Copper (Cu)
Copper, like selenium and other minerals, can interact with minerals occurring in excess, becoming unavailable to the body for absorption. Molybdenum, sulfur, zinc and iron (excess of which also inhibits vitamin E, needed for selenium use in the body) all reduce availability of copper to a greater or lesser extent. During drought, plants uptake molybdenum at higher rates, further depleting copper in the system (Arthington, 2003, pp. 11-12; Coleby, 2006, p. 113; Pugh, 2002, p. 24; Underwood, 1981, p. 91). Beta carotene is needed for copper absorption in the small intestine and lush forage may also inhibit copper absorption (Fowler, 2010, p. 30)
Copper is needed in the body to convert absorbed iron into hemoglobin. Deficiency will result in iron-deficient anemia (Coleby, 2006, p. 100). Immune health, resistance to parasites and fungus diseases all relate to copper in the body. Proper ovulation and estrus, proper bone growth, healthy wool and color also require adequate amounts of copper (Abrams, 2000, p. 76; Coleby, 2006, pp. 99-100).
Low copper in the diet will result in anemia (iron w/o copper is not useable). Lack of adequate copper in pregnant animals will result in neonatal ataxia ("swayback"-muscular incoordination, partial paralysis of hindquarters, degeneration of myelin sheaths of nerve fibers, progressive ascending paralysis, lack of nursing, death) and weak young either at birth or a short time after. In sheep, steely or stringy wool and silvering fleeces (on dark animals) occurs. Wool lacks tensile strength, affinity for dyes and elasticity. This may not occur in camelids and goats appear to manifest hair structure and color changes but not necessarily silvering. Bone disorders (osteoporosis, spontaneous bone fractures in adults) occur and infertility and scouring (diarrhea) may also be present. Lack of copper increases susceptibility to parasites, diseases and skin infections, cardiac lesions leading to "falling disease" or spontaneous death (Abrams, 2000, p. 76; NRC, 1985, p. 17; Coleby, 2006, pp. 99-101; Underwood, 1981, pp. 92-96; Pugh, 2002, pp. 24-25).
Other problems associated with low copper include cancer, foot rot, cowpox, ringworm, foot scald, proud flesh, Johne's (Crohn's in humans) and brucellosis (along with iodine, Mn, Co) (Coleby, 2006, p. 101). Animals may chew fences and bark in an attempt to get trace minerals from their environment.
Sheep and Copper
In sheep, the margin of error between deficiency and toxicity is smaller than in other livestock. Goats, llamas, alpacas and other livestock can tolerate much higher levels of copper than most sheep breeds (Pugh, 2002, p. 25; Fowler, 2010, p. 31). But sheep do need copper and other factors may interfere with their copper absorption and availability, leading to deficiency. Care should be taken to evaluate soils, forage and sheep use of copper to determine if extra supplementation is necessary. Different breeds of sheep also may have different requirements for copper. Some European breeds may not need much copper, coming from coastal areas that are low copper. Other breeds like Icelandic sheep may require copper amounts similar to those fed to goats.
It is worth noting copper toxicity symptoms in sheep. These include increased respiration, depression, weakness, hemoglobinuria (hemoglobin in urine, red color), icterus (jaundice) and death. A veterinarian can help you determine cause of death in suspected copper toxic sheep by doing an necropsy, checking liver, kidneys and blood levels of copper (Pugh, 2002, p. 25).
As mentioned above, different breeds have differing susceptibilities: Ronaldsay, Orkney and Friesian sheep are more susceptible, Merino sheep and dwarf goats may require more copper than other breeds (Pugh, 2002, p. 25).
By Alethea Kenney, copyright 2015-2016. Do not copy or reprint without permission
References:
Abrams, J. 2000. Linton's Animal Nutrition and Veterinary Dietetics. India: Greenworld Publishers
Arthington, J. 2003. Mineral Antagonisms May Influence Copper Deficiencies.
Feedstuffs: Nutrition & Health/Beef June, 16, 2003 pp 11-12.
Coleby, P. 2006. Natural Sheep Care. TX: AcresUSAFowler, M. 2010. Medicine and Surgery of Camelids. IA: Wiley-Blackwell.
National Research Council. 1985. Nutrient Requirements of Sheep. Wash. DC: Natl. Academy Press.
National Research Council 2001. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, 7th Ed. Wash. DC: Natl. Academy Press
Pitzen, D. 1993. "The Trouble with Iron". Feed Mgmt 44(6) pp. 9-10.
Pugh, D. 2002. Sheep and Goat Medicine. PA: Saunders
Underwood, E. 1981. The Mineral Nutrition of Livestock. England: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau.
