Effect of Nano Zinc Supplementation on Reproductive Performance of Assam Hill Goat

Abstract

Background: Interaction between nutrition and reproduction has been established to play an important role in reproductive performance of animals. Zinc is considered to be an essential element required for reproduction. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of nano zinc (NZn) as feed supplementation on reproductive performance of Assam Hill goats. Methods: A total of twenty-four numbers of 7 days post kidding doe maintained at Goat Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Burnihat were randomly selected and divided into 4 groups comprising 6 animals in each group. The control group animals were fed with basal diet without zinc supplementation however, all the animals of the treatment groups received 25 mg NZn, 35 mg NZn and 50 mg NZn/kg concentrate mixture with basal diet for a period of three months. Does were bred naturally at 24 hours from the onset of oestrus and confirmed for pregnancy after two months. Parturition behaviour was observed closely from two days before the expected date of kidding upto the period of placental expulsion. Result: Supplementation of 50 mg NZn to the basal diet of postpartum Assam Hill Goat significantly improved the reproductive performance by decreasing postpartum oestrus interval and increasing conception rate (83.33%).

Effect of Nano Zinc Supplementation on Haemato-Biochemical Profile in Assam Hill Goat

“…Although many of the nutritional influences on reproductive functions have all been well characterized, underlying mechanism for each and every nutrient is different. Zinc (Zn) as a trace mineral has an influencing role in reproduction in ruminants as it is considered to be a nutritionally imperative element due to its involvement in normal physiological process of reproduction by regulating certain reproductive hormone as well as growth and production [2].Oxidative stress is one of important cause of infertility in goat which is reported to be reduced by Zn supplementation along with feed as it plays a crucial role in synthesis of antioxidative enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) [3].Zinc is an antioxidant and its low concentrations predispose the animals to oxidative damage [4].As zinc is not stored in our body, so a continuous dietary supplementation is required to meet the physiological needs [5].Absorption of inorganic zinc is very less than organic, but because of its high cost, its use is limited. Therefore as an alternative to the conventional zinc source, nano zinc had been used in the present investigation to study the effect of dietary nano zinc supplementation on blood biochemical and hormonal parameters of Assam Hill Goat doe.…”