Role of dietary nano-zinc oxide on growth performance and blood levels of mineral: A study on in Iranian Angora (Markhoz) goat kids

This study was conducted to assess the possible effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) and nano zinc oxide (nZnO) on growth performance as well as the levels of Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn in Markhoz goat kids blood samples. Thirty 5-6 months male Markhoz goat kids were supplemented with 22.12 mg of Zn/ kg DM as basal diet for 70 days. Zinc was administered at daily doses of zero, 2 and 40 ppm in ZnO group, and 20 and 40 ppm in nZnO group by adding to their basal diet. Animals were weighed fortnightly to obtain average daily gain (ADG). Blood samples were taken for analyzing blood mineral levels at baseline and days 35 and 70.No significant difference in food intake and ADG was identified between Zn supplemented and control groups. Zn supplementation did not affect the blood mineral levels in kids except for plasma Zn concentration on day 35 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, present results show that ZnO and nZnO at applied concentrations does not affect growth performance and composition of bloods mineral in Markhoz goat kids.