Concentration of copper, iron, manganese and zinc in muscle, fat and bone tissue of lambs of the breed German Merino Landsheep in the course of the growing period and different feeding intensities

Abstract

A growth experiment with 108 lambs (breed German Merino Landsheep) was carried out in order to examine how gender, body weight and feeding intensity affect trace element concentrations in tissues and carcass. The lambs (50% male and 50% female) were fattened at three levels of feeding intensity ('low', 'medium' and 'high' by varying daily amounts of concentrate and hay) and slaughtered at different final body weights (30, 45 or 55 kg). Six male and six female animals were sacrificed at 18 kg live weight at the beginning of the comparative slaughter experiment. The left half carcass of each animal was divided into muscle tissue, fat tissue as well as bones and sinews and analysed for the trace elements copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) as well as zinc (Zn). The body weight level influenced the Zn concentrations significantly in all tissues. In addition, the Fe concentration in the fat tissue was influenced by the body weight as well as the Cu content in the bone tissue. An influence due to gender could be seen for the Zn concentration in the muscle and fat tissue and for the Fe content in the fat and bone tissue as well as for the Cu concentration in the bones. The feeding intensity affected the Cu content in the muscle and bone tissue and also the Zn content in the muscle tissue. In the present study with lambs at body weight range from 18 to 55 kg on an average, 127 mg Fe, 87 mg Zn, 1.5 mg Cu as well as 1.1 mg Mn per kilogram dry matter were found in the bone tissue. In lamb muscle tissue combined from all parts (body weight range from 18 to 45 kg, both genders) the highest concentrations were for Zn and Fe [3.42 and 1.31 mg/100 g meat (wet weight basis)], while Cu remained far below these levels (0.08 mg/100 g meat and Mn was even below the detection limit of 0.025 mg/kg). Lamb muscle is a valuable source for highly available haem-Fe as well as for Zn and Cu in human nutrition.

Deposition of copper, iron, manganese and zinc in the empty body of growing lambs of the breed German Merino Landsheep

“…In the carcass of the lambs (20.8 kg, females), the following concentrations were found for the analysed elements: Fe 28.8 mg, Zn 34.8 mg, Cu 0.88 mg and Mn 0.16 mg (Bellof et al, 2007). For comparable lambs (20.8 kg, females) Suttle (1979) detected in the carcass different concentrations (Fe 61.0 mg, Zn 25.4 mg, Cu 1.00 mg and Mn 0.96 mg/kg fresh weight carcass).…”

“…The trace element Fe in the empty body of lambs was found mainly in the bone tissue (40% of the total Fe, related to the empty BW (Bellof et al, 2007)). In addition, significant amounts of Fe could be determined in the residue (19%), as well as in muscle tissue and blood (15%, respectively).…”

“…The recovery rate measured was 107% for Fe, 102% for Cu, 103% for Mn and 98% for Zn. The total of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn contents in the body tissues, muscle, fat and bone (Bellof et al, 2007) and in the residues, as well as in blood and wool, were calculated for each animal ('empty body' 5 slaughtered animal minus content of gastrointestinal tract and bladder).…”

Effect of inorganic and organic zinc supplementation on coccidial infections in goat kids

“…Overall zinc content in the organism significantly affects the body weight of the individual (Bellof et al 2007). …”

Calcium, Zinc and Copper Levels in Clavicles of Human Foetuses

“…[1,10,11] Data regarding concentrations of aforementioned elements in tissues of developing foetuses are based on studies on lower mammals. [12,13] Givens and Macy gave a detailed account of total calcium in developing human foetal bodies. [14] Tabrizi and Pakdel reported levels of Ca, [15] Cu and Zn in sacrum of women during three trimesters and their newborns.…”