Bioavailability of Dietary Zinc Sources and Their Effect on Mineral and Antioxidant Status in Lambs

This study investigated the relative bioavailability (RBV) of zinc from different sources used as feed additives in ruminant nutrition based on Zn concentration and activity Zn-dependent enzymes lamb tissues. Thirty-two male lambs Improved Valachian breed (three months old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. For 120 days, fed either total mix ration (TMR) providing 29.6 mg Zn/kg or TMR supplemented with sulphate (ZnSO4), chelate glycine hydrate (ZnGly), protein hydrolysate (ZnProt). The diets contained a 80 Zn/kg. Supplementation ZnSO4 increased liver, while highest uptake was kidneys ZnProt diet. ZnGly diet elevated Cu/Zn-dependent enzyme superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) liver. Regardless source, supplementation resulted antioxidant status (TAS) pancreas. estimated RBV linear regression slope ratios did not differ among sources. Our results indicate similar availability organic commonly sulphate; however, their effects mineral may slightly growing lambs.