Seasonal variation of Ca, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and Se contents in Tibetan pigs Qiu Gang1,2, Rui Yapei1, Rehman Mujeeb Ur2, Huang Shucheng2, Li Kun2, Liu Suozhu1, Jiakui Li1,2,* Department of Animal Science, XiZang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Linzhi-860000, People's Republic of China 1Department of animal science, XiZang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Linzhi-860000, People's Republic of China 2College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan-430070, People's Republic of China *Corresponding author's e-mail and address: lijk210@sina.com, XiZang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Linzhi-860000, People's Republic of China
Online published on 30 August, 2019. Abstract The aim of this study was to detect the levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) in the Tibetan pigs (>6-months-old) in Nyingchi Region (Tibet Autonomous region, P.R. China) in 2016, to discover abnormalcontentsof several macro-andmicroelements of Tibetanpigs. Liver tissue andwholeblood samples were analyzed for Ca, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and Se content by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The measured values were compared with reported values to discover any mineral imbalances of the Tibetan pigs. Whole blood and hepatic contents of calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc and selenium were significantly lower, and the phosphorus content significantly higher, than the reported values in pig bodies. The iron content in Tibetan pig liver in spring was as low as 235.50 ± 65.54 mg/kg and the phosphorus content as high as 1537.75 ± 194.07mg/kg; significant differences were found compared to other seasons (P < 0.05). The results indicate thatmineral deficiency and imbalancewas widespread in Tibetanpigs and there were seasonal effects. Top Keywords Deficiency, Imbalance, Macroelement, Micro element, Nyingchi, Tibetan pig. Top |