Describe into detail one of the deficiency signs of copper in domestic animals.
Copper is an essential trace element for needed for animals . It helps in hemoglobin formation, nerve function, cardio vascular integrity, involved in enzymatic systems, bone structure, connective tissue formation, fertility and reproduction, immune function, pigmentation, hair texture, protection against superoxide radicals.
Low concentration of iron in blood levels results in iron deficiency.
There are two different causes of copper deficiency are:
1. Soil containing little plant - available copper:
Fresh grasses are poor sources of copper. Copper absorption in plants limited by alkaline pH or higher organic matter. This low levels of copper in plants due to lack of copper fertilizers which are applied for copper deficient soils. As the copper fertilizers increases the copper content levels in plants for example poultry , pig manure. But lack of copper fertilizers, ingestion of these plants by animals results in copper deficiency.
2. Excessive intake of molybdenum and sulphur:
Alkaline or high organic matter soils contains high levels of molybdenum. Increase in soil pH results in increase in the molybdenum concentration in soil. Finally releases molybdenum from soil . Excess of molybdenum in the diet leads to the formation of thiomolybdates. These can then react with copper-containing enzymes in the bloodstream resulting in signs of copper deficiency.
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