Authors : K.M. Al-Saad, H.I. Al-Sadi and M.O. Abdul-Majeed
Abstract: The clinical, hematological, biochemical and pathological changes in naturally occurring zinc deficiency in sheep were described. Loss of appetite, alopecia, abnormal skin and decreased body weight constituted the main signs and symptoms. The respiratory and heart rates were significantly higher (p<0.05) in zinc deficient sheep than in normal control sheep. Values of total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume were significantly lower (p<0.05) in zinc deficient sheep than in normal control sheep. Significant differences were not found in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count values in sick and normal control sheep. The platelet count was significantly lower (p<0.05) in zinc deficient sheep than in normal control sheep. Values of other clotting indices (platelet volume, platelet distribution width, clotting time, prothrombin time and activated partial thrombo-plastin time) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in zinc deficient than in normal control sheep. Zinc, total protein, calcium, alkaline phosphatase and fibrinogen values in the serum were significantly lower (p<0.05) in zinc deficient than in normal control sheep. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were significantly higher (p<0.05) in zinc deficient than in normal control sheep. Microscopic lesions of the skin of zinc deficient sheep were in the form of parakeratosis and in some cases hyperkeratosis.
K.M. Al-Saad, H.I. Al-Sadi and M.O. Abdul-Majeed, 2010. Clinical, Hematological, Biochemical and Pathological Studies on Zinc Deficiency (Hypozincemia) in Sheep. Veterinary Research, 3: 14-20.