RESUMEN
Zinc and copper deficiencies have been reported in heifers of various breeds at four different locations in Sudan. These were Kuku (5 km north of Khartoum), Seleit (20 km northwest of Khartoum), Medani (180 km south of Khartoum) and El Obeid (600 km west of Khartoum). Phosphorus deficiency was only observed in the serum of heifers at El Obeid. The heifers at all locations showed delayed puberty, stunted growth and infertility. The heifers of the local breeds at El Obeid only attained puberty by 1530 days of age compared with 840 days for the pure Friesian heifers at Seleit. The crossbred animals at Kuku and Medani attained puberty at 1440 and 1020 days of age, respectively. The marginal or low zinc and copper contents in pasture, soil or animal feed may have been predisposing factors for the observed deficiencies and might have been responsible for the delayed age of puberty.
Asunto(s)
Bovinos/fisiología , Cobre/administración & dosificación , Fosfatos/administración & dosificación , Maduración Sexual/efectos de los fármacos , Zinc/administración & dosificación , Alimentación Animal , Animales , Bovinos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/sangre , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/fisiopatología , Cobre/deficiencia , Femenino , Fertilidad/efectos de los fármacos , Trastornos Nutricionales/sangre , Trastornos Nutricionales/fisiopatología , Trastornos Nutricionales/veterinaria , Fosfatos/deficiencia , Fósforo/sangre , Fósforo/deficiencia , Maduración Sexual/fisiología , Sudán , Zinc/deficienciaRESUMEN
The association between the combination of age and physiological status of dairy Nubian goats, pregnancy or lactation and blood concentration of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) was investigated. The animals were divided into (a) young (4-6 months old), (b) adult (9-12 months old), (c) pregnant (within 50 days of their first pregnancy and (e) lactating animals grouped according to parity (up to 50 days after first, second or third kidding). Each group or sub-group consisted of five animals. The data analysis revealed that plasma Zn concentration decreased (3.91-1.12mg/l) significantly with increase in age. There was a significant increase in Zn levels in high yielders compared to low ones (2.00-6.59mg/l). Cu plasma levels increased (5.01-3.17mg/l) significantly in adult compared to young animals but decreased (5.01-4.13mg/l) significantly after first kidding compared to second and third kidding as well as in pregnant animals. It can be shown that the different physiological states would impose certain demands on animal needs for these trace elements and hence adequate amounts in the diet should be accounted for to achieve the best animal performance.