Manipulating Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium Utilization by Growing Lambs Using Natural Zeolite (Clinoptilolite)

Abstract

A total of 24 three-month-old lambs with an average weight of 23 ± 1.5 kg were used in this study and fed a complete diet supplemented with natural zeolite at 1% and 2% of feed weight to evaluate the effect of zeolite on calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) concentration in tissues (kidney, liver, and muscle), rumen fluid, and blood. Adding zeolite at 2% to the diet resulted in an increase (p < 0.05) in body weight but a depressed feed conversion ratio. Phosphorus digestibility was significantly (p < 0.05) increased with the addition of zeolite while the digestibility of Ca and Mg remained unaffected (p > 0.05). The concentration of Ca, Mg, and P in the liver remained unchanged (p > 0.05) with the addition of zeolite. The addition of zeolite led to a decrease (p < 0.05) in the Ca concentration in the kidney and muscle, whereas the Ca concentration in lambs receiving diets supplemented with 2% zeolite (123.13 and 48.49 µg/g) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than supplementation at 1% (120.13 and 45.66 µg/g, respectively, for kidney and muscle). Furthermore, serum and rumen fluid concentrations of P, Ca, and Mg exhibited no significant differences upon the addition of zeolite to the diet. Conclusively, diet supplementation by zeolite at 2% improves performance and especially P digestibility, which may result in the reduction in minerals in lambs’ waste and consequently a reduction in environmental pollution.