Topic:Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays a critical role in numerous physiological processes in horses, including immune function, enzyme activity, and cellular repair. It is a vital component of various enzymes and proteins, contributing to antioxidant defenses and the maintenance of skin integrity. Adequate zinc levels are important for optimal growth, reproduction, and overall health in equines. Horses typically obtain zinc through their diet, with absorption occurring primarily in the small intestine. Deficiencies or imbalances can lead to clinical signs such as poor coat condition, delayed wound healing, and impaired immune response. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the dietary requirements, absorption mechanisms, and clinical implications of zinc in equine nutrition and health management.
Copper and zinc balance in exercising horses fed 2 forms of mineral supplements. Studies comparing the absorption and retention of various forms of trace minerals in horses have yielded mixed results. The objective of this study was to compare Cu and Zn absorption and retention in exercising horses where the mineral was supplemented in the sulfate or organic chelate form. Nine mature horses were used in a modified switchback design experiment consisting of seven 28-d periods. Horses were fed a diet consisting of 50% concentrate and 50% hay that was balanced to meet the energy, protein, Ca, and P requirements for horses performing moderate-intensity exercise. Horses were su...
Changes in serum mineral concentrations, biochemical and hematological parameters in horses with pica. The aim of this study was to compare hematological, some biochemical parameters, and serum trace element concentrations in horses with or without pica. Fifteen horses with pica (group I) and another 15 healthy horses without pica (group II) were used. The hematological parameters were not changed between the two groups. In group I, hemoglobin values were lower than those of group II. However, the difference in hemoglobin values between the two groups was not significant (P > 0.05). Serum iron and copper concentrations and the copper/zinc ratio were lower in group I than those of group I...
Effect of diet on mechanical properties of horse’s hair. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of diet supplementation with zinc and copper, in different chemical forms (organic and inorganic), on the mechanical properties of the hair of healthy English thoroughbred horses. Hairs were taken from 18 horses which had been fed with oats and hay for a period of 110 days. Twelve of the horses had been additionally given a daily dose of 700 g of highquality 44-ingredients Fohlengold St-Hippolyt muesli made by Muhle Ebert Dilheim. Six of them had received the muesli-containing organic zinc and copper (OS), while the other six horses had receive...
A note on langerhans cells in the oesophagus epithelium of domesticated mammals. Using the zinc-iodide osmium tetroxide (ZIO) method, TEM and immunohistochemistry (for CD1a and langerin), the study demonstrates Langerhans cells in the oesophageal epithelium of domesticated mammals (herbivores: horse, cattle, goat; omnivores: pig, dog, laboratory rat; carnivores: cat), although with variations between the species. The ZIO method and TEM showed this cell type in the cat and, sporadically, in the horse; CD1a (+) Langerhans cells were demonstrated in the ovine, porcine and murine oesophagus. Positive staining for langerin was detected in single cells of the caprine, canine, mu...
Heavy metal concentration in coat hair and hoof horn in stabled and reserve Polish Konik horses. The objective of the study was to determine if there were differences in Cr, Mn, Cu, Cd, Pb and Ni levels in coat hair and hoof horn between Polish Konik horses maintained in stabled and reserve systems in Roztocze National Park in Poland. Summer and winter feeding seasons (seasons of the year in case of hooves) and age of horses were taken into account. 107 samples of hair and hooves, as well as all kinds of feed and sources of water available for the horses were examined. The results of the study indicate that the concentration of the elements in the coat hair, hoof horn, feeds and water is ...
Mineral absorption in tapirs (Tapirus spp.) as compared to the domestic horse. To test whether mineral recommendations for horses are likely to guarantee adequate mineral provision for tapirs (Tapirus spp.), we investigated the apparent absorption (aA) of macro and micro-minerals in 18 tapirs from five zoological institutions in a total of 24 feeding trials with total faecal collection. Samples of feeds and faeces were analysed for Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu and Zn. The resulting aA coefficients and the linear relationships of apparently absorbable dietary mineral content to total dietary mineral content (per 100 g dry matter) were compared with data for domestic horses. W...
