Abstract
This paper describes the relationship of trace and ultra-trace minerals with the gastrointestinal (GI) helminth burden in rangeland sheep reared in district Chakwal, Pakistan. A total of 384 sheep were randomly subjected to collect sera and fecal samples during autumn, 2014. Trace and ultra-trace minerals were determined through different spectrophotometric techniques after wet digestion of sera. Fecal examination revealed a variety of helminth parasites viz., Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia trifurcata, Trichostrongylus spp., Sfrongyloides papillosus, Marshallagia marshalli, Avitellina centnpunctata, Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica harbored by the study population. The mean serum levels of copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and selenium (Se) were within the normal ranges. However, mean zinc (Zn) level was marginally deficient while, manganese (Mn) and cobalt (Co) levels were higher than the normal ranges. The mean serum Zn, Mo and Se concentrations in sheep varied insignificantly (P>0.05). Whereas, a significant variation (P<0.05) in the levels of Cu, Mn and Co was observed in sheep flocks. The quantitative fecal analysis of sheep revealed lower to moderate egg per gram (EPG) range. Pearson correlation demonstrated a non-significant (p>0.05) correlation of trace and ultra-trace minerals with EPG magnitude in naturally parasitized sheep of the study area. In conclusion, trace and ultra-trace mineral levels in naturally infected sheep flocks exhibited no significant role in reducing GI parasitic burden. (C) 2017 Friends Science Publishers