Trace elements variation in blood serum of sheep suffering from internal parasites in recently reclaimed areas (Darb Al-Arbaiyn) in the western Egyptian desert [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

Sheep reared in the recently reclaimed areas in the New-Vaney governorate are suffering from mineral disorders due to disturbance in mineral concentrations in soil. water and pasture. The present workaimed to evaluate of the effect of internal parasitism as an interacting factor on the concentrations of blood serum iron, copper and zinc of sheep rearing in Darb Al-Arbaiyn area at the New Valley governorate. For this purpose, concentrations of blood serum iron, copper and zinc were estimated in 96 ewes classified according to parasitological investigations into 30 parasite free ewes (controls), 27 infected with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIn, 17 with fascioiasis and 22 with mixed infection. The results showed that13.3% of normal sheep had lower iron values than the reference marginal values. This ratio increased up to 44.4% and more than 50% in GIT nematodes and mixed infection respectively, but it was not largely differed during fascioliasis (17.7%). Concerning copper. it was 26.7% lower in clinically normal sheep than the reference marginal values. This value increased up to more than 50% in OIT nematodes and mixed infection, but it was not largely differed in sheep fascioliasis (17.7%). The results showed also that third of normal sheep had lower zinc values than the reference marginal values. This value increased up to more than 50% in the all parasite infected sheep. On the other hand. the mean iron. copper and zinc concentrations were significantly decreased in blood serum of sheep infected by 01T nematodes with a percentage change of -6.81% (P=0.003), -22.88% (P=0.003) and -9.94% (P=0.040) than control animals respectively. Fascioliasis in sheep had insignificant effect on blood serum iron and copper but serum zinc concentration was significantly decreased in affected (-11.76%, P=0.023) than control sheep. There was a significant reduction in the mean values of iron. copper and zinc concentrations in sheep infested with mixed parasites with a percentage of -11.15%(P=0.0001), -19.75% (p=0.017) and -16.0% (p=0.007) than healthy animals respectively. In this concern, the infection with internal parasites could significantly exacerbate the existing trace elements deficiency in sheep at the recently reclaimed areas.

Summary in Arabic.