Serum and tissue trace elements in Iranian camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Regional and Seasonal Variability of Mineral Patterns in Some Organs of Slaughtered One-Humped Camels [Camelus dromedarius] from Saudi Arabia

Camel products are receiving great interest worldwide because of their high functional properties and nutritive values. Therefore, this study was focused on the variation of copper [Cu], zinc [Zn], manganese [Mn], selenium [Se], iron [Fe], iodine [I], and some heavy metals, cobalt [Co], lead [Pb], and cadmium [Cd], in the blood and tissues of slaughtered camels from five regions in Saudi Arabia [SA] during the summer and winter seasons, because environmental factors vary from region to region. Whole blood, meat, liver, rumen fluid, and rumen tissues were collected from the slaughterhouse in each region during the two seasons. Moreover, samples were prepared and analyzed for trace mineral and heavy metal concentrations using ICP-MS. The data were statistically analyzed as part of a complete randomized design and correlation analysis for season and location using SAS. The findings revealed a pattern in the minerals, with Ca being the only mineral that was unrelated to other minerals in the liver. For lead and cadmium, our mean value in liver [0.40 µg/g] was below the limit of the EU standard for cadmium [0.50 µg/g], while in meat and liver, lead contents [1.62 µg/g and 2.57 µg/g, respectively] were above the limit of the EU standard [0.10 and 0.20 µg/g, respectively]. For meat, the significantly highest positive correlations were observed between P and Mg [R² = 0.928], Fe and Mn [R² = 0.860], and Co and Mn [R² = 0.821]. For rumen tissues, P and Mg were highly correlated [R² = 0.958] as well as Zn and Mg [R² = 0.857], Zn and P [R² = 0.836], and Fe and Ca [R² = 0.802]. As a result, a region and season reflect variations in mineral concentrations in SA during the summer and winter seasons. Further intensive research is needed to investigate the minerals' biological mechanisms in camels under different environmental conditions.

Blood Trace Element Status in Camels: A Review

Trace minerals play an important role in animal health and productivity. They are involved also in many physiological activities, and their deficiency causes a variety of pathological problems and metabolic defects, reducing consequently the animal productivity. The demand for animal products in semi-arid areas is rapidly increasing, and the supply is still below the required level, partially due to low animal productivity. Camels (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) are considered one of the main sources of healthy, high-quality meat and milk for human consumption within most of the countries in the semi-arid regions. Despite their efficient adaptation to their environment, camels can suffer from the growth retardation of newborns, low feed efficiency, anemia, poor fertility, poor reproduction and many other metabolic disorders. It is well known that trace mineral deficiencies and trace mineral toxicities can influence camels' production and reproductive efficiency, as well as many aspects of their growth and metabolism. Evaluating the trace minerals status of camels and their variability is an obvious step toward improving camels' productivity and health. Thus, the present article reviews the data regarding the status of trace minerals (copper, zinc, iron, selenium, manganese, cobalt, iodine, fluorine, molybdenum, sulfur, bromide and nickel) in camel blood and their physiological variability, with a focus on their deficiency and toxicity effects.

Changes in ghrelin, microminerals, antioxidants and vitamins A, E and C levels during different physiological status in high yielding Saanen goats subjected to heat stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of ghrelin, microminerals, antioxidants, and vitamins A, E and C levels during different metabolic periods in high yielding Saanen goats subjected to heat stress. Twenty clinically and paraclinically healthy, high yielding and multiparous goats with an average age of 3 ± 0.5 years and pregnant with a single fetus were included in this study. Sampling was performed at three different physiologic periods: non-pregnancy non-lactation (P₁), four-month gestation (P₂), and first month of lactation (P₃). In this study, the ambient temperature ranged from 19 to 42 °C and relative humidity ranged from 14 to 19% during the hot months. Serum concentrations of ghrelin, glucose (Glu), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), vitamins (A, E and C) and microminerals (selenium, manganese, cobalt, iron, copper and zinc) were measured. Mean raw milk yield of the goats per day at the first month of lactation was 2.34 ± 0.2 kg. Concentration of ghrelin at P₁ was significantly lower than P₂ and P₃ (P < 0.05). Glucose levels were significantly lower at P₃ compared with P₁ and P₂ (P < 0.05). There were no significant correlations between ghrelin and Glu at different periods. Concentrations of selenium and manganese were significantly higher at P3 compared with P2 and were significantly higher at P2 compared with P1. Values of copper at P2 were significantly higher than P1 and P3 (P < 0.05). Zinc levels were significantly higher at P₁ compared with P₂ and P₃ (P < 0.05). Values of antioxidants and vitamins were significantly lower at P3 compared with P2. It is concluded that high yielding Saanen goats may suffer from hormonal and metabolic disturbances, oxidative stress and micromineral deficiencies during late gestation and the first month of lactation especially when they are subjected to heat stress.

