Effects of different zinc sources on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes and zinc metabolism of pregnant goats and their off spring

This study investigated the eff ects of diff erent zinc (Zn) sources on body weight, body size, serum biochemical indexes and mineral concentrations in Liuyang pregnant goats and their off spring. Twenty-four two-years-old Liuyang Black goats were randomly allocated to three groups and fed a basal corn-soybean meal diet supplemented respectively with Zn-sulfate (ZnS), Zn-methionine (ZnM), Zn-glycinate (ZnG) at 60 mg/kg Zn for the last 52 days of gestation. The weight and chest circumference of kids in the ZnG group were signifi cantly higher than those in the ZnS group. The concentrations of CHOL and HDL in the serum were signifi cantly higher in the ZnG group than that in the ZnM group 10 days before gestation, but CRPL levels were signifi cantly higher in the ZnS group than in other two groups. The serum ALP activity of 60-day old kid-goats was signifi cantly higher than that of 30-day old and 100-day old ones. The concentrations of potassium and zinc in serum of ZnG group were signifi cantly higher than that of ZnS group. These fi ndings revealed that ZnG as dietary supplementation can improve the performance of kidgoats, while ZnG and ZnM can enhance the immunity of pregnant and postpartum goats, and ZnG supplement is better than ZnM.