Evaluation of Serum Zinc Levels in Cattle with Trichophytosis According to Extensiveness of Trichophytosis

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal relationship between the extensiveness of trichophytosis on the body and serum zinc levels in cattle. This study was carried out on 92 cattle with trichophytosis and 50 healthy ones. Serum zinc levels of healthy cattle were evaluated as control. The cattle with trichophytosis separated into 5 groups according to diffusiveness of the diseases. Experimental groups of this study were designed as follows; Group 1: up to 1 cm, Group 2: 1-5 cm, Group 3: 5-10 cm, Group 4: 10-20 cm and Group 5: widespread on the body. Serum zinc levels measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with flame system. In general, the mean level of Zn in trichophytosis groups (0.613±0.013 mg Zn/L) was statistically lower than healthy ones (0.900±0.017 mg Zn/L). A negative correlation was determined between the diffusiveness degree of trichophytosis and serum zinc levels (r = -0.772). Serum Zinc levels were statistically decreased from the control group to group 3. However, a stable course was observed from 3 to 5. Therefore, the value of group 3 (0.6 mgZn/L) was determined as a critical value for the cattle with trichophytosis. According to regression analysis results, it was observed that the extensiveness of the trichophytosis lesions affected the levels of serum Zn levels significantly (r2=59.6%). Consequently, serum zinc levels of cattle decreased in an inversely proportional manner to the diffusiveness degree of trichophytosis and stabilization was observed at the level of 0.6 mg Zn/L.