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

The 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 μg/dl, 370 μg/dl, 181.4 μg/dl and 0.10 μg/ml, respectly. the corresponding values for anoestrus animals were 62.23 μg/dl, 358.13 μg/dl, 164.07 μg/dl and 0.07 μg/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.