The Distribution of Essential, Trace, and Nonessential Minerals in Weanling Male Rats Fed Sheep or Cow Milk

Abstract

The concentration of essential and trace minerals in the liver is found to be significantly different between rats fed sheep milk compared to those fed cow milk (p < 0.05). The consumption of sheep milk does not affect the growth of animals.

The Effect of Sheep and Cow Milk Supplementation of a Low Calcium Diet on the Distribution of Macro and Trace Minerals in the Organs of Weanling Rats

“…The experiment design and the number of animals used in the feeding trial were determined by a biometrician, to maximize statistical power and minimize the number of animals required. An unbalanced experimental design was chosen after consideration of previous work [16,17]. The AgResearch Grasslands Animal Ethics Committee (Palmerston North, New Zealand) independently reviewed and approved all animal experiments covered in this work (application number 14440) as a requirement under the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act [21].…”

“…The milk used in the trial was separated into individual aliquots prior to freezing from a bulk delivery of unprocessed food grade milk, provided by each respective supplier. The amount of milk offered was more than the expected total consumption per day (based on earlier observations) and adjusted during the trial as necessary [16]. The volume of milk consumed by each animal was recorded and the remaining milk from each session was discarded.…”

“…These studies identified that the concentration of these minerals is highly dependent on the location of milk production (i.e., environmental factors) and specific farming practices [15]. We have previously provided some insight into the effects of New Zealand SM consumption in addition to a diet containing a balanced mineral profile [16,17]. Despite SM having a higher mineral concentration and macronutrients (protein and fat content) compared to CM, its consumption did not have any effect on the development of rats fed a balanced diet [16,17].…”

“…We have previously provided some insight into the effects of New Zealand SM consumption in addition to a diet containing a balanced mineral profile [16,17]. Despite SM having a higher mineral concentration and macronutrients (protein and fat content) compared to CM, its consumption did not have any effect on the development of rats fed a balanced diet [16,17]. The livers of rats that consumed SM had a lower Fe content compared to CM fed animals.…”

“…The livers of rats that consumed SM had a lower Fe content compared to CM fed animals. Higher concentrations of rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) were present in the brain, kidney, liver, spleen, and serum of the rats fed SM compared to those fed CM [16]. However, the absorption of all types of minerals (macro, trace, and non-essential minerals) occurs at different rates during dietary deficiency, dietary adequacy, and dietary excess [18].…”