The Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Plasma Melatonin and Kisspeptin Levels in Rams

Abstract

The study that researched the effect of zinc added to the rations of rams on kisspeptin and melatonin levels was conducted on 2 years old 12 Kivircik crossbreed rams (6 control, 6 experimental) for 1 year. In addition to the ad libitum dry alfalfa straw, it was given mixed feed (barley, salt and vitamin-mineral mixture as standard) supplemented with 25 mg/kg/ DM ZnO, for the control group and 125 mg/kg/ DM ZnO for experimental group per day. During the study, blood samples were taken once a month and kisspeptin and melatonin levels were measured with ELISA in plasmas obtained from blood samples. Melatonin levels were found to be between 62.8-164.5 ng/L in experimental group and 22.1-105.9 ng/L in control group. Kisspeptin levels were determined to be between 209.8-514.2 ng/L in experimental group and 92.6-356.6 ng/L in control group. Zinc supplementations showed numerical increases in kisspeptin and melatonin levels