Effects of peroral supplementation of different forms of zinc on the ruminal mucosa of goat kids – a morphometric study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the effect of supplementation of various forms of zinc on the ruminal mucosa and dimensions of ruminal papillae in 6-month-old goat kids. The experimental period lasted from weaning to slaughter (4 months). All 20 kids divided into four groups of five animals, were fed with the same feeding dose, which was different only in the quantity and form of zinc. Control group was without additional zinc supplementation (group A), the other groups were supplemented with zinc in the form of ZnO (group B), zinc in the form of chelate (group C) and zinc in the form of lactate (group D). Samples for histopathological and morphometric examination were collected after the slaughter of all animals from the bottom of saccus ruminis ventralis everytime from the same place. Significant differences were reported within the comparison of the length of ruminal papillae between groups B and C (P = 0.026) and B and D (P = 0.040), within the comparison of the width of ruminal papillae between groups A and D (P = 0.020) and within the comparison of the intensity of keratinisation of the mucosa of ruminal papillae between groups A and B (P = 0.034), A and C (P = 0.038) and A and D (P = 0.001). Histopathological and morphometric examination of ruminal mucosa indicated that the ruminal papillae of kids supplemented with zinc in the form of ZnO (group B) were better developed compared to the other groups. This result indicates better utilisation of the supplemented zinc in the form of ZnO. Forestomach, histometry, inorganic zinc, organic zinc, ruminantsThe ruminal mucosa consists of multilayer squamous epithelium with significant keratinisation. The lining has papillae of tongue-like shape on the surface, the height of which is 3-13 mm and width is 1-3 mm, and these significantly increase the surface of the ruminal epithelium (Hofmann and Schnorr 1982;König et al. 2004;Frappier 2006). The morphological properties of the gut lining including the size of ruminal papillae and their quantity are variable. It is characterised by a process of continual changes, from regression to proliferation. The pathogenesis of morphological adaptation of the ruminal mucosa depends on several factors (Zitnan et al. 2003;Amaral et al. 2005;Černík et al. 2011), including the effect of microelements. This includes cobalt, selenium, copper and also zinc (Arelovich et al. 2008;Eryavuz et al. 2009;Falhar et al. 2009).Zinc is a component part of various enzymes, nucleic acids, porphyrins, amino acids and proteins. As a stabiliser of cell membranes it ensures among other things also keratinisation of the surface layers of skin and some mucosal membranes, e.g. the oesophagus and rumen (Underwood and Suttle 1999; S u n et al. 2005). Zinc with other trace elements is added to feed mixtures for ruminants and pigs in order to stimulate growth and ensure good health condition and efficiency. It is supplemented in

Regulation of rumen development in neonatal ruminants through microbial metagenomes and host transcriptomes

“…5). The supplementation of cattle diets with zinc has long been studied to understand its impact on milk production and calf health [47]; however, its role in the early rumen development and the microbial modulation of this process are yet to be understood.…”

Microbial Metagenomes and Host Transcriptomes Reveal the Dynamic Changes of Rumen Gene Expression, Microbial Colonization and Co-Regulation of Mineral Element Metabolism in Yaks from Birth to Adulthood

“…The addition of the metal ions copper, cadmium and magnesium can affect the activity of some rumen enzymes which play an important role in nitrogen metabolism, and may further change the nitrogen metabolism in the rumen of sheep [91]. Zinc absorption also plays an vital role in early rumen papillae development and keratinization in goats [92]. Ion, metal ion, and calcium ion binding are also indispensable molecular activities occurring throughout follicle growth in yaks [93].…”

Chelated Versus Inorganic Zinc Supplementation in Ruminants

“…Cellulolytic bacteria counts have also shown a decreasing trend with the increase in the ionic zinc levels in-vitro. In an interesting study by Černík [9], goats fed different organic and inorganic forms of zinc reported significant differences in the length, width and intensity of keratinisation of ruminal papillae. The kids supplemented with zinc in the form of zinc oxide had well developed papillae, reflecting the fact that some portion of zinc in the diet should necessarily be in inorganic form.…”