Distribution of cobalt, manganese and iron in the skin and hair of West African dwarf sheep and goats in Nigeria

Abstract

The distribution of cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) was investigated in the skin and hair of 16 West African Dwarf sheep and goats. All three trace elements were present in varying amounts in both tissues. There were, however, some regional intraand interspecies differences Some of these differences were found to be statistically significant. These findings are discussed with reference to their possible implications for cutaneous manifestation of deficiency and other disease syndromes in the animals.