The distribution of copper in the liver of pigs and sheep and its effect on the value of chemical anai,yses made on biopsy samples

Abstract

Abstract In the livers of pigs either given or not given a copper supplement there was no significant variation in copper concentration according to the site from which the sample was taken. In two new-born lambs examined there was a statistically significant trend towards increasing concentrations in samples between the dorsal (right) lobe to the ventral (left) lobe. This trend tended to be less, or absent, in three older sheep. Using the aspiration biopsy technique described, for sheep the site of entry was almost invariably within the middle or lower areas of the visceral surface of the dorsal lobe. Detailed examination did not reveal any serious variation in copper concentration according to the depth within the liver from which samples were taken. It was found that, despite any variation in copper content that might be present, good agreement was obtained between the mean copper concentration for repeated biopsy samples of the same liver and that for replicated representative samples from the corresponding whole liver. It is concluded that for nutritional experiments in which samples from live animals are required for copper analysis, the biopsy technique provides a satisfactory sample.