Effects of vitamin E and selenium on serum trace and major elements in horses. The combined effects of vitamin E and selenium were studied in native Anatolian horses subject to strenuous exercise. The concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium were determined in serum by atomic absorption spectrometry in two study groups (n = 25 each), one of which served as untreated controls. After exercising the horses by running 1,500 m in about 7 min, only the copper level and the copper/zinc ratio significantly increased (p < 0.05), but the concentrations of calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium remained unchanged. In horses treated with vitamin E ...
Plasma levels of zinc, copper, copper/zinc ratio, and activity of carbonic anhydrase in equine piroplasmosis. We have determined the plasma concentrations of copper, zinc, copper/zinc ratio, and carbonic anhydrase activity in horses infected with Babesia equi. The study was conducted in 14 horses with the disease and 10 healthy animals that served as controls. The infection was confirmed by the clinical manifestations of the disease and by Giemsa staining of thin blood smears showing the parasites inside red blood cells. The horses with piroplasmosis had lower plasma levels of zinc, elevated copper, and increased activity of carbonic anhydrase. Consequently, the copper/zinc ratio was also higher than ...
Serum concentration of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt and the copper/zinc ratio in horses with equine herpesvirus-1. The serum concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt and copper/zinc ratio were investigated in horses infected with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Nine horses were naturally infected with the virus and nine healthy horses served as controls. The concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt were determined spectrophotometrically in the blood serum of all horses. The results were (expressed in micrograms per deciliters) copper 2.80 +/- 0.34 vs 1.12 +/- 0.44, zinc 3.05 +/- 0.18 vs 0.83 +/- 0.06, iron 2.76 +/- 0.17 vs 3.71 +/- 0.69, cobalt 0.19 +/- 0.37 vs 0.22 +/- 0.45, and copper/zinc ...
Relationship between hair elements and severity of atrioventricular block in horses. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the mean concentrations of trace elements and the severity of the second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block in the mane hair of horses. Electrocardiographs of horses were continually recorded for 6 h using a holter cardiac monitor to determine dropped ventricular beats (DVBs) which can be used as an indicator of the severity of the AV block. Mane hair Ca, Cu, Mg, and Zn concentrations were measured by the particle-induced X-ray emission method. The Zn/Cu ratio and Ca concentration in mane hair were significantly and positively ...
Mineral absorption in the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) as compared with the domestic horse. To test whether mineral recommendations for horses are likely to guarantee adequate mineral provision for black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis), we investigated the apparent absorption (aA) of macro- and microminerals in eight black rhinoceroses from three zoological institutions in a total of 32 feeding trials with total faecal collection, with additional data from three unpublished studies (18 feeding trials). Feeds and faeces were analysed for Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Co. The resulting aA coefficients, and the linear relationships of apparently absorbable dietary mineral content...
Investigation of blood oxidant/antioxidant markers in healthy competition horses of different breeds. There is increasing evidence that the equine athlete is exposed to exercise-induced changes of its oxidant/antioxidant balance and antioxidant supplementation is frequently recommended. However, it is unknown whether there is a specific need for antioxidants according to performance, breed, gender or age. Objective: To assess whether breed-, gender- and age-related differences of blood oxidant/antioxidant markers occur in competition horses. Methods: Healthy horses (n = 493) underwent oxidant/ antioxidant blood marker determination. Vitamin E, lipophilic antioxidant capacity (ACL), ascorbic ac...
Is the distribution of selenium and zinc in the sublocations of spermatozoa regulated? In the sperm nuclei, of mammalian species selenium has been found only in the form of sperm nuclei glutathione peroxidase (snGPx) where it is most likely bound to the chromatin of spermatozoa. Over 80% of selenium in sperm is bound to the selenoprotein phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) in the midpiece of rat sperm. Zinc in sperm is mainly contained in the outer dense fiber (ODF) proteins of the flagella of mammalian spermatozoa. In the sperm nuclei, zinc is predominately located in the chromatin to the protamine proteins. In order to investigate if the insertion of zinc...
Effects of exercise and oral antioxidant supplementation enriched in (n-3) fatty acids on blood oxidant markers and erythrocyte membrane fluidity in horses. The aim of this study was to investigate in a placebo-controlled field study the effect of a (n-3)-vitamin supplementation on erythrocyte membrane fluidity (EMF), oxidant/antioxidant markers and plasmatic omega3/omega6 fatty acid ratio (FAR) in 12 eventing horses. Venous blood was sampled at rest before (PRE) and after (POST) a three week treatment period with either the supplement (group S, n=6) or a placebo (group P, n=6) as well as after 15min (POST E15') and 24h (POST E24h) after a standardised exercise test. The following markers were analysed: EMF, plasma antioxidant capacity of water an...
