Abstract

Background:
Trace minerals are important components of many physiological functions, including growth, development, and the immune response.

Aim:
Evaluation of copper and iron status in sheep and cattle in some areas of Diyala governorate, Iraq.

Methods:
One hundred blood samples were collected, 50 from sheep and 50 from cattle in order to measure the levels of copper and iron in the serum.

Results:
In sheep, serum level of copper significantly increased among females in comparison to males, while among cattle, serum level of copper significantly decreased in females in in comparison with males. The level of iron showed significant increase in females in comparison with males. Serum levels of copper was increased with age of more than one year accordingly in comparison with sheep at the first year of life or less than a year. Among cattle, the age plays no significant role in the level of copper. The levels of copper and iron were significantly increased among pregnant ewes compared with non-pregnant. The levels of copper were significantly increased in lambing in comparison with pregnant and non-pregnant ewes in value of copper. The level of iron was significantly decreased in lambing sheep in comparison with pregnant and non-pregnant sheep. The levels of copper and iron showed no significant changes between pregnant and non-pregnant cows. Sheep from Abu Saida showed significant increase in serum levels of copper and iron in comparison with those from Baqubah and Saadia cities. Cows with good body score have significant increase in serum levels of copper and iron in comparison with those of medium and poor body score. There was no linear correlation between iron and copper levels in serum and the studied parameters for cows and sheep

Conclusion:
The levels of copper and iron in the body of sheep and cattle are affected by age, gender, pregnancy and soil composition.

Key words: Copper, Iron, Trace minerals, Sheep, Cattle