Predicting copper status in beef cattle using serum copper concentrations

Authors: Vermunt JJ, West DM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 42, Issue 5, pp 194-195, Oct 1994
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Copper, Trace elements, Diet/rations/food, Nutrition/metabolism, Poisoning - chemical
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Copper deficiency is common in pasture-fed cattle in New Zealand. In general, the diagnosis of copper deficiency in a herd of cattle is based on a combination of history, examination of animals, examination of the environment, chemical analysis of blood, liver or pasture, and treatment response trials. The laboratory diagnosis of copper deficiency is currently based on liver and either plasma or serum concentrations of copper. Ellison reviewed the copper reference range for cattle used by the animal health laboratories in New Zealand and concluded that there is strong agreement in the literature that serum copper concentrations greater than 7.9 μmol/l and liver copper concentrations greater than 95 μmol/kg are adequate for young cattle. Furthermore, it has been reported that if copper concentrations in the liver are greater than 150-200 μmol/kg wet weight, there is a negligible increase in serum copper as liver concentrations increase further, with individual animal variation accounting for the range of values in serum copper at this point (7.9-18 μmol/l). Copper is primarily stored in the liver until needed and, therefore, this organ is considered the preferred tissue for assessing the copper status of cattle…

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