Use of urinary formimino-glutamic acid (FIGLU) test as an indicator of cobalt deficiency in sheep

Abstract

The use of a urinary formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) test for the diagnosis of cobalt (Co) deficiency in sheep was assessed on six commercial sheep farms in the North Island, New Zealand. On one site, diagnosed as marginally Codeficient, Vitamin B₁₂ injections induced a liveweight response in trial animals. The FIGLU test showed promise as a rapid and sensitive means of detecting sub-clinical deficiency, and offered several advantages over more conventional methods of detection.

Keywords:

• urinary formimino-glutamic acid test
• FIGLU
• cobalt deficiency
• vitamin B₁₂
• trace elements
• sheep