[Experimental model for the study of molybdenosis in the primary copper deficiency in rats]

An experimental model in rats was evaluated to differentiate the effects between Copper deficiency and Molybdenosis. Sixty weaning rats (30 male and 30 female) received a diet with 70% complete powder milk (1 ppm Cu) and 30% maize meal (0.8-1.5 ppm Cu). Three experimental groups received the following mineral supplementation: copper deficiency (40 ppm Fe), molybdenosis (40 ppm Fe + 40 ppm Cu + 500 ppm Mo) and control (40 ppm Fe + 40 ppm Cu). The animals were weighed each 14 days. At 70 days of treatment were sacrificed. Blood and liver were sampled for analyzing hematocrit, ceruloplasmin activity and Cu and Mo liver concentration. Copper deficiency group had less serum ceruloplasmin activity. Cu and Mo liver concentration were higher in the animals with molybdenosis. We concluded that when Cu levels are higher than minimum requirement, feeding with high Mo, do not affect ceruloplasmin activity. In addition, high Mo liver concentration allows us to elucidate effects "per se" of molybdenosis.