Studies on nutritional deficiency in cows in El-Behera province

Abstract

Thirty eight mixed breed cows, 3-7 years old suffered from alopecia (34%), ill-thrift (50%) and infertility (16%) and seven apparently healthy cows were selected from different villages at El-Behera province in autumn 2018. All cows were subjected to clinical and laboratory examination. Poor appetite, reduced milk production and pale conjunctival mucous membranes were recorded in diseased cows. Rough and shed coat and brownish discoloration of black hair were observed in some cows. Decreased ruminal motility, poor performance, anestrum, delayed estrus and repeat breeding were also diagnosed. Gray-blackish, semisolid-pasty feces, containing undigestible food fibers are common. Mild-moderate nematode (83%), Fasciola (15%) and Paramphistoma (2%) eggs were recorded. Serum biochemical results showed significant decrease in the mean values of copper, zinc, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium in cows with alopecia, ill-thrift and infertility. Hematological studies showed significant decrease of RBCs, Hb, PCV, MCV and MCH in all diseased cows. Moderate microcytic, hypochromic anemia is recorded