Mineral Composition of Serum from and Dermatophilus Infected Zebu Cattle Under Grazing Conditions in Nigeria

Abstract

SERUM zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in Zebu cattle with dermatophilosis and in normal cattle under grazing conditions during the rainy season in Northern Nigeria. The mean serum Zn, Ca, Mg and K levels in cattle with dermatophilosis were found to be significantly lower than in normal cattle. The serum Zn, Ca and Mg values in Nigerian Zebu cattle during the rainy season appear to be lower than values found by most other workers for cattle found elsewhere. The converse is true for Cu and K. The differences in serum mineral values between Nigerian Zebu cattle and cattle in other countries may be due, among other reasons, to differences in the nutrient quality of the natural forages upon which grazing cattle subsist.