Severe Zinc Deficiency in Male and Female Rats

Abstract

A severe zinc deficiency was induced in both male and female weanling rats by the use of a purified diet containing EDTA-treated soybean protein and elimination of zinc contamination from the environment. Signs of deficiency included extreme retardation of growth, immature hair or alopecia, and dermal lesions. These symptoms were completely reversed by supplementation with zinc. The concentrations of both ash and zinc were reduced in the femurs of zinc-deficient rats. Histological lesions were observed in certain tissues. There were no significant differences in the activities of the liver enzymes, pyridoxal phosphokinase, glutamic dehydrogenase, or lactic dehydrogenase in zinc-deficient animals as compared with controls.