Clastogenic effect of copper deficiency in cattle

Copper plays an essential role as a micronutrient. Deficiency of this element (hypocuprosis) in experimental and domestic animals has a severe impact on growth as well as on reproduction. The occurrence of lesions during hypocuprosis is correlated with the depletion of an enzymatic group in which copper takes part. The aim of this work was to analyse chromosomal aberrations in Aberdeen Angus cows of the province of Buenos Aires in relation with the Cu plasma levels. Short term lymphocyte cultures were made from samples obtained from four groups of animals: two groups with normal levels of copper in plasma and two groups with severe hypocupremia. This analysis showed a significant increase of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (p<0.001) in the hypocupremic groups in relation with control groups. Finally, the Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant negative association (p<0.05) between copper levels and the yield of chromosomal aberrations. The increase of the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations found in the hypocupremic groups could be explained by the higher oxidative stress suffered by these animals. A lower catalytic activity of enzymes such as Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and cytochrome-c oxidase could increase the intracellular production of active oxygen species (O(2)(-), H(2)O(2) and OH(o)) with the consequent clastogenic effects.