Abstract
The objectives of this study were to study the effects of different levels of dietary copper on organ indexes, tissular Cu, Zn and Fe deposition and fur quality of mink in the growing-furring periods. One hundred and five standard dark male mink were randomly assigned to seven groups with the following dietary treatments: basal diet with no supplemental Cu (Control); basal diet supplemented with either 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 192 mg/kg Cu from copper sulphate, respectively. The colour intensity scores displayed a linear trend (P = 0.057). The spleen Cu concentrations responded in a linear (P < 0.05) fashion with increasing level of Cu, but copper supplementation did not affect speen concentrations of Fe or Zn. Supplemental dose of Cu linearly increased (P < 0.05) liver Cu and Fe concentrations but did not alter (P > 0.10) liver Zn. Our results indicate that Cu plays an important role in the pigmentation in growing-furring mink, and supplemental dietary Cu in growing-furring mink improve hair colour, and copper has limited effects on liver mineral deposition.
Highlights
Copper is a key trace mineral in mink nutrition in terms of its role in hemoglobin formation and normal pigmentation of fur
Organ indexes There were no differences in the relative weights of the spleen, heartand kidney among the seven treatments (P > 0.05, Table 2)
The relative weight of the liver slightly increases with the increase of dietary copper
Summary
Copper is a key trace mineral in mink nutrition in terms of its role in hemoglobin formation and normal pigmentation of fur. Copper is a constituent of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin (the black pigment of skin, hair, and fur) [3,4,5]. Earlier studies by Aulerich and Ringer [7] indicated superior weight gains in male kits but not in female kits fed supplemental copper at the 50 mg/kg level. Aulerich et al [8] and Bush et al [9] it was noted that darker fur color occurred in male kits but not female kits with supplemental copper at the 200 mg/kg level. Studies at Cornell University with mink on purified diets suggested that 20 mg Cu/kg DM was adequate for growth and fur development [10]
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