Effects of copper, sulfur, iron, molybdenum and zinc of soil and forage on sheep serum copper and zinc levels in Masjedsolaiman

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of copper, sulfur, iron, molybdenum and zinc of soil and pastoral forages on copper and zinc serum levels of sheep in Masjedsolaiman, southwestern Iran. 4 soil and forage samples and 60 blood samples were taken from sheep in 4 under regarded areas of Masjedsolaiman. The samples were sent to the institute of radiation at Atomic Energy Organization of Iran for the elements measurement. After alkaline digesting, the soil samples were read by ICP-OES apparatuses. After acidic digesting, the forage samples were read by ICP-MS apparatuses. Serum levels of copper and zinc were also measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Comparing the averages mentioned elements of soil with international standard and similar previous researches showed that the soil elements were in normal ranges. Comparing the mean values of forage elements with their critical levels and other studies showed that iron was higher than international standard and critical level, while the mean values for sulfur, copper, molybdenum and zinc were in normal ranges. The results revealed, although copper forage content was in the lowest normal value (6.2 ± 1.5 mg/kg), because of normal sulfur and molybdenum amounts in soil and forage, there was not copper deficiency in zonal sheep. Comparing to normal values, due to high content of soil and pasture iron and decrease in zinc bioavailability, serum zinc concentration of sheep under this investigation was mostly in a borderline deficiency status.