Relationship between trace elements status in mane hair and atrial fibrillation in horse. To investigate the relationships between trace elements concentrations in hair and atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses, concentrations of nineteen trace elements were detected in hair using the particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. The horses were assigned to either control (n=22, no abnormalities) or AF groups (n=5) based on electrocardiograph findings. The mean concentrations of Ca and Zn in the hair of the AF group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The Zn/Cu ratio of the hair in the AF group (29.8 +/- 5.5) was significantly higher than that in the control gr...
Nuclear status of immature and mature stallion spermatozoa. 'The highly packed chromatin of mature spermatozoa results from replacement of somatic-like histones by highly basic arginine- and cysteine-rich protamines during spermatogenesis, with additional conformational changes in chromatin structure during epididymal transit. The objective of the present study was to compare the nuclear characteristics of immature and mature epididymal stallion spermatozoa, using a variety of experimental approaches. Resistance to in vitro decondensation of chromatin, following exposure to SDS-DTT and alkaline thioglycolate, increased significantly in mature spermatoz...
Determination of some enzymes and macro- and microelements in stallion seminal plasma and their correlations to semen quality. Seminal plasma is very important for sperm metabolism as well as sperm function and survival and transport in the female genital tract. Analysis of enzyme activities and concentrations of elements can estimate integrity and function of sperm cell membranes. In man much data are available about biochemical analyses of seminal plasma. However, not many studies have been conducted in horses yet. We collected ejaculates from 72 stallions, measured the volume, obtained seminal plasma by centrifugation and examined spermatozoa with light microscopy for motility, concentration, for dead sperm and mor...
Correlation between 25 element contents in mane hair in riding horses and atrioventricular block. The influence of atrioventricular block (AV-block) on the trace elemental status in a horse hair was studied. The particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method has provided a reliable, rapid, easy, and relatively inexpensive diagnostic method. Twenty-five elements (Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, Y, and Zn) in mane hair and serum were measured by the PIXE method. A horse hair with first- and second-degree AV-block contained significantly greater amounts of Br, Ca, Sr, and Zn than those of horses without electrocardiographic abnormalities...
Articular / epiphyseal osteochondrosis in Thoroughbred foals at 5 months of age: influences of growth of the foal and prenatal copper supplementation of the dam. To determine the influence of copper (Cu) supplementation by injection of mares in late gestation on the frequency and severity of osteochondrosis (OC) lesions in their foals at around 160 days of age. To determine if there was any influence of the concentration of Cu in the liver, growth rate, birthweight, weight at 160 days of age, fatness, sex, or year of birth of the foal on the frequency and severity of OC lesions. To determine the influence of dam's age, and sex and birthweight of the foal on the growth rate from birth to 160 days of age, and weight at 160 days of age. Methods: Thirty-th...
Enlargements of the distal third metacarpus and metatarsus in Thoroughbred foals at pasture from birth to 160 days of age. To assess the relationship between the radiographic and microscopic appearance of the physeal regions of the distal third metacarpal (Mc3) and metatarsal (Mt3) bones of Thoroughbred foals at 160 days of age, and to clinically assess changes in contour of the distal Mc3 and Mt3 physeal regions from birth to 160 days of age. To assess relationships between maximum clinical physis scores and age, time of year, foal's sex, condition score, growth rate, copper (Cu) concentration in the liver of the foal, and supplementation of the dam with Cu in late gestation. Methods: Dams were given Cu (n=5 and ...
Variations in the concentration of zinc in the blood of Icelandic horses. The effect of factors including the horses' farm environment, their sex and age and whether they suffered from summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (sweet itch) on the concentrations of zinc in the plasma, whole blood and blood cells of 104 Icelandic horses was investigated. Its concentration in plasma varied significantly between farms (P<0.01), but its concentration in blood and blood cells was not influenced by any of the variables. The concentration of zinc in the blood cells was 10.5 times greater than in plasma, but its concentration in plasma was not correlated with its concentration in...
