Prevention of ovine lupinosis by the oral administration of zinc sulphate and the effect of such therapy on liver and pancreas zinc and liver copper.

Three experiments were carried out using Merino wethers to investigate if oral administration of zinc sulphate would provide protection against the liver damage that occurs in lupinosis. At the same time, the effect of this zinc therapy on liver and pancreas zinc, and liver copper concentrations, was studied. The zinc therapy caused increases in liver and pancreas zinc concentrations, and a drop in the liver copper concentration. Administration of the toxins of Phomopsis leptostromiformis with the zinc increased the magnitude of these changes. Administration of 0.5 g zinc or greater per day, as zinc sulphate, reduced the liver damage caused by the toxins of P. leptostromiformis. The degree of liver protection provided by the zinc therapy varied both between animals within treatments and between treatments in different experiments. Zinc toxicity was encountered.