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Veterinary world2017; 10(10); 1269-1274; doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.1269-1274

Biochemical analysis of some serum trace elements in donkeys and horses in Eastern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract: Little is known about the serum levels of trace elements in donkeys and horses in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to investigate the levels of some trace elements in these two species in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia and to compare the obtained results with the reference values. Methods: Seventeen Arabian horses and twenty eight Hassawi donkeys were randomly selected for this study. All of the studied healthy animals were kept under a uniform feeding protocol without any minerals supplementations. Atomic absorption spectrometer is used to estimate the serum concentrations of selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in the analyzed samples. Results: Significant differences between horses and donkeys were observed in three of the studied elements (Se, Mn, and Cr). Statistically significant differences were found in serum Se and Cr between male and female horses. The male donkey showed higher Mn, Cu, and Zn levels than female animals. Conclusions: The obtained results of trace element levels in serum of Hassawi donkeys and Arabian horses in Saudi Arabia are considered as the first values to be published for these breeds. When compared to other animals, the measured amounts of Se, Mn, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the serum of horses and donkey are often differed, possibly because of the varying living or feeding conditions. Moreover, there were some differences in some of the trace elements concentrations related to animal's gender and species (horses and donkeys), which will be considered in the interpretation of the laboratory data.
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Publication Date: 2017-10-25 PubMed ID: 29184375PubMed Central: PMC5682274DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.1269-1274Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper investigates the levels of certain trace elements in the blood of Arabian horses and Hassawi donkeys in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, expanding our limited knowledge on this topic. The study also examined how these levels differ by species and gender, providing the first published data for these breeds.

Methods

  • The study was conducted on seventeen Arabian horses and twenty-eight Hassawi donkeys chosen randomly in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia.
  • These animals were healthy, and they all fed on the same diet, without any additional mineral supplements.
  • The researchers used an atomic absorption spectrometer, a device used to determine the concentration of certain metal ions, to measure the serum concentrations of six trace elements – Selenium (Se), Manganese (Mn), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn).

Results

  • The researchers found significant differences between Arabian horses and Hassawi donkeys in the levels of three trace elements – Selenium (Se), Manganese (Mn), and Chromium (Cr).
  • There were also significant gender-based differences observed in some elements; male horses had different levels of selenium and chromium compared to female horses, and male donkeys showed higher levels of manganese, copper, and zinc compared to female donkeys.

Conclusions

  • The study provided first-of-its-kind findings regarding nutrient levels in the serum of Hassawi donkeys and Arabian horses in Saudi Arabia.
  • The divergence in trace element concentrations between horses and donkeys, as well as between males and females of the same species, can possibly be attributed to differences in living or feeding conditions.
  • These variations should be considered when interpreting laboratory data on these animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Shawaf T, Almathen F, Meligy A, El-Deeb W, Al-Bulushi S. (2017). Biochemical analysis of some serum trace elements in donkeys and horses in Eastern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Vet World, 10(10), 1269-1274. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2017.1269-1274

Publication

Veterinary world
ISSN: 0972-8988
NlmUniqueID: 101504872
Country: India
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 10
Pages: 1269-1274

Researcher Affiliations

Shawaf, Turke
  • Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, 400 Al-Hasa, 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Almathen, Faisal
  • Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Husbandry, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, 400 Al-Hasa, 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Meligy, Ahmad
  • Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, 400 Al-Hasa, 31982, Saudi Arabia.
  • Department of Physiology, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt.
El-Deeb, Wael
  • Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, 400 Al-Hasa, 31982, Saudi Arabia.
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Al-Bulushi, Shahab
  • Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, 400 Al-Hasa, 31982, Saudi Arabia.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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