چکیده (انگلیسی):

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the trace mineral concentrations
(Mg, Se, Zn, Cu and Fe) in amniotic fluid (AF) in 40 pregnancy toxemia Ghezel ewes at
the time of parturition phase and its association with placental traits.
Methods: Animals were treated with controlled internal drug release for 14 d and
injected 400 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin at the time of controlled internal drug
release removal. After the detection of estrus by use of teaser rams, ewes were handmated.
Ewes were classified as having subclinical pregnancy toxemia on the basis of
beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHBA) results (BHBA > 0.86 mmol/L).
Results: The overall mean AF traces of mineral concentrations were 3.13 ng/mL,
22.1 mg/dL, 134.7 mg/dL, 122.5 mg/dL and 166.6 mg/dL, respectively. There was a significant
positive correlation between placental efficiency and Zn concentration in AF
ewes (r = 0.633, P < 0.01), while the relationship was significantly negative between total
volume of amniotic fluid and Fe concentration in AF ewes (r = −0.717, P < 0.01). In this
research, no relationship between Se, Mg and Cu trace minerals was observed in AF ewes
with placental traits ewes. Results of laboratory analyses demonstrated no relationship
between BHBA concentrations and placental traits (P > 0.01), except for placental weight
(r = 0.808, P < 0.01). Also, no significant correlation was detected between BHBA with
the above trace minerals.
Conclusions: Overall, determinations of these trace minerals in the AF ewes could have
been used to obtain information on nutritional and reproductive status for the diagnosis of
pregnancy toxemia in Ghezel ewes.