A relationship between serum copper concentrations and haematological and biochemical parameters in sheep

Abstract

Copper is an essential trace element for animals, required for body, bone and wool growth, pigmentation, nervous system, haemoglobin formation and white blood cell function. The animal's nutrient supply can be assessed with the help of haematological and biochemical blood tests. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between copper serum concentration and haematological and biochemical parameters in sheep. Sheep from two farms were included in the study. Blood samples were taken from the sheep (40 per flock) twice a year, in the fall after the end of the grazing period and in the spring before the beginning of the grazing period. We carried out 6 consecutive samplings, a total of 480 samples were taken. Haematological (complete blood count) and biochemical analyses of blood samples were performed. The concentrations of copper (Cu), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), urea (Urea), calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (iP), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chlorine (Cl) were measured in the blood serum. The statistical analysis of the results was carried out using the SPSS programme (IBM SPSS Statistics, Ver 29). The comparison (t-test for independent samples) of the investigated parameters for two groups was calculated depending on the Cu concentration in the blood (too low/within the reference values) and the correlation (Pearson) between the Cu concentration and the other investigated parameters. oo low concentration (< 10 µmol/L) of copper was found in 22.3 % of the samples. he mean serum Cu concentration in the low copper group was 7.01 ± 1.84 µmol/L and in the normal copper group 13.73 ± 2.99 µmol/L. Statistically significant lower concentrations of BHB, Ca, urea, Alb, Na, CV, CH and WBC were found in the low copper group. We found a statistically significant positive correlation between the concentration of Cu and BHB, urea, TP, Alb, Na, Cl, MCV, WBC, PLT and MCH, and a statistically significant negative correlation between the Cu concentration and RBC. Lower values of the mentioned parameters could be partly related to copper deficiency in sheep. The results show that copper and mineral deficiency could be a problem in sheep grazing on extensive pastures in hilly mountainous regions. In our experience, farmers of small ruminants are often insufficiently aware of the fact that sheep and goats also need mineral and vitamin supplements always available to meet their needs. It would therefore be advisable to pay more attention to educating farmers on this issue. Owners should take care to provide their animals with appropriate mineral mixtures.