SERUM CONCENTRATIONS OF COPPER, IRON, ZINC AND SELENIUM IN CYCLIC AND ANOESTRUS NILI-RAVI BUFFALOES KEPT UNDER FARM CONDITIONS

he present study was planned to determine serum micro-mineral status (copper, iron, zinc, selenium) in cyclic and anoestrus buffaloes during March to June, 2008. Serum micro-mineral contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean serum concentrations of copper, iron, zinc and selenium in cyclic buffaloes were 70.59 ^g/dl, 370 ^g/dl, 181.4 ^g/dl and 0.10 ^g/ml, respectly. The corresponding values for anoestrus animals were 62.23 ^g/dl, 358.13 ^g/dl, 164.07 ^g/dl and 0.07 ^g/ml. Compared with cyclic buffaloes, there were significantly lower serum copper, iron, zinc and selenium levels in anoestrus buffaloes (P<0.05). It was concluded that deficiencies of copper, iron, zinc and selenium either singly or in combination, could be responsible for anoestrus condition in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Thus, by improving the nutritional status, fertility can be improved in buffaloes