Appraisal of Transfer of a Few Crucial Minerals from Forage to Ruminants: A Case Study in Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate minerals (copper, selenium, zinc and cobalt) concentrations of plants used as forages and samples of blood plasma of cows in suburb of Sargodha, Pakistan to know the mineral deficiency of excesses so that proper monitoring should be managed. Plant species and samples of blood were collected for four months after one month interval, wet digested and processed by AAS (Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer) for metals determination. All the metals except Cu found in excess that the need of livestock, with some irregular trends of elevation or depression during times of intervals. The plant samples contained low amount of Cu than that required for livestock for various metabolic processes pointing to the warranted need of provision of mineral mixture containing higher amount of Cu for maximizing the productive and reproductive potential of animals. The amounts of Cu and Zn were found to be elevated and much more than the requirements of livestock, while the Co, and at some harvesting intervals Se in plasma found marginally and moderately, anyhow the values of these metals in plasma of cows found optimum for the normal requirement. Based on the findings of this study, the animals should be supplemented with green forages to prevent problems of minerals imbalances for maximizing the animal potential at the specific investigated area which will a most pragmatic approach in regard of minerals provision to the livestock.