Zinc deficiency in female rabbits

Zinc deficiency was induced in recently weaned female Tan rabbits by feeding a diet containing 0·2 p.p.m. of zinc and severely limiting their access to zinc from other sources in the environment. Reduced food consumption, weight loss, lowered haematocrit levels, frequent appearance of alopecia and dermatosis as well as reproductive failure were observed. Histologically, the uteri of the zinc-deficient rabbits were pale and inactive. The ovaries had Graafian follicles but lacked corpora lutea despite repeated attempts to mate the females.