Computer simulation of copper pharmaceuticals in cattle

Abstract

Treatment and prevention of copper deficiency in cattle by injection of copper pharmaceuticals is often the preferred palliative. Controlled release pharmaceuticals have often been used. These treatments were simulated using a personal computer. Simulation of copper glycinate and copper edetate injections agrees well with published studies. The copper status and copper intake of cattle are important in the metabolism of injected copper. Deficient animals metabolize injected copper more rapidly than copper sufficient animals. Simulations indicate that normal copper metabolism probably requires the induction of copper reactive proteins in the liver. With rapidly absorbed pharmaceuticals, the blood copper concentration rises dramatically especially in copper deficient animals. This may be involved in the pathologies and deaths reported reported using these preparations. Liver copper is the only available copper storage. Apparent liver turnover of copper is independent of the speed with which a dose is absorbed except for extremely slowly absorbed materials. Sustained release pharmaceuticals prolong the duration of effective liver concentrations of copper.