Copper, like selenium and other minerals, can interact with minerals occurring in excess, becoming unavailable to the body for absorption. Molybdenum, sulfur, zinc and iron (excess of which also inhibits vitamin E, needed for selenium use in the body) all reduce availability of copper to a greater or lesser extent. During drought, plants uptake molybdenum at higher rates, further depleting copper in the system (Arthington, 2003, pp. 11-12; Coleby, 2006, p. 113; Pugh, 2002, p. 24; Underwood, 1981, p. 91). Beta carotene is needed for copper absorption in the small intestine and lush forage may also inhibit copper absorption (Fowler, 2010, p. 30)
Copper is needed in the body to convert absorbed iron into hemoglobin. Deficiency will result in iron-deficient anemia (Coleby, 2006, p. 100). Immune health, resistance to parasites and fungus diseases all relate to copper in the body. Proper ovulation and estrus, proper bone growth, healthy wool and color also require adequate amounts of copper (Abrams, 2000, p. 76; Coleby, 2006, pp. 99-100).
Low copper in the diet will result in anemia (iron w/o copper is not useable). Lack of adequate copper in pregnant animals will result in neonatal ataxia ("swayback"-muscular incoordination, partial paralysis of hindquarters, degeneration of myelin sheaths of nerve fibers, progressive ascending paralysis, lack of nursing, death) and weak young either at birth or a short time after. In sheep, steely or stringy wool and silvering fleeces (on dark animals) occurs. Wool lacks tensile strength, affinity for dyes and elasticity. This may not occur in camelids and goats appear to manifest hair structure and color changes but not necessarily silvering. Bone disorders (osteoporosis, spontaneous bone fractures in adults) occur and infertility and scouring (diarrhea) may also be present. Lack of copper increases susceptibility to parasites, diseases and skin infections, cardiac lesions leading to "falling disease" or spontaneous death (Abrams, 2000, p. 76; NRC, 1985, p. 17; Coleby, 2006, pp. 99-101; Underwood, 1981, pp. 92-96; Pugh, 2002, pp. 24-25).
Other problems associated with low copper include cancer, foot rot, cowpox, ringworm, foot scald, proud flesh, Johne's (Crohn's in humans) and brucellosis (along with iodine, Mn, Co) (Coleby, 2006, p. 101). Animals may chew fences and bark in an attempt to get trace minerals from their environment.
Sheep and Copper
In sheep, the margin of error between deficiency and toxicity is smaller than in other livestock. Goats, llamas, alpacas and other livestock can tolerate much higher levels of copper than most sheep breeds (Pugh, 2002, p. 25; Fowler, 2010, p. 31). But sheep do need copper and other factors may interfere with their copper absorption and availability, leading to deficiency. Care should be taken to evaluate soils, forage and sheep use of copper to determine if extra supplementation is necessary. Different breeds of sheep also may have different requirements for copper. Some European breeds may not need much copper, coming from coastal areas that are low copper. Other breeds like Icelandic sheep may require copper amounts similar to those fed to goats.
It is worth noting copper toxicity symptoms in sheep. These include increased respiration, depression, weakness, hemoglobinuria (hemoglobin in urine, red color), icterus (jaundice) and death. A veterinarian can help you determine cause of death in suspected copper toxic sheep by doing an necropsy, checking liver, kidneys and blood levels of copper (Pugh, 2002, p. 25).
As mentioned above, different breeds have differing susceptibilities: Ronaldsay, Orkney and Friesian sheep are more susceptible, Merino sheep and dwarf goats may require more copper than other breeds (Pugh, 2002, p. 25).
By Alethea Kenney, copyright 2015-2016. Do not copy or reprint without permission
References:
Abrams, J. 2000. Linton's Animal Nutrition and Veterinary Dietetics. India: Greenworld Publishers
Arthington, J. 2003. Mineral Antagonisms May Influence Copper Deficiencies.
Feedstuffs: Nutrition & Health/Beef June, 16, 2003 pp 11-12.
Coleby, P. 2006. Natural Sheep Care. TX: AcresUSAFowler, M. 2010. Medicine and Surgery of Camelids. IA: Wiley-Blackwell.
National Research Council. 1985. Nutrient Requirements of Sheep. Wash. DC: Natl. Academy Press.
National Research Council 2001. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, 7th Ed. Wash. DC: Natl. Academy Press
Pitzen, D. 1993. "The Trouble with Iron". Feed Mgmt 44(6) pp. 9-10.
Pugh, D. 2002. Sheep and Goat Medicine. PA: Saunders
Underwood, E. 1981. The Mineral Nutrition of Livestock. England: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau.