Measurement of some trace minerals related to alopecia in ewes blood

69 Pages·2004·0.26 MB·English

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Measurement of some trace minerals
related to alopecia in ewes blood

By
Hussein Abdallah Elawad Mohamoud
B.V.Sc. (University of Khartoum, 1995)

A thesis submitted to the University of Khartoum in partial
fulfillment for the requirements of the degree of Master of
Science in Biochemistry

Supervisor
Dr. Barakat E.M. Elmahdi
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Khartoum

February, 2004
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LIST OF CONTENTS
Page
Content I
Dedication VI
Acknowledgments VII
English abstract VIII
Arabic abstract X
List of figures XII
INTRODUCTION 1

CHAPTER ONE

LITERATURE REVIEW 2
1.1. Overview of minerals 2
1.2. Zinc 2
I.2.1. Importance of zinc 2
1.2.2. Sources of zinc 2
1.2.3. Relation between the physiological status of the animal
and the serum zinc 3
1.2.4. Relation between zinc and alopecia 3
1.2.5. Other clinical signs of zinc deficiency 4
1.2.6. The average content of zinc in the pasture 4
1.2.7. Factors affecting zinc availability in the soil 4
1.2.7.1 Soil texture 4
1.2.7.2 Soil pH 4
1.2.7.3 Soil phosphorus 4
1.2.7.4. Weather conditions 5
1.3. Copper 5
1.3.1 Importance of copper 5
13.2. Classification of copper deficiency 5
13.3. Association of copper with Alopecia 5
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1.3.4. Other clinical signs of copper deficiency 6
1. 3.5 Aetiology of copper deficiency 6
1.3. 6. Copper level in the serum of some Sudanese animals 6
1.3.7. Level of copper in herbage , pasture and plants 7
1. 3.8. Copper concentration in pasture of western Sudan 7
1. 3 .9. Copper in the soil 7
1.4. Iron 7
1.4.1. Importance of iron 7
1.4.2. Iron requirement 8
1.4.3. Sources of iron 8
1.4. 4. Relation between serum iron and pregnancy and lactation 8
1.4. 5. Relation between iron and alopecia 9
1.4.6. Causes of iron deficiency in plants 9
1.4.7 Iron in some Sudanese animals 9
1.5. Cobalt 10
1.5.1. Importance of cobalt 10
1.5.2. Sources of cobalt 10
1.5.3. Relation between cobalt and alopecia 10
1.5.4. Clinical signs of cobalt deficiency apart from alopecia 10
1.5.5. Recommended amount of cobalt 11
1.5.6. Cobalt in the soil 11
1.6. Nickel 11
1.61. Nickel function 11
1.6.2. Dietary need and sources 11
1.6.3. Relation between nickel and skin 11
1.6.4. Indirect relation between nickel deficiency and alopecia 12
1.6.5. Other clinical signs of nickel deficiency 12
1.6.6. Nickel in the soil 12

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1.6.7. Factors affecting the level of micronutrients in the soil
and pasture 13
1.7. Geology of Shambat 13
1.8. The pH of Shambat soil 13
1.9. The relation between pregnancy and alopecia 13

CHAPTER TWO
MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Background 14
2.2. Animals grouping and sample collection 14
2.2.1. Animals grouping 14
2.2.2. Collection of samples and storage 15
2.3. Chemical analysis of minerals in the serum 15
2.4. Principles of atomic absorption spectrometer 15
2.5. Feed Analysis 18
2.5.1. Preparation of Feed Sample “Dry Ashing” 18
2.5.2. Chemical Analysis of Feed 18
2.6. Soil analysis 18
2.6.1. Soil sample preparation for chemical analysis 18
2.6.2. Chemical soil analysis 19
2.6.3. Soil sample preparation for pH determination 19
2.6.4. Determination of soil pH 19
2.7. Statistical analysis 20
CHAPTER THREE
RESULTS
3.1. Cobalt 21
3.1.1. Cobalt in the serum 21
3.1.2. Cobalt in the diet 21
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3.1.3. Cobalt in the soil 21
3.2. Nickel 21
3.2.1. Nickel in the serum 21
3.2.2. Nickel in the diet 26
3.2.3. Nickel in the soil 26
3.3. Iron 26
3.3.1. Iron in the serum 26
3.3.2. Iron in the diet 26
3.3.3. Iron in the soil 31
3.4. Copper 31
3.4.1. Copper in the serum 31
3.4.2. Copper in the diet 31
3.4.3. Copper in the soil 31
3.5. Zinc 36
3.5.1. Zinc in the serum 36
3.5.2. Zinc in the diet 36
3.5.3. Zinc in the soil 36
3.6. The soil pH 35
CHAPTER FOUR
DISCUSSION
4.1. Cobalt 41
4.2. Nickel 41
4.3 Iron 42
4.4. Copper 43
4.5. Zinc 44
4.6. The soil pH 45
CONCLUSION 46

REFERENCES 47

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APPENDICES
Appendix (1): Cobalt levels in the serum, diet and soil
of group (A) and (B) 54
Appendix (2): Nickel levels in the serum, diet and soil
of group (A) and (B) 55
Appendix (3): Iron levels in the serum, diet and soil
of group (A) and (B) 56
Appendix (4): Copper levels in the serum, diet and soil
of group (A) and (B) 57
Appendix (5): Zinc levels in the serum, diet and soil

of group (A) and (B) 58

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To my family

H
I am greatly indebted to my supervisor Dr. Barakat Elhussein,
and to the workers in the University of Khartoum Farm.
I would like to express my deep thanks to Hassan Elfaki, the
Technician of Parasitology and to my colleague Abu Bakr Osman.

I
ABSTRACT
In this study the investigations of the levels of some minerals
related to alopecia in ewes were studied. There was a herd of ewes that
belonged to the University of Khartoum Farm, these ewes had signs of
alopecia, rough hair and wool eating habit. These clinical signs were
noticed in February that's to say during the Winter season when the farm
was poor of herbage.
Another farm of ewes that appeared healthy and had a good hair
coat, which was situated in Hillat Kuku, was selected to represent the
control group.
Five minerals were analyzed in the serum of the University Farm
animals, then compared to their levels in the serum of Hillat KuKu Farm
animals. It was found that there were significant depressions in the serum
iron and cobalt levels in the University Farm animals compared to their
levels in Hillat Kuku Farm.
The levels of serum nickel, copper and zinc of University Farm
animals were higher in comparison with their levels in Hillat Kuku Farm.
The minerals of both farms soils and diets were analysed. It was
found that there were depressions in the soil and roughage cobalt levels in
the University Farm and depressions in the soil and roughage iron levels
in the University Farm in comparison with their appropriate levels in the
J