EFFECTS OF INFECTION ON PLASMA-LEVELS OF COPPER AND ZINC IN EWES

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 12  (2) , 133-136
Abstract
Plasma Cu and Zn in 20 ewes, healthy or infected with chronic postpartum metritus or mastitis, were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plasma protein profile was measured by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate plates; albumin and ceruloplasmin were determined colorimetrically. For the 10 initial days, plasma Cu and ceruloplasmin increased and plasma Zn decreased in spite of a daily drenching of 200 mg Zn/ewe (as sulfate). Fibrinogen and IgG2 increased and albumin decreased slightly, indicating an infectious process. After a 5 day period of i.m. injection with chloramphenicol, tetracycline and prednisolone plasma Zn increased but Cu remained unchanged. Evidently, hypozicemia should not be attributed to a Zn deficiency without any information on biochemical parameters specific for inflammation or infection. An inflammatory hypozincemia is not affected by a Zn treatment even at a high level.

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