Response of zinc and copper content of guinea pig hair to zinc citrate supplementation

ABSTRACT

Zinc citrate was given orally to 32 guinae pigs Zinc supplementation on for two months in various doses to study the response of Zinc and Copper content of hair. The mineral content was determined with the help of atomic absorption spectrophotometers of two different makes at two different centers. Zinc Supplementation caused gain in weight of animals which was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant change in the zinc content of hair even with various doses of supplement. However the copper content of hair was reduced with various doses and the decrease was statistically highly significant Moreover, ZnCu ratio was increased sequentially and was statistically highly significant [P<0.001]. It suggests that Zn and Cu have competitive interaction as far as their metabolism in the body [especially the hair] is concerned