Seasonal evaluation of serum copper level of sheep and status of copper, molybdenum, sulfur and iron in soil and pastures in Yasuj town

The aim of this study was determined levels of copper concentration in the blood serum of sheep and the amount of copper, molybdenum, iron and sulfur in plants and the amount of copper, molybdenum and iron in soils of pastures of Yasuj city. The blood samples of 50 sheep were collected from 5 different herd of the Yasuj from 2011 to 2012 in each season (200 samples totally). The results showed that the mean serum copper in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, 1.21, 1.91, 1.72 and 1.27 micrograms per/ml liter. Average copper, molybdenum and iron in the soil sampled, respectively, 24.2, 0.735 and 21065 mg/kg in spring, 25.5, 0.85 and 23891 mg/kg in summer, 17.4, 1.973 and 17555 mg/kg in fall and 28.8, 1.225 and 24350 mg/kg in winter. Average amount of copper, molybdenum and iron in plants were 5.5, 0.265 and 777 mg/kg in spring, 5, 0.085, 1327 mg/kg in summer, 5.6, 0.155 and 1365 mg/kg in fall and 6.5, 0.765 and 1141 mg/kg in winter respectively. The sulfur concentration of pastures was 480 mg/kg. The results of this study showed that there was not copper deficiency in the region.