Estimation of Zinc in Small ruminants, Soil and Plants in the Northern state -Sudan

Abstract

In the present investigation, zinc levels have been determined in sixteen soil samples and fifty three plant samples in two regions of the Northern State of the Sudan.Three hundred sera and forty eight liver samples of sheep and goats raised in those regions were also collected and analyzed for their Zn content. Soil zinc levels at the Northern and Southern region of the State were 2.81�1.914ppm and 1.276�0.27.73 ppm, respectively. Zinc level in plants in the same parts of the State, were 22.465�1.73ppm and 24.953�2.258ppm, respectively. The levels of zinc in sheep and goats sera were 0.531�0.022 ppm and0.537�0.02ppm, respectively. While hepatic zinc in sheep and goats were 10.325�0.478ppm and10.471�0.544 ppm, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase level as indicator of zinc status was also assessed. 27.18%of sheep and 52.6% of goats showed levels of Alkaline phosphatase lower than the normal levels. Alkaline phosphatase level in sheep was found to be 99.2�17.263 U/L lower than the level in goats (106.97�27.232 U/L).