Assessment of Some Serum Trace Element in Holstein Dairy Cattle on Industrial Farms of Isfahan Province, Iran

This study was conducted to investigate the blood serum and diet levels of copper, zinc and iron in Holstein dairy cattle kept under industrial farming in Isfahan province, Iran. A total of 240 blood serum samples and 24 diet samples were collected from industrial dairy cattle farms. The Cu, Fe and Zn contents were assessed in samples using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In serum samples, the mean concentrations of Cu (0.54±0.01 μg/ml) was lower than the critical level and the mean concentrations of Zn (1.16±0.02 μg/ml) and Fe (2.82±0.12 μg/ml) were upper than critical levels (P<0.05). In diet samples, the mean concentration of Cu was somewhat upper than critical level, but the difference was not significant. The mean concentrations of Zn and Fe were significantly higher than critical level (P<0.05). No significant correlation was observed between Cu, Zn and Fe concentrations in serum and diet of industrial dairy cattle. It can be concluded that dairy cattle reared in industrial farms were deficient in serum Cu and this problem requiring vigilance. Therefore, evaluation of interactions between copper and other trace elements is recommended.