Twenty-eight element concentrations in mane hair samples of adult riding horses determined by particle-induced X-ray emission. The concentrations of 28 elements (Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, and Zn) were measured in mane hair by the particle-induced X-ray emission method. Except for Br, Cl, K, S, and P, the trace element concentrations in mane hair of horses are similar to literature values for human hair. The values obtained are not dependent on the horse's age, breed, and sex and could be used as reference values in the assessment of diseases and nutritional status in equines.
Association of pneumonia in foals caused by Rhodococcus equi with farm soil geochemistry. To quantify and compare geochemical factors in surface soils from horse-breeding farms with horses with pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi (affected farms) and horse-breeding farms with no history of pneumonia caused by R equi (unaffected farms). Methods: Soil from 24 R equi-affected farms and 21 unaffected farms. Methods: Equine veterinary practitioners throughout Texas submitted surface soil samples from areas most frequented by foals, on R equi-affected and unaffected horse-breeding farms in their practice. Soil samples were assayed for the following factors: pH, salinity, nitrate, phosph...
Digestible energy intake, dry matter digestibility and mineral status of grazing New Zealand Thoroughbred yearlings. To measure the nutritive value of pasture in terms of digestible energy intake (DEI) and dry matter (DM) digestibility, and to determine the effect of Ca, P, Cu, Zn, and Se supplementation on growth rate and degree of physeal swelling in Thoroughbred yearlings grazed on pasture. Methods: Fourteen yearling horses were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups and rotationally grazed on a ryegrass/white clover pasture for 7 months. One group was supplemented daily with a mineral mix. Liveweight changes were recorded at fortnightly intervals and pasture mineral composition determined at monthly interva...
Influence of the coat color on the trace elemental status measured by particle-induced X-ray emission in horse hair. The influence of hair color on the trace elemental status in horse's hair has been studied. A current analytical technique such as particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) used in this study has provided reliable, rapid, easy, and relatively inexpensive diagnostic methods. Twenty-eight elements (Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Y, and Zn) in mane hair were detected by the PIXE method. The gray hair contains significantly greater amounts of Cu, Ti, and Zn, and lower amounts of Br, Ca, Se, and Sr than those in other colored horse h...
Effect of oral antioxidant supplementation on blood antioxidant status in trained thoroughbred horses. The oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium of trained thoroughbred horses (n = 40) was assessed on three occasions during a period of three months under field conditions by blood antioxidant markers analysis, i.e. plasma ascorbic acid (AA), plasma antioxidant capacity of water-soluble components (ACW), whole blood (GSH) and oxidised (GSSG) glutathione, plasma alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, plasma antioxidant capacity of lipid-soluble components (ACL), red blood cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase activity (GPx) and plasma trace-elements, i.e. selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zi...
Seminal concentrations of trace elements in various animals and their correlations. To determine the seminal concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, cadmium, lead and nickel in bulls, rams, boars, stallions and foxes and study their correlations. Methods: Semen samples were obtained, digested and analyzed by means of the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed statistically with the Student's t-test and Scheffe's test using PC programs SAS and Excel. Results: The seminal copper concentration was significantly higher in ram [(2.49+/-0.18) mg/kg] and fox [(2.16+/-0.53) mg/kg] than that in bull [(1.64+/-0.21) mg/kg], boar [(1.64+/-0.28) mg/kg] and stallion (0.86 mg...
Antioxidant parameters of horses according to age, sex, breed and environment. Antioxidant defences interact to form an integrated system. There is no comprehensive and uniform view on issues concerning the antioxidant status in horses. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to estimate antioxidant parameters in horses of different age, sex and breed as well as environment and relationship between different antioxidants. Parameters of selected antioxidants including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), total antioxidant status (TAS), ceruloplasmin (CP), bilirubin, uric acid, zinc, copper and selenium were determined in blood of 80 clinically ...
[Copper and zinc in animal feed for the adult horses in Switzerland]. The copper and zinc contents of 25 rations for adult horses were evaluated. The total amount of copper and zinc daily ingested was obtained by adding the amount of each element contained and added of the commercial feed to the amount contained in ingested hay and oats. The total amount of copper and zinc ingested daily was compared with the official recommendations for the maintenance of an adult horse of 550 kg. The results show that a traditional ration oats/hay does not contain a sufficient amount of copper and zinc in order to cover their respective requirements. Furthermore, many rations ...