Zinc Concentration in Different Tissues Following Organic and Inorganic Zinc Supplementation in Assam Goat Kids (Capra hircus)

This present study was conducted to elucidate the effect of zinc supplementation (in organic and inorganic forms) on the tissues of certain male genital organs and the liver. A total of thirty six Assam local goat kids of 3 months of age and between 3–4 kg of body weight were used. All the animals were reared under semi intensive system in the Experimental Animal Shed belonging to Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati. Standard managemental practices were adopted with regards to rearing of experimental animals during the period of experiment. The experimental goats received concentrate mixture @50g/day/goat up to 5 months and then @100gm/day/goat up to 7 months in addition to their free range grazing. Group I (control) animals received no zinc supplementation while the Group II and III animals received inorganic and organic form of zinc supplements, respectively along with concentrate mixture. After induction of proper level of anaesthesia the animals were sacrificed and testicle, epididymides, accessory sex glands and liver were carefully dissected out and representative samples of tissue were subjected to estimation of concentration of zinc. Zinc concentration in testis increased from 21.23±0.12 to 35.60±0.12 ppm in inorganic group and from 20.73±0.09 to 34.37±0.07 ppm in organic group of kids from 4 months to 7 months of age. Testicular tissue zinc level was found significantly higher in zinc-supplemented group kids as compared to the control group. Zinc concentration of epididymal tissue of inorganic (group II) and organic (Group III) zinc-supplemented kids were also increased as the age advanced. The liver zinc concentrations were found as 40.83±0.12, 42.27±0.26, 43.20±0.21 and 41.33±0.41 ppm, respectively in different months i.e. 4, 5, 6 and 7 months of age in control group of kids and it was increased in supplemented groups with advancement of age. Zinc concentration of epididymides and liver showed significantly higher (P<0.05) values in supplemented groups than that of control group. An age related increasing trend of tissue zinc concentrations in male accessory sex glands was observed in all the groups.