Copper status and enzyme, hormone, vitamin and immune function in heifers

A survey was conducted in 10 districts of Northern India to record the copper deficiency in soil, fodder and serum samples. Significant deficiency of copper was observed in soil, fodder and serum samples of heifers. The copper deficient animals were listless, showed depigmentation of skin, stiff gait and were anaemic and diahorric. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the magnitude of copper deficiency in Northern India and to examine the various haematobiochemicals, enzymes, vitamin and immune function which are affected by the deficiency of copper, so as to identify the parameters which can be of diagnostic importance in copper deficiency. Forty hypocuperemic heifers were selected from these areas and were randomly divided into two groups A and B. The heifers in group A were provided with mineral mixture containing copper sulphate and in group B without copper sulphate. Significant improvement (P<0.01) was observed in the haemoglobin (Hb), total leukocyte count (TLC) and total erythrocyte count (TEC) level at the 30th day of treatment in the animals of group A. Significant (P<0.01) improvement in serum. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) level was observed within 30 days of treatment, while significant (P<0.01) improvement in monoamine oxidase and liver cytochrome oxidase was observed at the 60th day of treatment in group A animals. Regarding hormones significant improvement was observed in T(3) and T(4), in the animals of group A within 60 days of treatment. The values of vitamin A and E showed significant (P<0.01) improvement within 30th days of treatment. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils against Candida albicans significantly (P<0.01) improved in group A within 60 days of treatment. Similarly significant improvement in superoxide dismutase activity in RBC was observed at the 30th day, and WBC and whole blood at 60th day in group A animals. Significant improvement in liver Cu level was observed at the 30th day of treatment, while in group B the liver Cu was significantly (P<0.01) depleted at the 60th day of experimentation. Additional Cu supplementation improved growth performance significantly in group A.