Serum Minerals Profile At Different Intervals Postpartum In Surti Buffaloes Retaining And Not Retaining Their Fetal Membranes

A study was made to compare serum minerals profile between healthy normal parturient buffaloes (Control, n=15) and buffaloes affected with retained fetal membranes (RFM) following abortion (RFM/AA, n=10) or parturition (RFM/AP, n=12). The serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium and trace minerals levels were estimated on day 0, 30 and 45 of calving. The pooled mean serum calcium level observed in control group was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that obtained in RFM/AP and RFM/AA groups. Serum levels of none of the other macro-micro minerals studied varied significantly between groups. The calcium level at day 45 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that observed on day 0, but did not differ significantly from that recorded on day 30. The pooled serum inorganic phosphorus level on day 45 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that observed on day 30 and 0, and the latter two also differed significantly (P<0.05). However, the group and period effect was found non-significant for serum magnesium and Ca:P ratio. The evaluation of serum micro-minerals revealed that the pooled mean serum zinc level was significantly (P<0.05) higher on day 45 than that observed on day 30 and 0. The pooled mean serum manganese level on day 0 was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that observed on day 30 and 45. However, no significant difference was observed in mean serum iron and copper contents among groups and periods studied. Though the minerals profile in RFM groups was not much different from control group, it significantly deteriorated the breeding efficiency of buffaloes by increasing the service period and number of services per conception in affected animals.