MINERAL STATUS IN FEMALE DOGS WITH MALIGNANT MAMMARY GLAND TUMORS FED WITH DIFFERENT HABITUAL DIETS

The present study estimated the level of some macro and micro minerals in female dogs with mammary gland tumors fed with different habitual diets. Female dogs bearing malignant mammary tumors were divided into two groups; group-I (n=12) fed only with balanced commercial diet and group-II (n=12) fed only with homemade diet. Ten physiologically healthy female dogs were taken as control. Trace elements viz. iron, copper, zinc and manganese were estimated in plasma and mammary tumor tissues. Calcium and phosphorus were exclusively estimated in plasma. Plasma concentrations of iron, copper and calcium were found to be significantly (p<0.05) elevated in homemade diet group as compared to control. However, the level of zinc, manganese and phosphorus in plasma of female dogs fed only with homemade diet was decreased (p<0.05) in comparison to control. The mammary gland tissue analysis of iron, copper, zinc and manganese has revealed that their level was found to be significantly (p<0.05) increased in mammary gland tumor tissues of both commercial and homemade diet group as compared to normal mammary tissues. The study concluded that, homemade diet significantly influence the plasma mineral status in the tumor bearing female dogs. However, mineral levels in mammary tumor tissues were altered irrespective of diet types.