Field and laboratory study of trace elements deficiency in sheep in Al-Najaf province

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the trace elements in the blood of sheep suffering from clinical signs of mineral deficiency . Thousand  (1000) ewe were examined clinically and 32 were suffering from sever mineral deficiency, while 10 animals clinically healthy selected as control group . Blood samples were taken,  32 samples from the infected group and other 10 samples from the control group . Blood samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed  high deficiency in trace elements as well as presence of significant differences between the affected and the control groups at p<0.05 .The values of Cu, Fe, Co, Zn and Pb in serum of control group  were 0.859  ± 0.091 ppm , 2.038 ±0.016 ppm , 0.519 ± 0.076 ppm , 1.028 ± 0.015 ppm , 0.003 ± 0.0005 ppm respectively and in affected group Cu,Fe,Co,Zn And Pb were 0.209 ± 0.006 ppm, 0.294 ± 0.025 ppm, 0.012 ± 0.001 ppm , 0.190 ± 0.007 ppm, 0.053 ± 0.006 ppm respectively. There was no significant variation in toxic metal Pb between affected and control group.at (p<0.05).