient calcareous coastal sands (Lee, 1950 Lee, H. J. 1950. Aust. vet. J., 26: 152–152. [Crossref], [PubMed] , [Google Scholar]; Bennetts, 1955 Bennetts, H. W. 1955. J. Agric. West Ami., 4: 42–42. [Google Scholar]). However, recent work in South Australia opens up an entirely new approach to the control of cobalt deficiency disease. Dewey et al. (1958 Dewey, D. W., Lee, H. J. and Marston, H. R. 1958. Nature (Lond), 181: 1367–1367. [Google Scholar]) report that when semi-porous pellets containing cobaltic oxide are administered to sheep they are retained in the reticulum, or less commonly in the rumen, and release a continuous and adequate supply of cobalt to the animal. Phalaris staggers and cobalt deficiency disease can be prevented in this way.