Effect Of Age On Minerals Level Milk And Serum Of Camel

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age on milk and serum concentrations of iron,copper, magnesium and iodine and the activity of the plasma Cerulopasmin enzyme in she camel. Thirty tree ranging animals belonging to the Elrashida tribe in Kassala state of eastern Sudan were used. The animals were divided into three groups A,B and C according to their age, 9, 12 and 14 years respectively. The data obtained revealed that highly significant (P<0.01) decrease in milk Fe, also significant (P<0.05) in milk Cu, Mg concentration were observed in older animals (group C) when compared with the two other groups (A and B). No significant differences were noticed in the iodine level in the milk between the three groups. Ash contents of milk showed no significant differences among three groups. Significant decreases (P<0.05) were demonstrated in plasma Fe, Cu, and Mg levels in group C when compared with groups A and B. Also significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma Caeruloplasmin activity in group C was demonstrated when compared with the two other groups.