| dc.description.abstract | A study was conducted in Ngurunit and Kargi locations of Marsabit district, Kenya to determine the effect of mineral
supplementation on plasma minerals concentration of camels. Two mineral supplements were formulated; one comprising of
locally collected, ground bones mixed with locally available natural salt and the other consisted of commercial ingredients.
Fifty-nine camels in early lactation were recruited in Kargi and 56 in Ngurunit. Of these camels, 22 were randomly assigned
commercial supplement in each site while 12 were put on local supplement in Kargi and 11 in Ngurunit. There were 25
control camels in Kargi and 23 in Ngurunit. Each dam was fed 200 g of supplement daily for 190 days, with blood samples
being taken once a month for minerals assay. While the concentration of cobalt and copper was relatively stable, potassium,
magnesium and iron exhibited a slight increase. Trends for calcium, sodium, zinc and phosphorus were inconsistent. These
results suggested interactions, and that plasma minerals concentration is not a good indicator of dietary mineral content. | en |
