Relationship between copper and zinc on selected haematotological parameters in beef and dairy cattle

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in blood plasma, faeces and a diet of cattle (cows and heifers) from selected herds and find correlations between these minerals and haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht) and leukocytes count (Lc). There was analysing 199 blood and faeces samples of cattle (72 of beef cattle and 127 of dairy cattle) during year 2004. The concentrations of Cu (14,50 ± 3,25 µmol.l-1) and Zn (17,99 ± 4,05 µmol.l-1) in blood plasma of dairy cattle were higher than in beef cattle (Cu 11,2 ± 3,87 µmol.l-1; Zn 13,01 ± 3,86 µmol.l-1). The lack of Cu and Zn in beef cattle could be due to deficiency of both elements in a diet that was covered only from 86 % by the Cu and 89 % by the Zn. There were found linear positive dependencies between Hb, Ht and Cu and Zn (rxy = from 0,201* to 0,335*) in dairy cows and (rxy = from 0,520* to 0,688*) in beef cattle. The negative significant linear dependency was found between Zn and Lc (rxy = -0,320*).