The relationships between ruminal juice, urine, serum and fecal zinc in experimentally Zinc deficient Ossimi lambs

الملخص EN

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.