Determination of the Levels of Zinc, Copper, Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium of Chios Ewes in the Aydın Region

Authors: FUNDA KARGIN, KAMİL SEYREK, AYŞEGÜL BİLDİK, SERAP AYPAK

Abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate the Cu, Zn, Ca, P and Mg levels of blood serum and the Cu and Zn levels of wool from clinically healthy Chios ewes grazed in meadows in the Aydın region. A total of 100 blood and wool samples from various villages in different districts of Aydın (Germencik, Yenipazar, Çine, Koçarlı and the central district) were studied. The Zn and Cu values were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum Ca, P and Mg were measured by photometer using commercially available kits. The average Cu, Ca, P and Mg values of sera were near to the normal values. However, the Zn levels of sera and wool were lower than the normal values. Likewise, the amounts of Cu in wool were below the normal levels. The levels of Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg and P in serum and the values of Cu and Zn in wool showed highly significant differences among the districts (P < 0.001). There were no significant correlations between serum and wool values of Cu and Zn (P > 0.05). In the light of these findings, the rations of animals grazing in meadows are recommended to be reinforced with Zn and Cu, at least in the winter.

Keywords: Chios ewes, copper, serum, wool, zinc

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