Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) evaluation in domestic ruminants

ABSTRACT In ruminant breeding systems, chronic anemia can lead to economic losses, resulting from iron deficiency in the organismo. When iron is unavailable for incorporation into hemoglobin, a compound called zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) is formed, may be an early marker for anemia and is useful for its diagnosis. However, for this measurement to be useful, it is necessary to know the normal values for the species. Therefore, 30 calves, 30 goats and 30 sheep, all of them healthy, to standardize the values were used. This measurement was determined on refrigerated blood samples collected with EDTA, obtaining values in red blood cells not washed and washed. The washing aimed at the elimination of interfering substances in these measures. The mean of the ZPP in the unwashed samples was 80,9µmol ZPP/mol of heme in calves; 55,09µmol ZPP/mol of heme in goats and 73,76µmol ZPP/mol of heme in sheep. After washing, the values were 61,4µmol ZPP/mol of heme; 43,92µmol ZPP/mol of heme e 59,36µmol ZPP/mol of heme, in calves, goats and sheep, respectively. Due to its practicality, the techniquecan be used for the early detection of iron deficiency anemia, recommending the previous lavage of the red blood cells.