Investigating the Serum Levels of Copper and Ceruloplasmin in Sheep of Kazerun City, Iran

 In many areas of the world, copper deficiency may occur in livestock. This is not only dependent on the total concentration of copper in the diet but also on the effective factors in the absorption and acquisition of copper. This study aimed to investigate the serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin in sheep in Kazerun City, Iran.

 This study measured serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin of sheep in Kazerun city in four regions of Konartakhteh, Kuhchenar, Baladeh, and Central. Sixty sheep were randomly selected (15 sheep in each region), and their blood was sampled. After separating the serum, an atomic absorption device was used to check the serum concentration of copper and ceruloplasmin. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Pearson and Chi-square correlation tests.

 The results showed that the highest and lowest average copper serum level was 65.25±0.3 µg/dl in the Konartakhteh and 40.38±0.5 µg/dl in the Central area. The highest and lowest average serum levels of ceruloplasmin were 9±0.01 mg/dL in the Baladeh and 8.5±0.03 mg/dL in the Central region. Also, the overall average results showed that the average copper serum level was 55.97±19.57 µg/dl and the average ceruloplasmin was 8.875±0.5 mg/dL, that the copper serum level was in a subclinical deficiency status. The ceruloplasmin level was in a favorable state. The statistical analysis of the correlation between the serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin in sheep showed a correlation of r=0.892 and a significance level of P=0.05. A statistical correlation was observed between the serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin and respectively, the highest and lowest serum levels of copper were 94 and 30.55 μg/dL, and the highest and lowest serum levels of ceruloplasmin were 30.55 and 7.8 mg/dL.

 In sheep from different regions of Kazerun city, the serum level of copper was subclinical deficient, and the serum level of ceruloplasmin was in a favorable condition. It seems that adding copper supplements to the ration of sheep in these areas is necessary.