TREATMENT OF ZINC DEFICIENCY IN SHEEP BY ZINC CONTAINING BOLUSES

A study was conducted to investigate the release pattern of zinc form the zinc containing boluses and to see whether the released zinc can cure a zinc deficiency in sheep. Three sheep were used in this experiment and were fed a low zinc semi-synthetic diet throughout the experimental period. Each sheep was given a single pre-weighed zinc containing bolus when blood variables showed continuous zinc deficiency. The zinc containing boluses when placed within the reticulo-rumen of zinc deficient sheep, release zinc at the rate of 106.6 mg zinc/day for 39 days. At the end of depletion period there was a reduced feed consumption, plasma zinc concentration, plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and increased plasma zinc binding capacity which were 409 g, 0.18 mg/l, 87 U/l and 88.7% respectively and 521 g, 0.18 mg/l, 142 U/l, and 89.5% respectively before first and second blousing. After the administration of the first and second boluses, the feed consumption, plasma zinc levels and plasma alkaline phosphatase activities rose rapidly and far exceeded the starting values. The zinc binding capacity was reduced to 21.9% due to the administration of the first and second boluses. It is concluded that zinc boluses can be used for curing a zinc deficiency in sheep.