Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal barrier function and structure. This research aimed to expand our understanding of the role of the rumen epithelium in Zn metabolism in ruminants. Using 4 ruminally fistulated steers, 2 experiments were conducted to evaluate Zn’s disappearance from the rumen. A crossover experiment tested the effects of 2 dietary Zn concentrations in either a high-forage (experiment 1) or high-concentrate diet (experiment 2). The washed reticulo-rumen (WRR) technique was used to measure Zn dynamics in the rumen. A third experiment involved crossbred wether lambs, fed for 60 d, to assess how dietary grain and Zn concentrations influence Zn in the ruminal epithelium, Zn transporters, and proteins essential for epithelial integrity. The findings reveal that the rumen epithelium actively absorbs Zn and plays a significant role in Zn metabolism. This research highlights the complex nature of Zn transport within the rumen and underscores its importance for maintaining rumen health under different dietary conditions.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.