The Effect of Dietary Organic Copper and Zinc Trace Minerals on Some Yield and Mineral Levels and Histological Structure of Testes

Abstract

Abstract In this study, organic copper and zinc minerals, which were reduced by 25% of the inorganic copper (Cu) and inorganic zinc (Zn) levels recommended for sheep, were determined by the lambs live weight, scrotum length, scrotum circumference, testis length, testicular diameter, the effects on serum, fleece, and stool mineral levels, semen delivery age, and the histological structure of testis were investigated. Depending on their nutrition with organic or inorganic minerals, male lambs born from sheep were divided into two groups, one organic and the other inorganic given a ration containing copper and zinc minerals. 5.25 mg/kg DM copper-chelate (2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyrate) and 15.0 mg/kg DM zinc-chelate were given to the experimental group, and 7 mg/kg DM copper-sulfate and 20 mg/kg DM zinc-sulfate were given to the control group. At the end of the experiment, it was determined that the difference between the live weight, scrotum length and circumference, testicular length and diameter, and the mean age of sperm delivery with 50% motility were not statistically significant. It was determined that the mean values of serum copper, serum zinc, and fleece zinc were numerically higher in the experimental group, and the average fleece copper value was significantly higher in the experimental group. At the end of the experiment, the mean fecal copper level and the mean fecal zinc level were found to be significantly lower in the experimental group. Moreover, it was determined that the height of the tubular epithelium was higher in the experimental group. Although organic copper and organic zinc were given at lower levels, it was determined that they showed similar results with inorganic copper and inorganic zinc and even better in terms of some parameters.