title: Comparative Analysis of Serum Mineral Levels and Parasite Load in Goats Naturally Infected with Gastrointestinal Nematodes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum mineral levels and parasite load in Saanen (n=37) and Damascus (n=13) goats, which were all approximately 2 months pregnant and naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine parasite concentration individually, fecal samples were taken from each goat, and the eggs per gram (EPG) of feces was detected via a modified McMaster technique. To investigate the possible effects of parasite concentration on serum mineral levels, blood was drawn from the goats and serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, nickel, and cadmium levels were measured via the ICP-OES technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a correlation analysis of the individual EPG values and mineral levels performed on the basis of the species, it was seen that increased egg numbers did not cause a statistically significant increase or decrease in Saanens except for cadmium (significant moderate positive correlation, p<0.05) for both species. A comparison of the mineral element levels with the lower and upper normal limits in the published literature found that manganese and iron were below the normal range, while zinc and calcium levels were close to the lower limits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is estimated that the effect of parasite load, which continuously increases with the progression of pregnancy and deliveries, on blood mineral levels would be much more significant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Adnan Menderes University School of Veterinary, Aydın, Turkey. suleymanaypak@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Serap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ünübol Aypak
authors.forename: Süleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aypak
authors.forename: Hüseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Voyvoda
authors.forename: Gülşen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Güven
authors.forename: Evrim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dereli Fidan
authors.forename: Gamze
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tosun
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gültekin
authors.forename: Emrah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Şimşek
authors.forename: Asude
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gülçe Güler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology*; D006041:Goats; D008903:Minerals / Q000097:blood*; D009348:Nematoda / Q000502:physiology*; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D059208:Parasite Load; D011247:Pregnancy; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals