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Copper deficiency of sheep in eastern Saudia Arabia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. G. Chamberlain  and
S. H. Clarke
A. G. Chamberlain
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University College of North Wales, Bangor
S. H. Clarke
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University College of North Wales, Bangor
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Summary

The tissue copper concentrations of Black Najdi sheep at the Hofuf Agricultural Research Centre (HARC) are reported. Lambs suffering from a delayed neonatal ataxia had low concentrations of copper in blood, liver and kidney, consistent with a diagnosis of copper deficiency, which was supported by histological examination of their brains and spinal cords.

Low concentrations of copper and high concentrations of molybdenum and sulphate in forages produced at the HARC appear to contribute to the high incidence of neonatal ataxia observed there.

The parenteral administration of 40 mg of copper to pregnant ewes improved the viability and weight increases of lambs over lambs born to untreated control ewes, even though all lambs had received an injection of 20 mg of copper soon after birth.

The provision of supplementary barley to the lambs running with their mothers and with access to lucerne hay increased their growth and blood copper concentrations over animals restricted to the hay diet.

The blood copper, haemoglobin and packed cell volumes of lambs born to ewes maintained on Rhodes grass were significantly lower than lambs born to ewes given lucerne, all ewes having received copper during pregnancy. This effect was attributed to the low copper and high molybdenum and sulphate content of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana).

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 97 , Issue 1 , August 1981 , pp. 213 - 220
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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