Studies on Nutritional Deficiency in Cows in El-Behera Province

In a 2018 study of 38 mixed breed cows in El-Behera province, researchers found that nutritional deficiencies significantly impacted cow health, with 34% experiencing alopecia, 50% ill-thrift, and 16% infertility. The cows showed clinical signs such as poor appetite and reduced milk production, linked to deficiencies in copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. These deficiencies were associated with reproductive issues and poor performance, exacerbated by parasitic infections. The study concluded that blood levels of these minerals correlated with overall health, coat condition, fertility, and productivity, highlighting hemoglobin reduction as an early indicator of iron deficiency. However, data on hematological changes from zinc deficiency were limited.