WOOL COMPOSITION CENTILE PARAMETERS AND DETECTING CATTLE ELEMENTOSIS

Abstract

Elemental composition of cattle hair (n=891) was studied. The values of 10, 25, 75 and 90 centiles of concentration of chemical elements in the cattle hair were defined for the first time according to 19 chemical elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Cr, K, Na, P, Zn, I, V, Co, Se, B, Si, Sr). Developing methods to identify elementosis of cattle, thee were studies on model cows of Kazakh white-headed breed fed with the diets supplemented with wheat distiller’s grain. It was found that after six months of feeding with the diet supplemented with wheat distiller’ grain (40 l/head) without additional inclusion of limited essential elements, the composition of hair had significant changes. A comparison of data with the values of 25 and 75 centile revealed the occurrence of diselementosis previously described in the literature. Hypoelementosis was revealed according to calcium, iodine and boron; it is attested by a decrease in the content of these elements below 25 centile of the proposed regulations. The analysis of concentration dynamics of elements exceeding the value of 75 centile including phosphorus, chromium, copper.