The influence of zinc-methionine bioplex supplementation to pregnant and lactating sheep on selected wool parameters

Abstract

The most important nutrients affecting wool production include sulfur amino acids, such as methionine, and minerals, such as zinc, and their deficiency may cause wool production decrease. The aim of this study was to evaluate an effect of zinc and methionine chelate addition on the qualitative characteristics of Merino ewes wool and zinc content in wool fibers and on their surface. Histological evaluation of fibers was also performed. The study included 22 Polish Merino ewes divided into two groups: control and experimental (0.4 g chelates daily per head). The experiment lasted for 4 months (3.5 months of pregnancy and 2 weeks of early lactation). The length, thickness and breaking force of wool fibers were higher in the experimental group compared to the control group. Higher content of zinc in wool of sheep from the experimental group was also demonstrated. The histological structure of fibers from both groups did not differ, as the content of zinc on their surface. It can be concluded on the basis of the obtained results that the addition of chelates favorably influenced the thickness compensation of wool fibers and amount of wool obtained from sheep during pregnancy and early lactation, as well as mechanical features of wool.

Effects of Age, Body Region and Mineral Contents on the Fleece Characteristics of Central Anatolian Merino Sheep

“…Furthermore, Zn supplementation to feed was also found to be effective on fibre diameter in the same study. The finding of the study showed that the sheep with additional Zn had higher than control groups [41].…”

“…In brief, the effect of Fe on the fibre length was favourable, however, the effect of Mg and Zn were negative. The correlation between fleece Zn content and the fibre length was to be 0.60 in Merino sheep [41]. The correlation between fibre length-diameter and the fibre length-elasticity was found to be significant (p-value<0.05) and was 0.12 and 0.22, respectively.…”

“…The correlation between fibre length and strength was not found to be significant. On the other hand, they were found as 0.54, -0.11 and -0.30 for length-diameter, length-elasticity and length-strength, respectively in the study of [41]. Unfortunately, no study has been encountered for the effect of Fe and Mg on fibre quality.…”

Effect of Rearing Systems on Growth Performance and Wool Characteristics of Rahmani Sheep Lambs

“…Wool production and quality are also influenced by the sex and age of animals and ewe reproduction state (Khan et al, 2012 andScobie et al, 2015). Moreover, the role of proper nutrition reflected in energy-rich and protein supplement are of the main factors affecting the wool production (Nguyen, 2018 andWyrostek et al, 2019).…”