Submitted To:

Dr. G. M. Gadegaonkar
Dept. Of Animal Nutrition Submitted By:
Mohit Jain
M.V.SC. 1ST Year
 Zinc has been found in every tissue in the animal body.
 The element tends to accumulate in the bones.
 High concentrations have been found in the skin, hair and wool of animals.
 Requirement: poultry= 33 - 40 mg/kg
Swine= 50 - 100 mg/kg
Horse= 40mg/kg
 Functions

 Component of many metallo-enzymes - e.g., Alkaline phosphatase, collagenase (bone collagen),

dehydrogenases (alcohol, malic, lactic, etc.), carbonic anhydrase, aldolase, RNA & DNA polymerases,
thymidine kinase, carboxypeptidase, etc.
 Activates many enzymes - e.g., arginase, dipeptidases, tripeptidase, His deaminase, enolase, oxaloacetate
dehydrogenase, lecithinase, etc.
 Has a wide range of functions/effects:
1) Growth rate - Associated with nucleic acid biosynthesis, amino acid utilization or protein synthesis, etc.
2) Skin & wound healing - Skin is rich in Zn, and deficiency can lead to parakeratosis, scaling/cracking, loss
of hair & dermatitis.
3) Immune response - Essential to the integrity of the immune system.
4) Water & cation balance - Early signs of deficiency in most species are dehydrated appearance,
elevated haematocrit & diarrhoea.
5) Others - Development of sex organs, reproductive functions, bone and blood formation, metabolism of
nucleic acids, proteins & carbohydrates, etc.
 Cont.

 D. Other roles of Zn:

1) Its relationship with vitamin A:
a) Zn deficiency reduces retinol-binding protein which influences mobilization of vitamin A.
b) Thus, Zn may aid in maintaining normal concentration of vitamin A in plasma, which in
turn maintains normal functions of epithelial tissues.
2) Protection of membranes - Zn has antioxidative effect in protecting sulfhydryl group in
the membrane.
3) Prostaglandin metabolism - Affects metabolites of PG.
4) Lipid metabolism - Zn deficiency decreases incorporation of glucose into FA.
5) Microbial growth - Microorganisms need Zn for growth.
6) Behavior & learning ability - Severe maternal Zn deficiency has severe consequences in
learning abilities & emotional responsiveness.
 Deficiency

 Stunted, skin diseases, feathers disorder, hair coat disorders, lower feed efficiency, high
mortality, loss of appetite, delayed sexual maturity, low fertility, reduced milk production.
 Zinc deficiency in pigs is characterized by subnormal growth, depressed appetite, poor food
conversion and parakeratosis.
 A deficiency of this element is particularly liable to occur in young, intensively housed pigs
offered a dry diet ad libitum.
 Pigs given a diet supplemented with high levels of copper, have an increased requirement for
zinc.
 in calves include inflammation of the nose and mouth, stiffness of the joints, swollen feet.
 In dairy cows, low dietary zinc concentrations are associated with high somatic cell counts in
their milk.
 In chicks are retarded growth, foot abnormalities, ‘frizzled’ feathers, parakeratosis and a bone
abnormality referred to as ‘swollen hock syndrome’.
 Cont.

 Parakeratosis:
hyperkeratinization of skin
Subnormal growth
Poor feed efficiency
Characteristics skin lesions on feet & belly.
 It is aggravated by high calcium levels (> 2%) in the diet and reduced by decreased
calcium and increased phosphorus levels.
 Can be prevented by feeding 50 – 100 ppm of Zn through carbonate or sulphate.
 Zinc toxicity

 > 1000 ppm

 Depress food consumption.
 may induce copper deficiency.
 GI tract distress
 ↓ weight gain
 anemia
 reduced utilization of Ca & bone ash, ↓ tissue concentrations of Fe, Cu & Mn
 damage to pancreas,.
 Maximum tolerable levels - 300 ppm for sheep, 500 ppm for cattle & 1,000 ppm for swine &
poultry.
 Sources

 Rich sources: Yeast

Brans
Germ of cereal grains
Animal protein by-products: fish meal
Colostrum & milk
 Feeds and fodder contain adequate amount of zinc.