Iron-induced hypocuprosis

A.G. Campbell, M.R. Coup, W.H. Bishop and D.E. Wright

Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton

E-Mail:

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1975, 35: 175-183

Eight yearling cattle were dosed regularly for seven months with 30 mg Fe/kg liveweight/day as ferric hydroxide (Phase 1) and then for a further four months with the same amount of iron as ferrous carbonate (Phase 2). The cattle were grazed together as one herd with eight matched control animals on pasture of adequate copper and low molybdenum status. In Phase 1 liver and blood copper, caeruloplasmin and amine oxidase levels were all very markedly depressed by the iron treatment. In Phase 2 there was a slight recovery in liver copper and a greater recovery in blood copper in the treated animals. These increases were associated with a lower level of iron in the pastures being grazed. The iron treatments did not affect liveweight gain or general health despite a reduction in liver copper to 7 ppm and blood copper to 0.33 mg/l in the treated animals at the end of Phase 1.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 24-08-2000