253
Views
2
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Correspondence

Cobalt deficiency in sheep and diagnostic reference ranges

&
Pages 265-266 | Received 21 Dec 2004, Published online: 18 Feb 2011
 

Abstract

Extract

In the last 2 years, two papers have been published suggesting that current New Zealand reference criteria for diagnosing cobalt deficiency should be reviewed (Grace et al 2003), and they are conservatively high and lead to the over-diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency and ill-thriftiness in sheep (Gruner et al 2004). The comments refer to reference ranges cited by animal health diagnostic laboratories. These reference ranges were derived from the paper by Clark et al (Citation1989), which reviewed data from published and unpublished weight gain response trials preceding that date. The review included all published trials in New Zealand and as many unpublished trials that the authors could obtain. They involved serum vitamin B12 data from 54 trials and liver vitamin B12 data from 21 trials. It was stated that more data from trials conducted in autumn were required to reliably determine an autumn response curve. In addition, it was envisaged that as other trial data became available the reference curves could be upgraded (Clark et al Citation1985).

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.