A Copper-Molybdenum Complex: Its effects and movement in the piglet and sheep

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Abstract
Experiments were conducted to study the in vivo availability and movement of copper of a copper-molybdenum (Cu-Mo) complex. In baby pigs fed the Cu-Mo complex as the only copper supplement, serum copper levels were similar to those in pigs fed copper sulfate. However, the pigs receiving the Cu-Mo complex showed an increase in ceruloplasmin activity which was no greater than that in pigs fed a diet without supplemental copper. Tissue molybdenum concentrations were higher in pigs fed the Cu-Mo complex than in pigs fed an equal amount of molybdenum as the sodium salt. Conversely, tissue copper levels in the pigs fed the Cu-Mo complex were generally lower than those in pigs fed either copper sulfate or copper citrate plus sodium molybdate in equivalent amounts. In sheep given an intravenous injection of the Cu-Mo complex made from 64Cu and 99Mo, the rates of removal from the blood of the copper and molybdenum were equal, and this rate was more rapid than the removal of molybdenum when 99Mo was injected alone. Conversely, the rate of urinary excretion of molybdenum from the 64Cu-99Mo-injected sheep was slower than from the 99Mo-injected animal. These results support the hypothesis that copper bound in a Cu-Mo complex is biologically unavailable and indicate that such a complex can exist in vivo.