Effects of Sodium Monensin on Copper Metabolism of Brazilian Santa Inês Sheep Submitted to Different Dietary Copper.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of sodium monensin on the hepatic accumulation of copper in sheep. Twenty-four Santa Inês crossbred sheep were used and allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with six repetitions and considering the factors dietary copper (basal and high) and supplementation (with and without sodium monensin). Thus, four homogeneous groups were formed: control (basal diet); monensin (Mon), 30 ppm of monensin; copper (Cu), 10 10 mg/kg BW per day of copper; monensin + copper (MonCu). The experimental period lasted 14 weeks. Liver and bile samples were collected at the beginning and end of the experiment to determine mineral element concentrations, and weekly blood samples for biochemical, hematological, and mineral evaluation. Liver copper concentrations at the beginning of the experiment did not vary between groups, while mean liver copper concentrations at the end of the experiment were higher in the MonCu, Cu, and Mon groups when compared to the control. At the end of the study, hepatic copper concentration was influenced by copper (p = 0.0001) and monensin (p = 0.0003) supplementation. Copper-supplemented groups had reduced liver iron contents (p = 0.0287) and increased copper concentrations in bile. The biochemical evaluation showed increased serum GGT and AST activity (p < 0.05) in the Cu and MonCu groups from the eleventh week on compared to the control and Mon groups. The increase in activity of these enzymes was influenced by copper supplementation (p = 0.0340). Monensin interferes positively with the hepatic accumulation of copper and the supplementation of this additive may predispose sheep to copper poisoning.

Seasonality Effects on the Mineral Profile of Goats Farmed in the Semiarid Region of Brazil.

Seasonality effects on the mineral profile of goats were evaluated. Fifty males were divided into two groups, one with mineral supplementation and one control. Seasonal evaluation was conducted during four periods: beginning, middle, and end of the dry period and middle of the rainy period. Rib and liver biopsies were performed, and blood was collected at each period to evaluate mineral accumulation. Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mo, Zn, and Co concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry after acid digestion. Normal Ca, P, and Mo; low Cu, Zn, and Co; and high Fe levels were observed in the diet. The young animals analyzed showed normal serum and bone Ca and P concentrations, suggesting no need for supplementation throughout the entire year under the conditions of this study. Iron showed high values throughout the year, being potentially dangerous especially owing to its antagonistic relationship with other elements. Cu and Zn deficiency in the diet was observed under the conditions of this study, requiring supplementation with values higher than those contained in the mineral supplement used in the middle and end of the dry period. The supply of specific mineral supplement formulated for animals farmed in the semiarid region is suggested and would reduce costs.

Dietary Zinc Supplementation to Prevent Chronic Copper Poisoning in Sheep.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether zinc (Zn) supplementation protects against hepatic copper (Cu) accumulation in copper-loaded sheep. Forty cross-bred lambs were assigned to five experimental groups. These included the control group (C) and four treatment groups that received Cu and/or Zn supplementation (dry matter (DM) basis) over 14 weeks, as follows: Cu (450 mg Cu/kg); Zn-35 (450 mg Cu + 35 mg Zn/kg); Zn-150 (450 mg Cu + 150 mg Zn/kg); and Zn-300 (450 mg Cu + 300 mg Zn/kg). Blood, liver, and bile samples were obtained for mineral determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP⁻OES). The hepatic metallothionein (MT) concentrations were also determined. At the end of the experiment, hepatic Cu concentrations were higher in all Cu-supplemented groups than in C. Hepatic Cu accumulation was lower in the groups receiving the Zn supplementation than in the Cu group, although the difference was only statistically significant (66%) in the Zn-300 group. The MT concentrations tended to be higher (almost two-fold) in the Zn groups (but were not dose related) than in the C and Cu groups, and they were related to hepatic Zn concentrations. Zn supplementation at 300 mg/kg DM is useful for preventing excessive hepatic Cu accumulation in sheep exposed to high dietary concentrations of Cu.

Clinical, haematological and biochemical responses of sheep undergoing autologous blood transfusion.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, haematological and biochemical responses to autologous blood transfusion and the feasibility of this practice in sheep. Thus, we used eight male, 8 months old sheep, weighing on average 30 kg, from which 15 mL/kg of whole blood was collected and stored in CPDA-1 bags. Blood samples were refrigerated for 8 days and subsequently re-infused. The clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated before blood collection and reinfusion, after 10 minutes of collection and reinfusion, after 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 192 hours after collection and reinfusion. RESULTS: With respect to clinical parameters, we observed a decrease in heart rate after 24, 48 and 196 hours from reinfusion compared to basal values (p < 0.05). Haematological variables including globular volume and erythrocyte counts showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) at all time points after collection and increased (p < 0.01) at all time points after reinfusion. There was a significant increase in total protein and calcium at all time points after reinfusion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Autologous transfusion in sheep slightly altered the physiological, biochemical and haematological responses of sheep, indicating that the technique proposed is safe and can be applied in the clinical practice of this species. The 8 d period was not sufficient for complete recovery of the haematological parameters after blood collection.

