Serum Mineral Levels and Haematobiochemical Parameters in Buffalo Calves with Allotriophagy (Pica Syndrome)

Pica is defined as a depraved or abnormal appetite characterized by licking and eating non-nutritive substances. The aim of this study was to report changes in the serum mineral levels and haematobiochemical parameters of buffalo calves with pica. The study included 30 buffalo calves exhibiting pica behaviour, such as licking stall walls or eating wool and non-food items (pica group), and 6 buffalo calves without the signs of pica behaviour (control group). The age of both groups ranged between 1 and 6 months. In the pica group, the haematological analysis revealed a decrease in red blood cells (P < 0.001) and red cell distribution width (P < 0.05) as well as an increase in the mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (P < 0.001), whereas the biochemical parameters were characterized by an increase in aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.01), alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001) and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.05) levels and a decrease in creatinine and glucose (P < 0.01) levels. Furthermore, the pica group showed a significant decrease in serum manganese, iron, zinc, selenium (P < 0.001) and copper (P < 0.01) concentrations. In conclusion, it was determined that deficiencies in the levels of serum iron, copper, zinc, manganese and selenium play an important role in the aetiology of pica in buffalo calves.