Behavioral and Biochemical Alterations in Sheep with Trace Elements Deficiency: A Trial for Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Micro-minerals imbalances have a great impact on animal's physiology and cause various problems. Trace mineral deficiency is not recognized easily, especially in the sheep and goats as the deficiency exists in the flocks in sub-clinical form and affects the fertility and animal welfare. Methods: This study was carried out to detect trace elements deficiency through behavioral observation, haematological and biochemical analysis in sheep with a trial of treatment with a trace elements mixture. Results: A total number of fifteen diseased baladi ewes were used, blood samples were obtained at the beginning and also ewes were behaviorally observed two weeks before treatment for ascertain trace elements deficiency. Ewes were then treated with mineral mixture drug for two weeks during which they were behaviorally observed. Blood samples were obtained again after treatment for haematological and biochemical analysis. The obtained results following treatment showed significant increased drinking and licking frequencies; copper, cobalt, selenium and magnesium levels and also haemoglobin and red blood cells count, while feeding and lateral recumbancy time, movement frequency, zinc and calcium levels and also white blood cells count and packed cell volume percent were non-significant increased. Furthermore, rumination and standing time and iron and phosphorus levels were non-significantly decreased. However, sodium and potassium levels were significantly decreased. Conclusions: It can be concluded that trace elements deficiency in sheep could cause behavioural, haematological and biochemical changes which respond to treatment but need long time for complete curns so it is recommended to provide trace element supplementation in ration.

Comparative Study of Concentration of Some Minerals in Milk and Blood Plasma of Sheep and Goats Native and Foreign During Post-Partum Period under Climatic Conditions of Upper Egypt

“…Concentrations of copper in blood plasma of Awassi ewes were higher compared with Baladi ewes (P <0.05), Figure (5). The obtained means were agree with that reported by Hajer et al (2014) and Nawito et al (2015) (0.44 -0.84 mg/l) in ewes, but the means was lower than that reported by Ebrahim et al (2016) and Samadieh et al (2017) (1.01 -1.09 mg/l) in sheep. Copper concentrations were higher (P <0.05) in winter season compared with summer season in the two breeds.…”

“…Concentrations of sodium in blood plasma of Awassi ewes were significantly higher (2321.5± 10.8 mg/l) compared with Baladi ewes (2034.3± 8.8 mg/l) (P <0.05). The obtained means were agrees with that reported by Sowande et al (2008) (2326.9 mg/l), but the mean was higher than that reported by Ebrahim et al (2016Ebrahim et al ( ) (1090. While the obtained mean was lower than that reported by Hassabo et al (2015) (2648.9 mg/l) in plasma of sheep.…”

“…Concentrations of zinc in blood plasma of Awassi ewes were higher compared with Baladi ewes (P <0.05) Figure (7). The means were closed to that reported by Ebrahim et al (2016) and Samadieh et al (2017) 0.58 and 1.79 mg/l respectively. Higher concentration of zinc in sheep milk was reported by Nawito et al (2015) 4.3mg/l.…”

“…Several studies assess the minerals in ewes milk (Gerchev and Mihaylova, 2012;Catarino et al, 2013 andEl-bagermi et al, 2014) and goats milk (El-bagermi et al, 2014;Ojoawo andAkinsoyinu, 2014 andHernandz andPark, 2014). Recently some researchers determined the minerals in plasma of ewes and goats (Hassabo et al, 2015;Ebrahim et al, 2016 andSamadieh et al, 2017). There is limited information about concentration of minerals in milk and blood in ewes and goats that rearing under Upper Egypt conditions.…”

Study the Role of Selenium or Zinc as Organic form on some Antioxidant and Liver Enzymes of Rams

“…Trace elements play an important role in certain physiological and biochemical processes and vitally important Human and animals development 2 . Therefore, it is important to provide trace elements to a ration of the animal, especially ruminant, the imbalance of antioxidants which triggers dramatic changes in the behavior of an animal as well as the influence of livestock production and also some modifying the blood components and causes diseases that may not respond to the medication 3 . Dietary antioxidants such as vitamins have been reported to inhibit physiological disorders, thus increasing the performance and consistency of the meat 4 .…”