Comparing Trace Element Concentrations in Serum and Claw Tissue Samples of Buffaloes and Brown Swiss Cattle

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare some trace elements in serum and hoof tissues of healthy Brown Swiss and Anatolian buffaloes raised in Turkey. Thus, the data generated in this study may have some potentials to contribute to future studies in this field. A total of 20 animals, 10 Anatolian buffalo cows and 10 Brown Swiss dairy cattle, were included in the study. The health status of all animals was examined and those without any systemic disease and lameness were enrolled in the study. Hoof tissue samples were taken from the dorsal hooves (paries ungulae) and solear hooves (solea ungulae) of the lateral of the right hind feet of all animals for trace element analysis. Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn levels were determined by ICP-MS in all claw samples. Paries ungulae Cu and Zn levels were significantly higher than in the solea ungulae in both groups (P<0.05). In solear hoof samples, a positive correlation between Cr and Fe, Cr and Cu, and Cr and Zn levels in buffalo group was observed but not statistically significant. In conclusion, Cu and Zn levels in paries ungulae are higher than solea ungulae in both species; however, more comprehensive studies should be performed to determine trace element levels in hooves of buffaloes and cattle with claw lesions.