Effect of different levels of zinc supplementation in organic and inorganic forms on production performance, digestibility and blood parameters of ewes grazing in pasture

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran

2 Dept. of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of animal Science, Gorgan University of agricultural Science,

3 Professor, Department of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran

4 PhD, Department of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran

10.22034/as.2026.66730.1776

Abstract

Effect of different levels of zinc supplementation in organic and inorganic forms on production performance, digestibility and blood parameters of ewes grazing in pasture

Abstract
Introduction: Metabolic enhancers such as anabolic steroids, somatotropin, beta-agonists, vitamins and minerals, fed to livestock at supra-nutritional levels, increase growth rate, improve feed efficiency, increase meat and milk production, reduce carcass fat and improve reproductive performance. Among the most important metabolic enhancers are minerals. Among the various elements, zinc, as an essential micronutrient for the livestock body, can be used as a metabolic enhancer (Dominguez-Vara et al., 2009). Zinc is an essential trace element that, despite its low storage space in the body, is important for growth, development and maintenance of many physiological functions in ewes and plays an important role in various metabolic processes including digestion, immunity and reproduction (Suttle, 2010). Zinc is found in many enzyme systems such as carbonic anhydrase, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, thymidine kinase, and plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and in the synthesis and function of nucleic acids (Jia et al., 2008). Zinc, which acts as a redox receptor or an activating signal, is a potent inducer of metallothionein, which scavenges free radicals (Faulkner et al., 2017). Zinc is a key component of many metalloenzymes and transcription factors that improve nutrient metabolism in ruminants (Hara et al., 2017), and zinc deficiency in diets is associated with decreased appetite, reduced growth performance (Bellotti et al., 2021), reduced feed efficiency (Garg et al., 2008), and weakness in the body's antioxidant system (Kannan et al., 2022).
Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 lactating Afshari ewes with an average live weight of 50± 3.2 kg and an age of 4-5 years were used in 5 treatments with 10 replications based on a completely randomized design. After initial hygiene measures and ensuring the health of the animals, the ewes were randomly grouped and studied for a period of 60 days. Treatments included: 1) control (without receiving zinc supplementation), 2) use of mineral zinc supplementation according to NRC recommendations, 3) use of organic zinc supplementation according to NRC recommendations, 3) use of mineral zinc supplementation twice the NRC recommendations, and 5) use of organic zinc supplementation twice the NRC recommendations. According to NRC recommendations, 25 mg of zinc is required daily for dairy ewes (National Research Council, 2007). To calculate weight changes, ewes were weighed weekly after 16 hours of fasting using a digital scale. The average daily weight gain was calculated by dividing the weight gain during the experimental period by the number of experimental days. To measure the digestibility of ewes, fecal and feed samples were collected on days 45 to 50 to perform digestibility tests. The average milk production during the period was calculated and recorded. Milking was performed by hand and the amount of milk produced was calculated to determine daily milk production (24 hours). To determine milk composition, 15-20 ml of ewes’ milk was sent to the laboratory once a week for measurement of its contents, and milk composition (dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, ash, and non-fat solids) was measured using a Milkoscan device made in Bulgaria. To collect blood from ewes, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein (vein) on the last day of the study, 3 hours after morning feeding.
Results and Discussion: Ewes receiving zinc supplementation had higher final weight gain, total weight gain, and daily weight gain than control ewes (P<0.05). The highest final weight, total weight gain, and daily weight gain were reported for the group receiving organic zinc at twice the NRC recommendation (P<0.05). According to the results, zinc supplementation caused significant changes in milk production, milk fat, milk protein, and milk solids (P<0.05). Ewes receiving organic zinc supplementation as recommended by the NRC, inorganic zinc supplementation at twice the NRC recommendation, and organic zinc supplementation at twice the NRC recommendation had higher milk production than the group receiving inorganic zinc supplementation as recommended by the NRC (P<0.05). The highest milk fat percentage and the lowest milk protein and milk solids were reported in the treatment receiving organic zinc at twice the NRC recommendation (P<0.05). Zinc supplementation had no effect on dry matter, lactose, and milk ash of the different experimental groups. The use of organic and inorganic zinc supplements according to the NRC recommendation and twice the NRC recommendation had no effect on the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber of the different treatments. The use of zinc supplements in different amounts and forms caused significant changes in glucose, zinc, and copper concentrations between treatments. The highest glucose concentration was reported in the treatment consuming organic zinc at twice the NRC recommendation, followed by the treatments receiving inorganic and organic zinc according to the NRC recommendation.
Conclusion: Different levels of zinc supplementation in organic and inorganic forms improved weight changes, milk production and composition, glucose concentration, and blood zinc in lactating ewes. Ewes receiving organic zinc supplementation as recommended by the NRC, mineral zinc supplementation twice the NRC recommendation, and organic zinc supplementation twice the NRC recommendation had higher milk production than other treatments. Therefore, according to the results obtained, the use of organic zinc supplementation at twice the NRC recommendation in the diet of lactating ewes is recommended.
Keywords: Blood parameters, Zinc, Digestibility, Pasture, Afshari sheep
Keywords: Blood parameters, Zinc, Digestibility, Pasture, Afshari sheep

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Animal Science Research
Volume 36, Issue 2
September 2026
Pages 61-75

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 05 July 2026
  • Accept Date: 08 July 2026

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