European Journal of Zoological Research
Abstract
Author(s): Poya Alizadeh Rad, Ali Hassanpour and Mashayekhi M.
Strangles disease which was caused by Streptococcusequi is one of the common infectious diseases among horses
that annually affect many horses in different regions. Role of elements such as zinc, copper and selenium in the
immune system and antioxidant activity in horses has been distinctly determined. The objective of this study was to
evaluate the serum profile of zinc, copper, ceruloplasmin and selenium in horses with Strangles and to compare
these values with healthy horses. 21 horses with Strangles based on clinical signs and laboratory-based experiments
(culture from respiratory secretions and fluids draining lymph nodes) was identified from horse clubs around
Tabriz-Iran and after taking a complete history of each horse, blood samples were obtained from jugular vein and
after clotting, serum was separated. Simultaneously, blood samples of 18 healthy horses were taken. Mean
concentrations of zinc of serum in Strangles affected horses were significantly lesser than control group (P=0.001).
mean concentrations of copper and ceruloplasmin of serum of Strangles affected horses were more than healthy
horses, this increase was NOT significant in the case of copper but was significant in the case of
ceruloplasmin(P=0.547 and P=0.002, respectively).Mean concentrations of selenium was similar to zinc and
suggested significant decrease in horses with Strangles (P=0.003). In the group of sick horses we observed increase
in serum copper with increase in ceruloplasmin and this correlation was significant (P=0.002 and r=0.938) but, in
the group of healthy horses this increase was NOT significant. Mean of any of the measured parameters between the
different age groups showed no significant difference in the patient group and there was not any correlation
between age of sick horses and mean concentrations of above elements. The eventual result is that in horses with
Strangles mean serum values of zinc and selenium is reduced and ceruloplasmin as a inflammatory factor is
amplificated and in treatment of these animals injection of supplemental components with zinc and selenium is
recommended.
