ZINC INTERFERENCE WITH COPPER, IRON AND MANGANESE IN YOUNG JAPANESE QUAIL

ABSTRACT TO identify the most sensitive adverse effects of high dietary zinc, day‐old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix juponica) were fed diets marginally deficient, adequate or slightly elevated in copper with supplements of 15.6–2000 ppm zinc. By 14 days of age, sensitive zinc antagonisms of copper, iron and manganese were evident. The supplemental zinc caused depressed growth, decreased feather pigmentation, mild perosis and anemia; the first three generally being more severe when dietary copper was marginally deficient. The duodenum and liver accumulated zinc in relation to the dietary zinc level. Supplemental zinc caused decreased levels of iron, manganese and copper in the liver. The adequacy of copper intake is important when zinc intake is increased by use of dietary supplements or fortification of foods.