Effect of feeding nevvborn lambs \vith colostrum and sterilised cow's milk on serum copper and zinc concentrations

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of artificial rearing on serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of nc\vborn lambs. İn this study. 20 tvvins Chios lambs and 10 Chios cwes vvere used. Lambs wcrc divided into t\vo groups. Each group ineluded 10 lambs. After the parturition. one lamb of the ıwins was stayed uith ewe (Group 1) and the other (Group 2) was removed from evves immediately and they vverc fed sterilised cow*s milk until 2 uecks of age. Blood samples were colleeted from vvhole lambs and ewes via jugular venipuneture into serum tubes at the second week after birth. The concentrations of Cu and Zn in serum were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Cu concentrations of ewes were found significantly higher ıhan Cu concentrations of lambs fed coiostrum-breast milk (p<0.05). Zn concentrations of lambs fed colostrum-breast milk were higher Ihan those of colostrum deprived lambs and Zn concentrations of lactating cwcs were higher ıhan both groups of lambs (p<0.05). İn conelusion. it can bc suggcsted thal colostrum-breast milk intake produces a higher serum Zn and lovver serum Cu concentrations eompared to feeding with sterilised cou 's milk.