Wool analysis as an indicator for diagnosis of some trace elements deficiency in sheep

Abstract EN

The present study aimed to establish the different concentrations of Copper, Zinc, Iron, and Manganese in sheep blood serum, wool and feed stuffs, in comparison with the recorded results obtained from apparently healthy sheep.

A total number of 40 ewes 10 of them were apparently healthy and 30 ewes showed different signs as (easly detached wool, anorexia and diarrhoea), their ages ranged between 1-4 years.

Blood serum, wool and feed samples of sheep were collected from different villeges around Assiut city.

The present study revealed that diseased sheep showed highly significant decrease in the serum and wool Copper, Zinc, Iron, and Manganese levels in comparison with apparently healthy ones.

Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed that Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were positively correlated in both blood serum and wool samples.

Mean levels of copper, zinc, iron, and manganese in hay and crop residue mixture at the dry matter basis, fall at the lower margin of the latest NRC recommendations.

These findings indicated that the concentrations of trace elements in the wool of sheep gave a good indication for the diagnosis of of some trace elements deficiency.