The effect of zinc and copper deficiency on hematological parameters, oxidative stress and antioxidants levels in the sheep

Abstract EN

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentration, as well as the clinical signs that may be occur due to the Zinc and copper deficiency, in addition to the effect the two trace elements levels on the hematological levels, oxidative stress Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant levels glutathione and Catalase (CAT).

This study carried out in Basra province, the study conducted on (75) sheep (male and female).

About 60 sheep clinically have from zinc and copper deficiency (hypozincemia) and 15 clinically apparently healthy served as a control group.

The clinical signs occur due to the tow trace elements deficiency include: loss of appetite, depression, pica, repeatedly bites off the wool of other sheep, loss of the wool, loss of hair around the eyes, ear and nose, alopecia, parakeratosis, stiff in gait and some animals suffering from diarrhea, pale of the mucous membrane, decrease the rumenal contraction, and significant (P<0.05) increase the heart and respiratory rate with normal body temperature.

Also the results show significant increase (P<0.05) of MDA concentration, in addition to significant decrease (P<0.05) in glutathione and CAT levels due to significant decrease (P<0.05) in both Zn and Cu concentration levels, this point the Zn and Cu play important role in prevent damage occur due to the oxidative stress via decrease the free radicals, also it has role in antioxidant synthesis.