THE DETERMINATION OF SERUM COPPER AND ZINC CONCENTRATIONS IN THOROUGHBRED FOALS AND THEIR DAMS AFTER PARTURITION

Abstract

Serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in 5-35 thoroughbred foals and their dams
during first 24 weeks after parturition were determined. Mean serum Cu in foals increased
significantly (p < 0.01) with age, from 10.4±1.1 μmol/l at week 1 to 25.9±0.8 μmol/l at week 24, whereas those in mares decreased significantly p < 0.05, from 26.2±1.3 μmol/l at week 1 to 22.0±0.5 μmol/l at week 24 after parturition. There was a large negative correlation between the mean serum Cu concentrations in foals and their dams (r = -0.86, p < 0.01). Serum Zn concentrations in both foals and mares on the other hand, gradually decreased after parturition, ranging from and 17.7±0.3 μmol/l at week-1 to 13.8±0.5 μmol/l at week 24, in foals and from 16.2±1.2 μmol/l at week 1 to 14.4±0.5 μmol/l at week 24 in mares. The correlation coefficient between the mean serum Zn concentrations in foals and their mares was high (r = 0.895, p < 0.01).