LAKSHMI RANI, N(MAJOR)Vaikunta Rao, VHARI KRISHNA, N.V.V.SUDHA MADHURI, K2018-08-032018-08-032018-03http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810063242THESESABSTRACT: The present work was aimed to study the prevalence, symptomatology, hemato-biochemical profiles and treatment of copper deficiency in buffaloes among five mandals of Krishna district. Analysis of plasma samples for the estimation of copper revealed that the overall prevalence of copper deficiency in buffaloes was 24.79 per cent. The prevalence varied significantly (P<0.05) among the five mandals. Prevalence was more in buffaloes belonging to individual farmers in comparison to those located in dairy farms. No significant difference (P>0.05) was recorded in the prevalence among different age groups. Among the adult buffaloes studied, pregnant were mostly affected. Out of the 24.79% hypocupremic buffaloes, 18.18 % had marginal deficiency while 6.61% exhibited functional deficiency. The prominent clinical signs in hypocupremic buffaloes were depigmentation of skin and hair coat, anemia, ill thrift lameness/hoof abnormalities, mastitis, diarrhea, reduced milk yield anoestrous and repeat breeding. The mean plasma copper (μg/dl) concentrations in healthy control, buffaloes with marginal and functional deficiency were 80.69 }5.97, 31.28 }0.34 and 16.36 }0.25, respectively with significant difference between the three groups (P<0.01). The Hb, PCV, TEC, serum total protein and serum γ glutamyl transferase varied significantly (P<0.01) in between the healthy and deficient buffaloes. The plasma ceruloplasmin (mg/dl) value recorded in apparently healthy buffaloes was 8.91 }0.77 while it was 6.83 }0.18 and 5.05 }0.40 in marginal and functional deficiency buffaloes. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlation between plasma copper and ceruloplasmin in healthy (R=0.722; P=0.043) and hypocupremic buffaloes (R=0.588; P=0.005). The buffaloes of functional deficiency were randomly assigned to two groups. Group I were treated with oral administration of copper sulphate @ 300 mg/100 kg b wt/day and Group II with injectable copper glycinate. In both the groups, the plasma copper values reached normalcy by 90 days. The hypocupremic buffaloes showed marked clinical improvement with alleviation of clinical signs from two weeks after initiation of therapy. After treatment, the hemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count significantly improved in comparison to the pre therapeutic values in both the groups. Significant increase in mean serum total protein and serum γ- glutamyl transferase (U/l) values were recorded in both the groups after therapy. In the present study a positive correlation was recorded between ceruloplasmin with plasma copper concentrations with significant increase in the mean ceuloplasmin values in Group I and Group II buffaloes parallel to the increased plasma copper concentrations. In the present study the average time taken for the plasma copper values to reach normalcy in Group I and Group II was 66.25 days and 65 days, respectively.ennullThesis