Jachimowicz-Rogowska K, Topczewska J, Krupa W, Bajcar M, Kwiecień M, Winiarska-Mieczan A. Seasonal Changes in Trace-Element Content in the Coat of Hucul Horses.
Animals (Basel) 2022;
12:ani12202770. [PMID:
36290155 PMCID:
PMC9597826 DOI:
10.3390/ani12202770]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to evaluate seasonal changes in selected trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Al in the coat of healthy Hucul horses kept in south-eastern Poland in two different facilities and fed with locally sourced feed. The coat for the study was collected from 24 individuals in autumn, winter, and spring. The concentration of elements in the feed was also determined. The date of collection had a significant effect on the concentration of the micronutrients analysed in the coat of Hucul horses. The highest concentration of Zn was found in the coat taken in summer. The coat taken in autumn had the highest concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Al compared with the other seasons. The highest concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Al were found in fur taken in winter, with the lowest levels of Zn. Positive correlations were found between the content of iron and manganese, iron and aluminium, and manganese and aluminium in the coat of Hucul horses. A clear inter-individual and inter-stable variability was found, which may indicate the need for further research that also takes into account other factors.
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