Serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentration in relation to super ovulatory response in embryo donor (Sahiwal) and conception rate in embryo recipient (crossbred) cattle

Abstract

Serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels were measured in embryo donor (Sahiwal) and embryo recipient (crossbred) cows in relation to super ovulatory responsy/and conception rate respectively. Sahiwal cattle (19) were super ovulated with equine and porcine follicle stimulating. hormone and they were divided into 3 groups on thc basis of super ovulatory response (good, fair and non responders). The levels of coppcr and zinc in serum were higher in the animals, which had responded well to the gonadotrophin treatment in comparison to those responded fair and did not responded at all. The levels of copper ranged from 1.42±0.17ppm to 2.15±0.11 ppm, 1.23±0.04 to 1.53 ±0.08 ppm and 1.3 6±0.10 to 1. 75±0.13 ppm in good, fair and non responder animals, whereas, the levels of zinc (Zn) ranged between 2.38±0.18 to 2.83±0.22 ppm, 2.00±0.07 to 2.82±0.27 and 1.79±0.24 to 2.82±0.11 ppm in good, fair and non responder respectively. The animals, which conceived, had higher levels of copper in comparison to those, which did not become pregnant. The levels in pregnant animals varied from 1.98±0.16 ppm to 2.35±0.15 ppm, whereas in non-pregnant animals it varied from 1.73±0.13 to 2.23±0.13 ppm. The level of variation in the zinc among different days of pregnancy were not significant but variation in groups (pregnant and non-pregnant) was significant (P<0.01).