Status of micro-minerals, hormone and vitamin profile in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of Agra region of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The study was conducted in Agra, Aligarh, Hathras and Mathura districts of Agra region of Uttar Pradesh. Marked deficiency of zinc; marginal deficiency of copper and cobalt was found in soil that reflected in fodder and buffaloes of this region. The average concentration (ppm) of copper was 1.66±0.20 (soil) and 11.94±1.05 (fodder) and that of cobalt was 0.40±0.02 (soil) and 0.27±0.05 (fodder). The average concentration of zinc was 1.14±0.05 (soil) and 28.68±1.73 (fodder).The average concentration of iron was adequate in both soil and fodder, viz., 45.02±4.71 and 301.33±16.50 respectively. The buffaloes of Agra region were marginally deficient in copper, cobalt; highly deficient in zinc and adequate in iron. The mean values (ppm) of serum copper in pregnant, non-pregnant, heifer and calf of Agra region were 0.667±0.023, 0.718±0.037,0.723±0.022, and 0.650±0.028 respectively. The mean concentration (ppm) ofserum zinc in pregnant buffaloes (1.272±0.091) was lower than non-pregnant (1.598±0.197), heifer (1.591±O.185) and calf (1.817±0.174). The average concentration of serum iron (ppm) in pregnant (1.502±0.03), non-pregnant (1.77+0.066), heifer ( 1.745±0.080) and calf (2.66±0.144) was above the normal value. The average concentration of serum cobalt (ppm) in Agra region was 0.031±0.002 (pregnant), 0.047±0.004 (non-pregnant), 0.045±0.006 (heifer) and 0.020±0.003 (calf). Lower concentration of serum micro-minerals was associated with lower concentration of serum retinol(0.333±0.06 mg/ml) and a-tocopherol(2.075±0.392 mg/ml), which may also contribute to lower fertility associated with micro-minerals deficiency. The mean (±S.E) concentration of serum progesterone (ng/ml) in buffaloes of Agra region was 2.85±0.18 (pregnant), 0.65±0.05 (nonpregnant), 0.32±0.05 (heifer) and 0.03±0.02 (calf). The mean (± S.E) serum estrogen levels (pglml) in buffaloes of Agra region were 27.84±2.87 (pregnant), 12.04±0.85 (non-pregnant), 13.17±2.01 (heifer) and below 6.02 (calf). Lower values in the present finding may be attributed to lowered steroidogenesis associated with altered enzymatic activity due to Lower serum micro-minerdls concenlration in the buffaloes of Agra region.