Trace element concentrations in perinatal beef calves from west central Nebraska
Johnson, J.L.; Schneider, N.R.; Carlson, M.P.; Slanker, M.R.
Veterinary and Human Toxicology 31(6): 521-524
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-6296 PMID: 2617831 Document Number: 330650
Trace element analyses were performed on 144 livers from perinatal calves from herds in west-central Nebraska and ranging in age from 8 months of gestation up to 6-week-old neonates. Calves were divided into 5 categories based on objective gross examination and ocular fluid evaluation: abomasal ulcers, abomasal tympany, diarrhoea, stillborn and excessive nitrate exposure. Excessive Zn concentrations were found in 4 of the 5 categories. Only in the abomasal ulcer category could a correlation be found; this category routinely was found to have deficient to low normal liver Cu concentrations and highest liver Mo concentrations. Both excesses and deficiencies of Se and Fe occurred in all categories.