Determination of levels of some essential (iron, copper, zinc) and toxic (lead, cadmium) metals in the blood of sheep and in samples of water, plants and soil in Northwest Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to determine the levels of trace elements (zinc, iron, copper), as well as of lead and cadmium, in both the soil and in organism in order to obtain more efficient economical results and healthier sheep breeds in Northwest Turkey. Based on the results of these analyses, we plan to make suggestions to veterinarians and sheep breeders in that region on how to improve their performance. The study was carried out on 400 sheep from different sites in Northwest Turkey and included the collection of water (n = 5), plant (n = 5) and soil (n = 5) samples from every district. When serum parameters were examined an important decrease in iron levels was found in the 8th, 9th and 10th districts, while the lowest zinc levels were found in the 1st and 7th districts, the lowest copper levels in the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th districts, the highest lead levels in the 9th and 10th districts, and the highest cadmium levels in the 2nd, 5th and 6th districts. Analyses of water, plant and soil samples showed significant differences in zinc and copper levels between districts. High levels of lead were detected in water and plant samples. We are of the opinion that important improvements will be obtained in the treatment and control of diseases due to deficiency of trace elements and of parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases due to related systems affected by such deficiencies if these results are appropriately communicated to animal breeders and veterinary surgeons operating in the regions in question.