Serum electrolyte and mineral variations during pregnancy and lactation in Nili-Ravi buffalo.
The aim of present study was to determine the changes of sodium, potassium, chloride, copper, and zinc in serum of Nili-Ravi buffalo during pregnancy and lactation. The study was carried out on 25 Nili-Ravi buffaloes during March 2008 to February 2009 at Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki, District Kasur. Blood samples were taken from each buffalo during early pregnancy (Phase EP), i.e., between 1 and 3 months gestation, mid pregnancy (Phase MP), i.e., between 4 and 6 months gestation, late pregnancy (Phase LP), i.e., between 7 and 10 months gestation, and during lactation (Phase LT). Serum sodium, potassium, and chloride were determined on a clinical chemistry analyzer whereas copper and zinc were determined on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean serum sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations varied non-significantly (P > 0.05) during pregnancy and lactation. With advancing pregnancy, copper increased and was significantly high (P < 0.05) during late pregnancy whereas during lactation copper concentrations dropped significantly (P < 0.05). The zinc concentrations increased non-significantly during early and mid pregnancy. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in zinc concentrations during lactation compared with late pregnancy. This study demonstrates that concentrations of serum sodium, potassium, and chloride remain unchanged during pregnancy and lactation whereas serum copper concentrations increased and zinc concentrations decreased with advancing pregnancy because of the demand of the fetus at different periods of pregnancy.
Akhtar
M Saleem
MS
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. drsaleem45@hotmail.com
Farooq
Abdul Asim
AA
Muhammad
Syed Aun
SA
Lodhi
Laeeq Akbar
LA
Hayat
C Sikandar
CS
Aziz
M Mushtaq
MM
D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood*; D008670:Metals / Q000097:blood*; D008903:Minerals / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology*
D008670:Metals; D008903:Minerals