Severe Zinc Deficiency in Male and Female Rats

The 1968 study on severe zinc deficiency in male and female weanling rats found that a diet with minimal zinc led to extreme growth retardation, immature hair or alopecia, dermal lesions, and tissue damage, but did not significantly alter liver enzyme activities. Zinc supplementation completely reversed these symptoms, underscoring zinc's essential role in growth, development, bone composition, and reproductive health. The study suggested a dietary zinc requirement of at least 100 ppm for rats on isolated soybean protein diets.