Effect of Reducing Agents on Copper Deficiency in the Chick

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Abstract
The effect of additions of reducing agents to copper-deficient chick diets was investigated. Ascorbic acid and isoascorbic acid, at 0.1%, and dimercaptopropanol (BAL) at 0.025% of the diet decreased growth and either decreased the elastin content of the aorta or increased mortality in those groups of chicks receiving a copper-deficient, but not a copper-supplemented diet. Diphenylphenylenediamine (DPPD) had no such effect. Ascorbic acid had no effect on zinc or iron deficiency. Dietary ascorbic acid reduced the uptake of Cu64 by the liver whether the isotope was given orally or intraperitoneally.