Copper, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Cobalt, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chrome, and Lead Concentrations in Liver and Muscle in Iranian Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Camel meat as healthy food has received much attention for human consumption. In the present study, liver and muscle from 60 camels (Camelus dromedarius) including 26 males and 34 females were sampled to determine the concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Co using the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Based on the obtained results, the average content of essential or toxic elements in the liver and muscle was as follows: 111.2 ± 26.51, 38.57 ± 7.97 (Zn), 3.28 ± 0.79, 2.12 ± 0.49 (Cu), 76.98 ± 14.20, 59.34 ± 11.81 (Fe), 0.87 ± 0.22, 0.48 ± 0.12 (Mn), 0.52 ± 0.27, 0.03 ± 0.01 (Co), ND ± 0.008, 0.012 ± 0.008 (Cd), 7.06 ± 1.58, 3.90 ± 0.86 (Cr), 0.85 ± 0.043, and 0.18 ± 0.02, and 1.12 ± 0.21 (As) mg kg^-1. Pb concentration was lower than the detection limit (ND). The results showed that the liver concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Co, and Cr were significantly higher than those in the muscle. The association of sex, age, region, and sampling period, with a concentration of these elements, revealed that concentration of zinc in the liver and cobalt in the muscle were significantly higher in the male. Also, significantly higher cobalt and zinc concentrations in muscle were seen in the first 6 months of the year. Age-related differences in muscle concentrations were observed for cobalt. The concentration of trace elements and heavy metals in the liver and muscle samples were not correlated. Comparison of heavy metals concentration in both tissues with European Commission regulation showed that except Cd, the other heavy metals had a higher level than the EU standard. The results of this study showed that camel meat can be contaminated with heavy metals, but more investigations are needed.

Copper, zinc, and iron concentrations in blood serum and diet of dairy cattle on semi-industrial farms in central Iran

The aim of this study was to evaluate the blood serum and diet concentrations of copper, zinc, and iron in Holstein dairy cattle kept under semi-industrial farming in Isfahan province, central Iran. Moreover, the effects of season, pregnancy, and daily milk yield on serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations were also evaluated. The study was carried out on 12 semi-industrial Holstein dairy cattle farms. A total of 120 blood serum samples (60 in each season) and 24 diet samples (12 in each season) were collected in the summer and winter. The Cu, Fe, and Zn contents were assessed in samples using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In the summer, the mean concentrations of Cu and Fe in serum samples were lower and higher than the critical level, respectively (P < 0.05). In total diet samples, the mean concentrations of Zn were significantly higher than critical level (P < 0.05). In summer, winter, and total diet samples, the mean concentrations of Fe were significantly higher than critical level (P < 0.05). The serum Cu and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in the winter than those determined in the summer (P < 0.05). The serum Cu concentrations were significantly higher in nonpregnant than those in pregnant dairy cattle (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of dairy cattle in different daily milk yield groups. It can be concluded that Holstein dairy cattle reared under semi-industrial dairy farming were deficient in serum Cu concentrations, especially in summer. Further, high level of Fe in blood serum might be due to feeding of cattle with diet containing excess quantity of Fe.