The effect of organic and inorganic mineral supplement to sheep concentrate feeds on colostrum quality and lamb immune system

This study was conducted to determine the effects of mineral supplements containing manganese, iron, copper, zinc and selenium added to pregnant sheep diets in organic and inorganic forms on colostrum quality and immunity of lambs. Animal material of the study consisted of a total of 36 pregnant sheep of Kıvırcık X Karacabey Merino F1 hybrid and the lambs born from these sheep. They were weighed and their blood was taken, they were randomly divided into 3 groups, each containing 12 ewes, one control and two experimental, and placed in individual feeding paddocks. Feed material of the experiment consisted of wheat straw and sheep pellet feed containing 19% crude protein. Trial groups are Control group is which no additive added in sheep pellet feed, Trial I has 5 g/day/head of the premix containing Manganese, Iron, Copper, Zinc and Selenium at inorganic form which is added to top of control groups diet. Trial II has 5 g/day/head of the premix containing same minerals at organic form which is added to top of control groups diet. Control, Trial I and Trial II groups average birth weight of the lambs was determined as 4440.38, 4566.15 and 4000.3 g in the same order, and it was observed that lambs of the Trial Group II had lower live weight values than the other groups (p<0.05). On the 28th day the live weight averages of the lambs were determined as 10087.69, 10866.92 and 10763.46 g, in the same order (p>0.05). While there was no difference in the blood serum mineral levels of the sheep at the beginning of the experiment, the Se average in the blood serum samples taken immediately after birth was determined as 165.2, 257.8 and 182.5 ppb, in the same order, and the Se level of the control group was found lower than the other two groups (p<0.05). In blood serum samples taken at birth, Zn and Se levels of Trial I and Trial II groups were found higher than the Control group (p<0.05). As a result; trace minerals added to pregnant ewe diets at organic and inorganic forms didn't have a significant effect on the birth weight and 28th day live weight of the lambs. While the IgG values evaluated in determining immunity were similar, Zn and Se levels in the blood serum samples of newborn lambs were found higher than the control group (p<0.05), and this information was considered remarkable.