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Breed differences in copper metabolism in sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

G. Wiener ,
N. F. Suttle ,
A. C. Field ,
J. G. Herbert  and
J. A. Woolliams
G. Wiener
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
N. F. Suttle
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ Moredun Research Institute, 408 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH17 7JH
A. C. Field
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ Moredun Research Institute, 408 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH17 7JH
J. G. Herbert
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
J. A. Woolliams
Affiliation:
A.R.C. Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
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Summary

Evidence was sought for genetic differences in the absorption or systemic use of copper by comparing responses in plasma Cu concentration to oral and intravenous Cu repletion. Lambs of the North Ronaldsay (Orkney), Scottish Blackface and Welsh Mountain breeds and crosses of these with the North Ronaldsay were used.

In two oral repletion phases average Cu intakes/kg live weight were 0·87 and 0·63 mg/week and similar for all breed groups. Plasma Cu concentrations of Scottish Blackface lambs showed little or no increase while those of North Ronaldsay lambs increased rapidly, and those of Welsh Mountain lambs increased moderately. The plasma Cu concentrations of the cross-breds increased more rapidly in the first than in the second phase; their rate of change lay between the pure breeds but was closer to that of the North Ronaldsay in the first phase.

The rates of increase in plasma Cu concentration during intravenous repletion were relatively uniform for the different breeds and crosses except the Blackface which showed a lower rate. It was concluded that the large differences between groups in response to oral Cu repletion were largely attributable to differences in the efficiency of Cu absorption.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 91 , Issue 2 , October 1978 , pp. 433 - 441
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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References

REFERENCES

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