Trace element deficiencies - a new approach to diagnosis
D.F. Wright, R.G. Clark, K.R. Millar, J.D. Rowland
Batchelar Agricultural Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries, Palmerston North; Ruakura Animal Health Laboratory, Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hamilton and Wallaceville Animal Research
Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Upper Hutt
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1984, 44: 151-152
Results from vitamin B12 response trials are used to illustrate
a methodology which it is claimed will provide a more useful
interpretation of animal tissue analyses for the diagnosis of trace
element deficiencies. Traditional reference ranges which divide tissue
levels into the categories of responsive, marginal, and
adequate are replaced by reference curves which, for a given
tissue level, provide the expected response and the
probability of an 'economic response. The approach should
provide farmers and veterinarians with better information to decide on
remedial action. The prospects look promising for the production of
reference curves for cobalt and selenium, and hopeful for copper. It
is suggested that the methodology could be applied in other biological
systems involving deficiencies, in particular, to the diagnosis of
phosphorus and other deficiencies in plants.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Trace element deficiencies; diagnosis; methodology
Download abstract in text format
Last Updated 03-05-1997
