• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1648-1653
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• 2009

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of source of supplemental zinc (Zn) on performance, nutrient digestibility and plasma mineral profile in Cashmere goats during the cashmere fiber growing period. Twenty-seven Liao Ning Cashmere wether goats (9-10 month of age; initial BW = 19.31${\pm}$0.32 kg) were fed a basal diet (containing 22.3 mg Zn/kg DM) with no supplemental Zn (control) or 20 mg of supplemental Zn/kg of DM from Zn sulfate ($ZnSO_{4}$) or Zn methionine (ZnMet) for 60 days including a 10-day metabolism trial. Average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and gain:feed (G/F) (p<0.05) were increased by Zn supplementation, but no differences were noted between Zn sources (p>0.05). The length and diameter of cashmere fiber did not differ among treatments (p>0.05). Zn supplementation had no influence on digestibility of DM, CP, EE and NDF (p>0.05). However, ADF digestibility in the group supplemented with ZnMet was significantly higher than in other treatments (p<0.05). Plasma Zn was increased (p<0.05) and Cu tended to be decreased (p = 0.057) by Zn supplementation, but no differences were found between Zn sources (p>0.05). Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity (AKP) was improved by Zn supplementation (p<0.05) and was higher in the $ZnSO_{4}$ than the ZnMet group (p<0.05). Zn retention was increased (p<0.05) and apparent absorption rate was decreased (p<0.05) by Zn supplementation. The results indicate that supplementation of 20 mg Zn/kg DM either as $ZnSO_{4}$ or ZnMet in the basal diet containing 22.3 mg Zn/kg DM can improve growth performance in Cashmere goats, and effectiveness of the two sources is similar on performance measurements.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.422-428
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• 1999

The mineral status of native goats and forage species, namely; Cynodon plectostachyus, Pennisetum purpureum. Eleusine indica, Cynodon dactylon, Calopogonium muconoides, Centrosema pubescens, Leucaena leococephala, and Mimosa pudica in lahar affected areas of Concepcion, Tarlac, Philippines were determined. Forage and blood samples were collected six times in 1996-97, and analyzed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Forage calcium and sulfur are non-limiting. Most species had low phosphorus, copper and selenium, while some had magnesium and zinc levels lower than the critical limit because of low mineral content and high percolation rate of lahar deposits. Iron and molybdenum were in excess. The effect of seasonal variation was observed only in copper, sulfur and iron. Average blood mineral concentration of the animals was above critical limit, but there were no significant differences between seasons. All the animals had plasma phosphorus and magnesium above critical level; but 20 % had low copper, zinc and selenium especially in dry season possibly due to insufficient amount of these elements and excessive molybdenum and iron in most forage. Conversely, calcium in forage was high; but 40 % of the animals had low plasma calcium concentration. Although no clinical signs of mineral deficiencies were observed, supplemental feeding would be important since the condition of the pasture in lahar-laden areas is not expected to improve in the next five years. Intensified use of L. leucocephala with better mineral profile would be ideal.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.214-217
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• 2013

Twenty-nine Korean wheat cultivars were analyzed for 8 important minerals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, K, Mg and P) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). A hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was applied to classify wheat cultivars, which has a similarity in mineral compositions. The concentration ranges of the micro-minerals Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn: 0.12~0.71 mg/100 g, 2.89~5.89 mg/100 g, 1.65~4.48 mg/100 g, and 2.58~6.68 mg/100 g, respectively. The content ranges of the macro-minerals Ca, K, Mg and P: 31.3~46.3 mg/100 g, 288.2~383.3 mg/100 g, 113.6~168.6 mg/100 g, and 286.2~416.5 mg/100 g, respectively. The HCA grouped 6 clusters from all wheat samples and a significant variance was observed in the mineral composition of each group. Among the 6 clusters, the second group was high in Fe and Ca, whereas the fourth group had high Cu, Mn and K concentrations; the fifth cluster was high in Zn, Mg and P. The variation in mineral compositions in Korean wheat cultivars can be used in the wheat breeding program to develop a new wheat cultivar with high mineral content, thus to improve the nutritional profile of wheat grains.