The Effect of Different Zinc Sources on Biochemical Parameters, Intestinal Morphology, Carcass Characteristics and Performance in Finishing Lambs

To investigate the effect of different sources of zinc supplements on blood serum parameters, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal morphology, 18 male Zandi lambs (with initial body weight of 31 +/- 1.2 kg and 120 +/- 8 days old) were divided into three groups, six animals each in a completely random design. Experimental treatments include (1) control treatment of basal diet without zinc supplementation, (2) basal diet with 40 mg/kg of zinc supplementation from zinc sulfate source, and (3) basal diet with 40 mg/kg of zinc supplementation with origin it was organic (Zn-peptide). All lambs were kept in individual pens with cemented floor and provision of individual feeding and watering. Mean daily weight gain increased with zinc supplementation (P < 0.05), but feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by zinc supplementation in the diet. Zinc supplementation increased the apparent digestibility of the dry matter (P < 0.05), but the digestibility of dietary fat, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were not affected by zinc supplementation. In this experiment, the addition of organic and inorganic supplements to the diet of fattening lambs had no significant effect on serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and glucose concentrations, and carcass traits. The concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme in the zinc sulfate group was significantly higher than the control and organic zinc groups (P < 0.05). Concentrations of blood urea nitrogen were lower in zinc fed lambs, compared to control (P <= 0.05). The villi width in the duodenum was higher in the zinc supplementation treatments (P < 0.05). Also, in the ileum section, the height of the villi in the treatment of zinc sulfate supplement was higher, compared to the complement and control (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed that Zn supplementation, regardless of its source, improved growth performance in fattening lambs. However, no effect was observed on feed intake and efficiency, carcass traits, and blood parameters.