Effects of different zinc sources on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes and zinc metabolism of pregnant goats and their offspring

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of different zinc (Zn) sources on body weight, body size, serum biochemical indexes and mineral concentrations in Liuyang pregnant goats and their offspring. Twenty-four two-years-old Liuyang Black goats were randomly allocated to three groups and fed a basal corn-soybean meal diet supplemented respectively with Zn-sulfate (ZnS), Zn-methionine (ZnM), Zn-glycinate (ZnG) at 60 mg/kg Zn for the last 52 days of gestation. The weight and chest circumference of kids in the ZnG group were significantly higher than those in the ZnS group. The concentrations of CHOL and HDL in the serum were significantly higher in the ZnG group than that in the ZnM group 10 days before gestation, but CRPL levels were significantly higher in the ZnS group than in other two groups. The serum ALP activity of 60-day old kid-goats was significantly higher than that of 30-day old and 100-day old ones. The concentrations of potassium and Zn in serum of ZnG group were significantly higher than that of ZnS group. These findings revealed that ZnG as dietary supplementation can improve the performance of kidgoats, while ZnG and ZnM can enhance the immunity of pregnant and postpartum goats, and ZnG supplement is better than ZnM.