Extracutaneous histologic changes accompanying zinc deficiency in pups
Sanecki, R.K.; Corbin, J.E.; Forbes, R.M.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 46(10): 2120-2123
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4062016 Document Number: 250372
The extracutaneous tissues in pups fed a Zn-deficient diet were examined. Four pups were fed a Zn-deficient diet and 3 littermates were fed a Zn-adequate diet. After 5 weeks, the pups were euthanatized. Lesions found only in pups fed a Zn-deficient diet were located in the buccal mucosa, lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus. In the buccal mucosa, lesions consisted of irregular epithelial hyperplasia and disruption of epithelial cell layers. There was a marked absence of lymphocytes in the thymus and in T-cell areas of the lymph nodes and spleen.