In order to address the contradictory reports on the rat trace element
status during a vitamin 8-6 deficiency, Zn, Cu and Fe balance was
assessed over 8 weeks in 3 groups of young male rats.
Group 1 was the control group fed on a diet supplemented with 3,5 mg/kg
of vitamin B-6. Group 2 was the marginally deficient group, fed a diet
supplemented with 1,75 mg/kg of vitamin B-6 and Group 3 was the totally
deficient group without any vitamin 8-6 in the diet.
Diet, urine and fecal samples were analysed to determine the mean daily
Zn, Cu and Fe balance for each group during each week of the study.
Urinary xanthurenic acid (XA), plasma pyridoxal (PL), and plasma
pyridoxal 5' -phosphate (PLP) were also analysed in order to determine
the vitamin 8-6 nutritional status of each animal group.
The totally deficient Group 3 showed decreased growth and food consumption
when compared to the control and marginally deficient groups.
There was a significant difference in XA excretion and plasma PLP and
PL levels between all 3 groups with a progressive increase in XA
excretion and a progressive decrease in PLP and PL levels from Group
to Group 3. Although all groups were found to be in a positive balance
for Zn, Cu and Fe, the totally deficient group was in a less positive
balance compared to Groups 1 and 2. Furthermore, the percentage excretion
of Zn and Cu, when compared to the intake, was greater in this
group. This increased excretion, coupled with a decreased food intake,
accounted for the lowered Zn and Cu balances in the totally deficient
group. Fe excretion did not differ significantly between all 3 groups.
The marginally deficient Group 2 showed no significant difference in
growth, food consumption, trace element balance and excretion when
compared to the control group, indicating the beneficial effects of
even subminimal levels of vitamin B-6. This study confirms that the
nutritional status of t~ace elements, especially that of Zn and CU, is
related to the vitamin B-6 status of the animal. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/9601 |
| Date | 23 September 2013 |
| Creators | Channa, Mahendra Lala. |
| Contributors | Burger, F. J. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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