Avaliação do quadro clínico e perfil bioquímico de bovinos durante indução e tratamento de hipocalcemia / Assessment of clinical and biochemical profile of cattle during induction and treatment of hypocalcemia

O presente trabalho objetivou estudar o quadro sintomatológico, algumas variáveis bioquímicas e a resposta ao tratamento com cálcio de bovinos com hipocalcemia induzida experimentalmente. Foram utilizadas 12 novilhas distribuídas nos grupos controle (n = 5) e tratado (n = 7). Foi infundida solução de EDTA a 5% até o animal apresentar sinais clínicos de hipocalcemia, quando então era iniciado o tratamento com solução contendo cálcio, fósforo, magnésio e glicose, na dose de 1 mL/kg/PV, em 30 minutos, enquanto que o grupo controle recebia apenas solução fisiológica na mesma dose. Exame clínico e coleta de amostras sanguíneas foram realizados nos tempos T0 (basal), T1 (Fase I, caracterizada por tremores musculares), T2 (ao final da infusão com EDTA), T3 (ao final do tratamento) e T4 (24 horas após o término do experimento). Todas as novilhas mostraram diminuição temporária da concentração de cálcio total e livre, fósforo, e apresentaram quadro clássico de hipocalcemia. A taquicardia, a hipofonese e a atonia ruminal desapareceram no decorrer do tratamento, sendo observado aumento no cálcio livre e total e fósforo. O medicamento usado no tratamento dos animais foi eficaz na recuperação do quadro clínico de hipocalcemia dentro de 30 minutos, promovendo retorno das principais variáveis do perfil bioquímico aos valores basais

The present work aims to study the clinical picture, biochemical profile and treatment response in cattle with induced hypocalcaemia. Were utilized 12 heifers randomly distributed in treated (n = 7) and control (n = 5) groups. The induction model was carried on by continuous EDTA infusion into jugular vein until the animals present clinical signs of hypocalcaemia. After that, the treated group received a calcium (Ca) solution enriched with phosphorus, magnesium and glucose with a dose of 1 mL/kg/BW in 30 minutes, meanwhile, the control group was treated with the same dose of physiologic solution. Clinical examination were performed and blood samples were obtained in times T0 (basal time), T1 (beginning of hypocalcaemia); T2 (end of EDTA infusion); T3 (end of treatment) and T4 (24 hours after the induction). All the heifers present temporary blood calcium and phosphorus reduction and demonstrated classical clinical picture of hypocalcaemia. The treated group present full clinical recovery and blood calcium and phosphorus increase. Most evident clinical signs were increasing heart beat, hypophonesis and rumenal atony. Those symptoms were reversed after calcium treatment. The solution used for treatment was efficient on clinical recovery within thirty minutes, promoting the return to basal levels of the most of biochemical's variables

Intoxicação cúprica acumulativa experimental em bovinos / Induced accumulative copper poisoning in catle

O presente trabalho objetivou analisar variáveis clínicas, sangüíneas eos teores de cobre hepático de bovinos submetidos à intoxicação cúprica acumulativa (ICA), por meio do fornecimento de quantidades crescentes de cobre, Com tal objetivo, foram utilizados 10 bovinos(mestiços) jovens, aleatoriamente distribuídos em seis animais no grupo suplementado com cobre (BOV Cu) e quatro animais no grupo controle (BOV). Diariamente, o grupo BOV Cu recebeu por meio de cânula ruminal 2 mg Cu /kg/PV (CuSO4.5H2O) sendo esta dose acrescida de mais 2 mg/kg/PV a cada semana, até o término do experimento (105 dias). Foram realizadas três biópsias hepáticas (Dia0 - dia 45 - dia 105) em todos os animais para determinação da concentração de Cu e Zn neste órgão. Quinzenalmente, foi realizado exame clínico, pesagem dos animais e coleta de amostras de sangue. Três bovinos do grupo BOV Cu manifestaram quadro laboratorial e/ou clínico sugestivo de intoxicação cúprica acumulativa (ICA), vindo a sucumbir em seguida. Destaca-se a presença de dois quadros clínicos diferentes, o clássico (n = 1) e um atípico (n = 2), caracterizado pelo destacado acúmulo de cobre hepático, hiporexia progressiva seguida de anorexia, desidratação, redução dos movimentos de ruminais, oligúria, acentuada apatia e morte, mas sem apresentar hemoglobinúria. Parte dos bovinos se mostraram resistentes à ICA a despeito da administração de altas quantidades cobre. Bovinos com ICA aumentaram a concentração de zinco hepático nas fases finais da intoxicação. Nenhum animal apresentou quadro de insuficiência renal.

The principal objective of this project was to evaluate clinical and hematological alterations and the hepatic concentration of Cu in cattle with accumulative copper poisoning, by infusion of increasing doses of copper. Ten cattle yearling steers were randomly distributed into acopper supplemented group (BOV Cu; n = 6) and one control group (BOV; n = 4). The group BOV Cu received initially 2 mg Cu/kg/BW(as CuSO4.5H2O) daily for one week; every following week, up to the end of the experiment (105th day), this initial dose was increased by 2mg Cu/kg/BW. Three liver biopsies were realized during the experiment (day zero, 45th, and 105th day) to evaluate the degree of copper accumulation in this organ; the body weight and clinical examination was monitored every 15 days, when blood samples were taken. Three cattle supplemented with copper demonstrated clinical manifestations and/or laboratory findings consistent with accumulative copper poisoning (ACP), and died. Two distinct clinical manifestations were observed, one classical (n = 1) and another atypical(n = 2) characterized by remarkable high levels of liver copper, progressive hyporexia followed by anorexia, dehydration, severe apathy, decreased rumen movements, oliguria, and death. Some animals were resistant to ACP despite high accumulative levels of hepatic copper. Cattle with ACP increased their zinc liver concentration at the final stages of the poisoning. No poisoned animals developed renal insufficiency.