Assessing the Effects of Organic Zinc And/Or Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Immunity, Lipoproteins, Cortisol, and Testosterone Production in Zoo-Housed African Lions (Panthera Leo).

Abstract

In a 90 days trial,12 zoo-housed male african lions were divided into four groups: control (CON), zinc (ZT), omega 3 (OT), and zinc omega 3 mixture (ZOT) supplement. OT group received 3 g/kg linseed oil, ZT group received 60 mg/kg, and ZOT group received 3000 mg alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and 60 mg zinc/day/orally. In comparison to control (p < 0.05), the feed additive supplemented groups (ZT, OT, and ZOT) showed substantial improvements in the blood immunological indicators. ZOT showed the highest improvement in hematological parameters and globulin level (p < 0.05), while liver enzyme activity (AST and ALT) showed the lowest improvement (p < 0.05). Fecal cortisol metabolites level was significantly lower in tested groups compared to control with lowest values in case of OT and ZOT groups (p < 0.05). Fecal testosterone metabolite levels were higher dramatically in case of feed additives supplementation with highest level in case of ZOT group (p < 0.05). When compared to other groups, the OT and ZOT groups had significantly higher HDL and lower LDL levels (p < 0.05). in conclusion, we may infer that zinc and omega 3 combination have a synergistic effect in improving immunity, general health and reproductive hormone production in zoo-housed African lions.