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Effect of zinc deficiency on the pregnant ewe and developing foetus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

David G. Masters
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science and Production, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
R. J. Moir
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science and Production, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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Abstract

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1. Mature Merino ewes were given either a low-zinc diet (4 mg/kg) or an adequate-Zn diet (50 mg/kg) for all or part of pregnancy.

2. The ewes consuming the low-Zn diet consumed 25% less feed than those given the adequate-Zn diet during the last 115 d of pregnancy.

3.Zn concentration in the plasma of Zn-deficient pregnant ewes declined from 0·7 to 0·3 mg/1.

4. The lambs born to Zn-deficient ewes weighed less and had reduced concentrations ofZn or less total Zn, or both, in the whole carcass, liver and pancreas.

5. A reduction in activity of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) in the liver and a slight reduction in thymidine kinase (EC 2.7.1.21) activity in the thymus was also observed in Zn-deficient lambs.

6. The Zn-deficient ewes deposited approximately 63 mg Zn into each single-born lamb;this indicates that during the last third of pregnancy the developing foetuses were accumulating the equivalent of 35% of the total dietary Zn intake of the ewes.

Type
Paper on General Nutrition
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1983

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