N D Grace1. 1. AgResearch Ltd, Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand. neville.grace@agresearch.co.nz
Abstract
AIM: To determine the impact of ingestion of soil on the iodine (I), selenium (Se), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co; vitamin B12) status of young sheep. METHODS: Twenty young sheep were divided into two groups; one group was fed lucerne pellets, while the other group was fed lucerne pellets plus 100 g soil, for 63 days. At the end of the study the animals were blood-sampled, slaughtered, and the liver removed, and concentrations of I, Cu, vitamin B12 and Se were determined. RESULTS: The ingestion of soil significantly increased concentrations of I and vitamin B12 in serum, but had no effect on concentrations of Cu and Se in serum/blood and liver, and vitamin B12 in liver. CONCLUSION: Ingested soil can be a significant source of I and Co (vitamin B12) for grazing sheep.
AIM: To determine the impact of ingestion of soil on the iodine (I), selenium (Se), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co; vitamin B12) status of young sheep. METHODS: Twenty young sheep were divided into two groups; one group was fed lucerne pellets, while the other group was fed lucerne pellets plus 100 g soil, for 63 days. At the end of the study the animals were blood-sampled, slaughtered, and the liver removed, and concentrations of I,Cu, vitamin B12 and Se were determined. RESULTS: The ingestion of soil significantly increased concentrations of I and vitamin B12 in serum, but had no effect on concentrations of Cu and Se in serum/blood and liver, and vitamin B12 in liver. CONCLUSION: Ingested soil can be a significant source of I and Co (vitamin B12) for grazing sheep.