Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the blood serum and diet concentrations of copper, zinc, and iron in Holstein dairy cattle kept under semi-industrial farming in Isfahan province, central Iran. Moreover, the effects of season, pregnancy, and daily milk yield on serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations were also evaluated. The study was carried out on 12 semi-industrial Holstein dairy cattle farms. A total of 120 blood serum samples (60 in each season) and 24 diet samples (12 in each season) were collected in the summer and winter. The Cu, Fe, and Zn contents were assessed in samples using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In the summer, the mean concentrations of Cu and Fe in serum samples were lower and higher than the critical level, respectively (P < 0.05). In total diet samples, the mean concentrations of Zn were significantly higher than critical level (P < 0.05). In summer, winter, and total diet samples, the mean concentrations of Fe were significantly higher than critical level (P < 0.05). The serum Cu and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in the winter than those determined in the summer (P < 0.05). The serum Cu concentrations were significantly higher in nonpregnant than those in pregnant dairy cattle (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of dairy cattle in different daily milk yield groups. It can be concluded that Holstein dairy cattle reared under semi-industrial dairy farming were deficient in serum Cu concentrations, especially in summer. Further, high level of Fe in blood serum might be due to feeding of cattle with diet containing excess quantity of Fe.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akhtar, M.S., Farooq, A.A. and Mushtaq, M., 2009. Serum concentrations of copper, iron, zinc and selenium in cyclic and anoestrus Nili-Ravi buffaloes kept under farm conditions, Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 29, 47–48
Andrieu, S., 2008. Is there a role for organic trace element supplements in transition cow health? The Veterinary Journal, 176, 77–83
AOAC, 2005. Official Methods of Analysis, (18th edition, Association of Analytical Communities, Washington, DC, USA)
Atyabi, N., Gharagozloo, F. and Nasiri, S.M., 2006. The necessity of iron supplementation for normal development of commercially reared suckling calves, Comparative Clinical Pathology, 15, 165–168
Badiei, K., Mostaghni, K., Pourjafar, M. and Parchami, A., 2006. Serum and tissue trace elements in Iranian camels (Camelus dromedarius), Comparative Clinical Pathology, 15, 103–106
Ceylan, A., Serin, I., Aksit, H. and Seyrek, K., 2008. Concentrations of some elements in dairy cows with reproductive disorders, The Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy, 52, 109–112
Garcia, M.J., Alegria, A., Barbera, R., Farre, R. and Lagarda, M.J., 2000. Selenium, copper, and zinc indices of nutritional status: influences of sex and season on reference values, Biological Trace Element Research, 73, 77–83
Heidarpour Bami, M., Mohri, M., Seifi, H.A. and Alavi Tabatabaee, A.A., 2008. Effects of parenteral supply of iron and copper on hematology, weight gain, and health in neonatal dairy calves, Veterinary Research Communications, 32, 553–561
Heinrichs, A.J., Costello, S.S. and Jones, C.M., 2009. Control of heifer mastitis by nutrition, Veterinary Microbiology, 134, 172–176
Kamalzadeh, A., Rajabbeygi, M. and Kiasat, A., 2008. Livestock production systems and trends in livestock industry in Iran, Journal of Agriculture and Social Science, 4, 183–88
Kumaresan, A., Bujarbaruah, K.M., Pathak, K.A. and Ramesh, B.T., 2010. Soil–plant–animal continuum in relation to macro and micro mineral status of dairy cattle in subtropical hill agro ecosystem, Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42, 569–77
Mohebbi-Fani, M., Nazifi, S., Ansari-Lari, M. and Namazi, F., 2010. Mixed mineral deficiencies in a dairy herd with sub-clinical production disorders, Comparative Clinical Pathology, 19, 37–41
Pavlata, L., Podhorsky, A., Pechova, A. and Chomat, P., 2005. Differences in the occurrence of selenium, copper and zinc deficiencies in dairy cows, calves, heifers and bulls, Veterinary Medicine Czech, 50, 390–400
Radostits, O.M., Gay, C.C., Hinchcliff, K.W. and Constable, P.D., 2007. Veterinary Medicine: A textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses, (10th edition, W.B. Saunders Co., London)
Sakhaee, E. and Kazeminia, S., 2010. Relationship between liver and blood plasma copper level and abortion in cattle, Comparative Clinical Pathology, doi:10.1007/s00580-010-1020-7
SAS, 2001. SAS user's guide: Statistics, SAS Inst. Inc., Carry, NC
Singh, V. and Bohra, B., 2005. Livestock feed resources and feeding practices in hill farming system—a review, Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 75, 121–127
Slavik, P., Illek, J. and Zeleny, T., 2006. Zinc and copper status of beef cattle in the Sumava region, Czech Republic, Acta Veterinaria Brno, 75, 485–488
Underwood, E.J. and Suttle, N.F., 1999. The mineral nutrition of livestock, (3rd edition, CABI Publishing, Oxfordshire, UK)
Yokus, B. and Cakir, U.D., 2006. Seasonal and physiological variations in serum chemistry and mineral concentrations in cattle, Biological Trace Element Research, 109, 255–266
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to Animal Science Research Institute of Iran and Isfahan Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources for funding the research and technical support.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Noaman, V., Rasti, M., Ranjbari, A.R. et al. Copper, zinc, and iron concentrations in blood serum and diet of dairy cattle on semi-industrial farms in central Iran. Trop Anim Health Prod 44, 407–411 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9911-4
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9911-4