Effects of Source of Supplemental Zinc on Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Plasma Mineral Profile in Cashmere Goats

Abstract

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of source of supplemental zinc (Zn) on performance, nutrient digestibility and plasma mineral profile in Cashmere goats during the cashmere fiber growing period. Twenty-seven Liao Ning Cashmere wether goats (9-10 month of age; initial BW = 19.31±0.32 kg) were fed a basal diet (containing 22.3 mg Zn/kg DM) with no supplemental Zn (control) or 20 mg of supplemental Zn/kg of DM from Zn sulfate (ZnSO 4 ) or Zn methionine (ZnMet) for 60 days including a 10-day metabolism trial. Average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and gain:feed (G/F) (p<0.05) were increased by Zn supplementation, but no differences were noted between Zn sources (p>0.05). The length and diameter of cashmere fiber did not differ among treatments (p>0.05). Zn supplementation had no influence on digestibility of DM, CP, EE and NDF (p>0.05). However, ADF digestibility in the group supplemented with ZnMet was significantly higher than in other treatments (p<0.05). Plasma Zn was increased (p<0.05) and Cu tended to be decreased (p = 0.057) by Zn supplementation, but no differences were found between Zn sources (p>0.05). Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity (AKP) was improved by Zn supplementation (p<0.05) and was higher in the ZnSO 4 than the ZnMet group (p<0.05). Zn retention was increased (p<0.05) and apparent absorption rate was decreased (p<0.05) by Zn supplementation. The results indicate that supplementation of 20 mg Zn/kg DM either as ZnSO 4 or ZnMet in the basal diet containing 22.3 mg Zn/kg DM can improve growth performance in Cashmere goats, and effectiveness of the two sources is similar on performance measurements.

In Vitro Gas Production and Dry Matter Degradability of Diets Consumed by Goats with or Without Copper and Zinc Supplementation

“…This may be because Zn tends to selectively inhibit growth, or metabolic activities, of rumen microbes [12]. Salama Ahmed et al [15] and Jia et al [13,14] found no differences in the digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF in goats supplemented with Zn, which does not agree with our findings that Zn supplementation increased IVDMD compared to the control. Moreover, adding Zn in combination with Cu, and separately, decreased IVDMD.…”

“…For example, adding 10, 20, and 30 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) to ruminant diets did not affect digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in Cashmere goats [9,10], while the intra-ruminal administration of boluses containing 8.65 mg Cu/kg DM reduced apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and CP in growing heifers [11]. Research to determine the effects of Zn supplementation on digestibility of nutrients is also still limited and inconclusive [12][13][14]. Supplementation of 1 g/day with organic Zn in diets fed to dairy goats increased the digestibility of DM, organic matter, and CP [15].…”

Supplementation of inorganic and organic zinc mixtures in feed of Boerka goats fed by oil palm fronds

“…The average body weight gain of goat on the whole treatments was around 52-65g and categorized into moderate. Jia et al (2009) fed Z-methionine on goat by 20 ppm and resulted daily weight gain by 42.7 kg. Znmethionine supplementation on lamb as much as 30 and 60 ppm resulted in daily weight gain each by 45 g and 55 g (Haryanto et al 2005).…”

“…Inorganic Zn in the form of oxide zinc (ZnO) or sulfate zinc (ZnSO4) has been used as supplement for ruminant and those two inorganic zincs forms were reported having relatively comparable with the availability level (Jia et al 2009;Jia et al 2008). Organic Zn in the form of Zn-methionine as methyl (CH3) contributor is important in the DNA transcription and translation process.…”

Effect of Supplementation of Chelated Minerals on Growth Performance of Buffalo Calves

“…higher in Zn-meth group as compared to control group. Jia et al (2009) reported that Zn supplementation had influence on digestibility of DM, CP, EE and NDF (P>0.05). Moreover, ADF digestibility in the group supplemented with ZnMet was significantly higher than in other treatments (P<0.05).…”