The Effect of Cobalt on Growth and Certain Blood Constituents of Sheep

Abstract

When iodine, cobalt, manganese, copper, and iron were supplied to many Northern Wisconsin sheep, death losses were reduced, the lamb crop greatly increased, and sheep that were emaciated and anemic were greatly improved. Symptoms very similar to those of sheep dying in the field were produced experimentally with sheep from the affected area by feeding a ration of corn, corn gluten meal, and hay from the afflicted area. Symptoms of appetite loss, emaciation, and anemia were quickly alleviated by the addition of 1 ounce of cobalt sulphate to 100 pounds of salt, fed free choice. The most noticeable effect of supplementing the ration with cobalt was the rapid resumption of appetite. This increased feed intake was reflected by a sharp increase in growth and in blood plasma vitamins A and C. Hemoglobin formation following cobalt therapy returned to normal slowly and was not as rapid as the appetite and growth responses. Copyright © . .