Authors : Shen Xiao Yun, Xiong Kang Ning, Chen Yong Bi, Zhang Meng and Wang Xiao Li
Abstract: Mineral contents in the soil and forage are spatially distributed. Pasture fenced has created nutrition imbalance problems for animals. As a result, Semi-Fine Wool sheep are affected by a disease characterized by emaciation, lameness, stiffness in the gait, enlargement of the costochondral junctions and abnormal curvature in the long bones. The objective of this study was to determine possible relationships between the disease and pasture fenced. Results showed that Phosphorus (P) concentrations in forage samples from fenced areas were significantly lower than those from without fenced areas and the mean Calcium (Ca):P ratio in forage in fenced pasture was 11:1. Meanwhile, P concentrations of blood, bone, teeth and wool from fenced sheep were also significantly lower than those from without fenced group. Serum p levels of animals in fenced pasture were much lower than those of without fenced ones whereas serum alkaline phosphatase levels from fenced animals were significantly higher than those from the without fencing group. The disease could be alleviating with supplement of Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate (Na2HPO4) or demolish fence on pasture. The study clearly demonstrated that the disease of Semi-Fine Wool sheep was the P deficiency in forage mainly caused by pasture fenced.
Shen Xiao Yun, Xiong Kang Ning, Chen Yong Bi, Zhang Meng and Wang Xiao Li, 2013. Effect of Fenced Pasture on Mineral Metabolic in Grazing Semi-Fine Wool Sheep in the Karst Mountain Areas of Southwest China. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 982-985.