Evaluation of serum iron, copper and zinc concentrations in calves with acute diarrhoea

The present study aimed to evaluate the condition of serum iron, copper and zinc concentrations in calves with acute diarrhoea. For this purpose, 20 healthy and 30 diarrheic calves aged between 5 to 30 days were used. Diarrheic calves were separated into two groups with slight (group 1; n=22) and moderate (group 2; n=7) impression of diarrhoea in relation to their clinical dehydration and depression criteria. Diarrhoea was severely in a calf. In order to determine the haematological and biochemical variables, blood samples were taken for once. Haematocrit (Htc) level, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and erythrocyte numbers along with serum total protein (TP), albumin, urea, and creatinine concentrations were evaluated to determine the degree of diarrhoea. There were significant differences between healthy and diarrheic calves for serum urea, creatinine, copper and zinc concentrations. The mean urea and creatinine concentrations were significantly higher in diarrheic calves than those of healthy calves. The mean serum copper (44,2 ± 21,4 µg/dl vs. 62,8 ± 18,3 µg/dl) and zinc (96,2 ± 52,6 µg/dl vs. 127,3 ± 45,1 µg/dl) concentrations were significantly (p<0.01, p<0.05) lower in diarrhoeic calves than in the healthy calves, respectively. The diarrhoeic calves in the group 2 had significantly higher Htc value, Hb concentration, and serum concentrations of TP, urea and creatinine than the healthy calves and the group 1. Serum copper and zinc concentrations were significantly lower in the group 1 than those of the healthy calves and the calves with moderate diarrhoea (group 2), whereas there were no significant difference in mean values of the parameters between the group 2 and healthy calves.From the results of the study it is concluded that supplementation of antioxidant trace elements (copper and zinc) might play a beneficial role in the treatment of calf diarrhoea.