Copper responsive infertility in British cattle: the use of a blood caeruloplasmin to copper ratio in determining a requirement for copper supplementation
Autor: | S. B. Telfer, Nigel Kendall, D. V. Illingworth |
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Rok vydání: | 2001 |
Předmět: |
Infertility
Polymers and Plastics biology business.industry Embryo Loss 0402 animal and dairy science chemistry.chemical_element Serum caeruloplasmin 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences medicine.disease 040201 dairy & animal science Copper Diagnostic aid Animal science chemistry 040103 agronomy & agriculture biology.protein 0401 agriculture forestry and fisheries Medicine business Copper deficiency Ceruloplasmin |
Zdroj: | BSAP Occasional Publication. 26:429-432 |
ISSN: | 2053-5953 0263-967X |
DOI: | 10.1017/s0263967x00034042 |
Popis: | Signs of clinical copper deficiency in ruminant animals include infertility. Blood copper concentrations alone are not an adequate indicator of copper status, as they take no account of the thiomolybdate challenge to the animal. The use of the ratio of caeruloplasmin activity to plasma copper concentration should provide a better indicator of molybdenum induced copper problems. The objectives of this study were to obtain veterinary feedback on the University of Leeds Trace Element Laboratory's (ULTEL) assessment of copper status and responses to any recommended supplementation. Blood samples from 713 female cattle from 114 herds were assessed for copper status, including plasma copper concentrations, serum caeruloplasmin activities and the ratio between the caeruloplasmin and plasma copper (CP/PlCu ratio). On the basis of only plasma copper analysis 95.0 % of the cattle were classified as being of normal copper status using Veterinary Laboratory Agency reference ranges. However, when the CP/PlCu ratio was also considered only 35.6 % of the cattle would be classed as having normal copper status. Appropriate copper supplementation would be required by 30.7 % of the cattle and a further 27.8 % could also benefit from additional copper. Veterinary responses to a questionnaire (80 % returned) indicated that infertility was a major problem in their clients’ herds. Where copper supplementation was recommended and administered an increase infertility was observed. In herds showing poor or lack ofoestrous behaviour/ later embryo loss (signs of clinical copper deficiency), 91.7 % reported that these signs were reduced by copper supplementation. The relevance of the CP/PlCu ratio as a diagnostic aid in the identification of copper responsive infertility has been supported by the responses of the veterinary surgeons. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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