Serum zinc values in Japanese Black calves with respiratory symptoms

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine serum zinc levels in Japanese Black steers with respiratory symptoms at a commercial farm in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Ten Japanese Black calves with respiratory symptoms （RS group; rectal temperature of ≥ 39.7℃ accompanied by nasal discharge and coughing）, and 10 clinically healthy calves （control group） were used in this study. The mean concentration of serum zinc in the RS group was significantly lower than that in the control group （p<0.01）. Lower serum zinc values in calves with respiratory symptoms might suggest the consumption of zinc during the inflammatory process.