Macromineral status of grazing sheep in a semi-arid region of Pakistan

The present study was conducted to evaluate seasonal and animal class effects on the macromineral status of lactating and non-lactating (female) classes of grazing Thalli sheep in a semi-arid region of the south western Punjab, Pakistan, on the basis of mineral concentrations in blood plasma. There were 20 animals in each class. Plasma Ca, Na, and K in both classes of sheep showed effects of season (P < 0.05), animal class (P < 0.001), and interaction by season and animal class (P < 0.01) whereas, plasma Mg showed only interaction effect between season and animal class (P < 0.05). Moderately deficient levels (60–80% plasma samples were below the normal range) were found for sheep at this age and weight for Ca during winter and of K and Na during summer. In contrast, levels of Ca in summer, that of Na and K during winter, and of Mg during both seasons, were marginally deficient (80–100% plasma samples were below the normal range) in lactating sheep. While in non-lactating sheep moderately deficient levels of Ca in winter, Na in summer, and marginally deficient levels of K and Mg during both seasons were found on the basis of critical levels of these macrominerals in plasma. Overall macromineral status of these sheep based on plasma concentrations may be considered deficient. From these blood analyses, it was concluded that macromineral status of sheep on this specific ranch in Punjab needs supplementation of macrominerals with the implication of similar needs for other regions of Pakistan.