Effect of High but Nontoxic Dietary Intake of Copper and Selenium on Metabolism in Calves

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Abstract
Male Holstein calves (16) in a 2 .times. 2 factorial design with 4 animals per treatment were fed 0 and 100 ppm supplemental Cu from CuCO3 and 0 and 1 ppm added Se from sodium selenite for 15 days in a practical diet containing 0.1 ppm Se and 15 ppm Cu. On day 13, calves received an oral dose of 75Se and were sacrified 48 h later. Feed consumption, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, creatine phosphokinase, and stable Cu in blood and urine were unaffected by diets. Stable Cu in blood and urine were unaffected by diets. Stable Cu in pancreas, spleen, kidney, muscle and spinal cord along with 75Se in lung, pancreas, liver, heart and muscle also were unaffected. In calves fed high Se, 75Se was lower in blood, kidney and spinal cord, and more was excreted in the urine, indicating less retention. Urine was the major excretory pathway of excess 75Se. Liver-stable Cu was greater for high-Cu diets. Stable Cu in the lung was higher in calves fed high Se-high Cu than in either control or calves fed high Cu. Stable Cu was greater in heart tissue in both groups fed high Se than in controls and slightly higher than the group fed high Cu.