Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture

Abstract

Liver samples from 163 slaughtered animals were studied to provide data regarding normal hepatic Copper (Cu) concentration, and Iron (Fe). Results show the mean and median liver Cu concentration in majority samples were normal. Lambs had higher (P<0.05) liver Cu concentration (499) compared to yearling (353), cattle (321), and sheep 200 mg /kg respectively. Cases of being at risk with Cu-toxicity were shown in 2 lambs (1797 and 2449), 1 yearling (1546), and 1 cattle) 1525 mg/kg respectively. sheep did not exhibit a high liver Cu concentration, while a six yearling, an eight sheep, and fourteen cattle revealed marginal hepatic Cu concentration. Moreover, five sheep and six cattle cases showed low hepatic Cu concentration. In addition to that the lambs and yearling cases did not reached hepatic Cu deficiency. Hepatic Fe concentration in sheep was higher (P<0.05) compared to lamb, yearling, and cattle, with the mean concentration of 2047, 1962, 1954, 1925 mg Fe/kg respectively. All sheep liver samples, with 33 yearling sample, and 46 lambs liver samples contained liver Fe concentrations exceeded toxic level (2450 mg/kg). While, one liver sample in cattle contained (3214 mg/kg), exceeding toxic level. There were 14 lambs and 14 yearlings, with 12 and 13 liver samples contained greater than 2000 mg of Fe/kg. In conclusion, hepatic Cu content in the majority of examined sample were normal. Though, high and low levels of Cu were also observed. The low hepatic Cu level might be related to the high hepatic Fe concentration.