Serum Iron, Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Neonatal Lambs Naturally Infected with Cryptosporidium parvum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentration of iron, copper and zinc in neonatal lambs naturally infected with Cryptosporidium parvum, and to determine the relations between these trace elements and the clinical severity of the disease. For this purpose, neonatal lambs infected with Cryptosporidium parvum (n=27) and healthy control lambs (n=10) were evaluated. Faecal consistency, willingness to rise, stance when up, appetite, attitude, and hydration status were scored within the scope of clinical examination in infected lambs. Thus, clinical health scores were calculated for each lamb to quantify the clinical severity of the disease. Iron, copper and zinc concentrations were measured from serum samples of lambs in both groups. Compared to the healthy control lambs, serum iron and zinc concentrations were significantly lower in infected lambs (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), while there was no difference between the two groups in terms of serum copper concentrations. Additionally, a significant negative correlation (r=-0.60; p<0.001) was observed between serum zinc concentration and clinical health score, whereas the serum iron (r= -0.359; p= 0.066) and copper (r=0.322; p = 0.102) concentrations did not significantly correlate with clinical health score. In conclusion, the obtained results of the study provide valuable information about trace elements status in lambs with cryptosporidiosis.