Effects of zinc deficiency and supplementation on some hematologic parameters of rats performing acute swimming exercise

The aim of the study was to investigate how zinc deficiency and supplementation effect some hematologic parameters of rats performing swimming exercise. Forty adult male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups, zinc deficient swimming group (Group 1, n=10, zinc supplemented swimming group (Group 2, n=10), swimming control group (Group 3, n=10), and control group (Group 4, n=10). Blood samples were taken by decapitation and analyzed for the determination of erythrocyte, hemoglobin level, hematocrit, leukocyte, lymphocyte, platelet count and plasma zinc level at the end of the 4 week experiment. Erythrocyte count of group 1 was the lowest whereas erythrocyte count in group 3 was significantly lower than that in group 2 and 4 (p<0.05). Hemoglobin level of group 1 was significantly lower than that of groups 2 and 4 (p<0.05). Hematocrit was significantly lower in both group 1 and group 3 than both groups 2 and 4 (p<0.05). Lymphocyte count in group 2 was significantly higher than in all other groups (p<0.05). Platelet counts in group 2 was significantly lower than in all other groups (p<0.05). Our findings suggest that zinc deficiency effects the hematologic parameters mentioned negatively whereas zinc supplementation has a positive influence.