Effect of Copper Intake on Concentration in Body Tissue and on Growth, Reproduction and Production in Dairy Cattle

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Abstract
Holstein calves fed a basal ration low in copper were randomly assigned to the following treatments: (1) trace-mineral supplement containing Cu, Mn, Co, Zn, and Fe; (2) trace-mineral supplement containing no copper; (3) supplemental copper alone; and (4) no supplemental mineral. The unsupplemented rations containing 4 to 5 ppm of copper resulted in significantly lower stores of liver copper. Liver and blood copper were significantly correlated; however, liver concentration more closely reflected ration levels. Other minerals (with or without copper) had no significant effect on liver copper. Ration copper did not affect the copper content of kidney, heart, brain, spleen, and muscle tissue. No differences in growth, reproduction, and production were noted between supplemented and unsupplemented groups. The bovine dam transmits liberal stores of copper to her offspring, when copper in the ration does not exceed 5 ppm and when her liver copper is at a low level of 30 ppm. Under average conditions of feeding and management, a marked decrease in liver copper was noted in the absence of minor element supplementation; however, no changes in performance were noted and no deficiency symptoms were evident.

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