SERUM LEVELS OF ZINC, COPPER AND THEIR CARRIER PROTEINS IN CATTLE WITH THEILERIOSIS

In this study, 90 cattle with theileriosis and 90 healthy cattle were studied based on clinical and laboratory examination including parasitological and biochemical tests. Special biochemical kits were used for determination of zinc, copper, albumin, calcium, magnesium and ferrous levels in sera. Serum levels of transferin and ceruloplasmin were measured with ELISA and Sunderman & Nomoto method, respectively. The serum level of zinc was significantly decreased in cattle suffering from theileriosis (p<0.01). Serum concentration of copper showed decrease in cattle with theileriosis but it was not significant. The Biochemical findings revealed that cattle infected with theileriosis have significantly lower serum levels of transferin, magnesium, albumin, iron (p<0.01) and calcium (p<0.05). Serum value of ceruloplasmin in sick animals was significantly more than healthy cattle (p<0.05). There was significant relationship between serum level of zinc and ceruloplasmin with PCV and also between serum iron level and parasitemia (p<0.05). Results obtained from measurement of biochemical parameters in serum suggested that reduction of serum zinc and copper may be one of the possible reasons of immunosuppression and incidence of secondary infections in cattle with theileriosis. Therefore use of these trace elements, especially zinc in treatment protocol of infected cattle may be beneficial.