The Association of the Potential Risk Factors and Nutrition Elements with Abortion and Calving Rates of Egyptian Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The aim of the present study was to investigate risk factors, serum minerals, and metabolites associated with non-infectious abortion and calving rates of Egyptian buffaloes. Data were obtained from 364 pregnant buffaloes of different ages and parities over 7 years from 2014 to 2020. Body condition score (BCS) was a risk factor regarding abortion and calving; the thinnest buffaloes were more likely to abort and less likely to calving than those with body energy reserves. In comparison with the spring season, aborting probability decreased 49.7% the odds ratio (OR = 0.503), while the chance of calving increased 72.1% (OR = 1.721) during winter. The parity was another significant factor related to abortion and calving rates; multiparous buffaloes were less likely to abort and more likely to calving than primiparous. Dry buffaloes had 88.2% (OR = 0.118) lesser odds of abortion and six times (OR = 6.012) more likely to give birth than those lactating. The sex of the fetus was not a risk factor regarding abortion or calving. Other variables significantly associated with abortion rate were glucose and copper in the sera of aborted buffaloes were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and those of urea, uric acid, total protein, total cholesterol, phosphorus, magnesium and iron were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than a normal pregnancy. In conclusion, the present results emphasize that the identification of the risk factors, serum minerals and metabolites associated with fetus abortion of Egyptian buffalo may provide useful information, which assists to construct suitable preventive measures to raise reproductive performance.

An Investigation on Serum Mineral Levels of Healthy Norduz and Hair Goats Raised in Semi-Intensive Conditions

The aim of this study was to determine the some serum minerals and their interactions between in 2, 3 and 4 years-old healthy Norduz (n=45) and Hair (n=31) goats raised in semi-intensive conditions. Mineral levels were determined with Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) in ppm level. Results were calculated as Fe 1.578±0.088 and 1.379±0.095 mmol/L, Cu 1.300±0.067 and 1.303±0.080 mg/L, Zn 0.972±0.029 and 0.937±0.029 mg/L, K 4.574±0.091 and 2.102±0.074 mmol/L, Mg 2.089±0.057 and 4.670±0.098 mmol/L, Mn 2.163±0.152 and 2.215±0.198 mg/L, Pb 0.078±0.005 and 0.087±0.006 mg/L for Norduz and Hair goats, respectively. While the differences in the mineral levels of hair goats were not significant, significant differences has been found between the age groups in terms of K, F and Pb in Norduz goats. In addition, while there was no statistically significant difference between 3-year-old goats, statistically significant differences hs been found for Fe and 2-year-old goats K and Mg in 4-year-old goats. Moreover, with respect to correlation coefficients, positive correlations were obtained both between K-Mg at Norduz goats and between Fe-Cu, Fe-K, Fe-Mg, K-Mg at Hair goats in all years-old groups.

DETECTION OF SERUM MACRO MINERALS CONCENTRATION IN REPEAT BREEDING ACEH CATTLE

The purpose of this study was to determine the macro minerals concentration in serum of repeat breeding (RB) Aceh cattle. In this study 16 Aceh cattle were examined; they consisted of 7 fertile Aceh cattle (P1) and 9 Aceh cattle with RB (P2), all of which were 3-8 years old with abody condition score (BCS) of 3-4. Serum collection was carried out for examining the level of serum minerals, including magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium. Data was analysed using T-test. The levels of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium,potassium, chloride, and calcium in P1 vs P2 were 2.18±0.60 vs. 2.20±0.34 mg/dL; 6.18±1.34 vs. 6.48±0.74 mg/dL; 142.71±5.09 vs.142.44±2.29 mmol/L; 4.81±0.76 vs. 4.76±0.51 mmol/L; 104.57±4.35 vs. 107.67±7.36 mmol/L; and 9.07±0.45 vs. 9.90 ± 0.60 mg/dL (P0.05), respectively. It was concluded that the concentration of serum macro minerals do not affect the incidence of RB in Aceh cattle.

Assay of Blood Mineral Profiles of Dairy Cows at Various Physiological Status, Seasons and Production Systems in Two Districts of East Shoa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in East Shoa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, to determine serum minerals of dairy cows at different season. The mineral assessed were Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphors (P), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co) and Zinc (Zn). The district and the production systems were selected purposively. A total of two hundred forty blood samples were collected. Blood serum was collected, digested and analyzed for minerals, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Photoelectric colorimeter. The mean serum calcium level was 0.080 vs 0.082g/L for lactating and 0.090, vs 0.081gm/L for dry cows in both seasons, in Ada’a and Adama district, which was mean serum calcium level was very close to critical level (CL) or said to borderline. The mean serum phosphorus was 0.037vs 0.039 g/L) for lactating and 0.038 vs 0.037 gm/L for dry cows in both season in study districts. In general, in addition to Ca limited number of dairy cows were deficient for P, Cu and co. The difference in mean serum magnesium was significant (P less than 0.05) by production system, physiological state of the animals with seasons. Similarly, the difference in serum copper level was statistically significant (p less than 0.05) based on physiology of cows, production system and season. Iron serum concentration showed a significant difference (P less than 0.05) by season, physiology and production system. In case of Zinc and cobalt serum concentration showed a significant difference (p less than 0.05) between production system, physiological stat and season. It could be concluded that in the study area most serum minerals of dairy cows were either below the critical level or very near to the critical level. The variation in serum level of measured mineral was also significant in many cases. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement these deficient minerals to the ration of dairy cows to improve production, productivity, health and reproduction efficiency.