Dietary Copper Levels Research Articles

Estimation of dietary copper requirement of fingerling Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

The present investigation was conducted to determine the optimal dietary copper requirement of fingerling Labeo rohita (6.5 ± 0.13 cm; 2.46 ± 0.09 g) by feeding seven isonitrogenous (350 g kg−1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (16.7 kJ g−1 gross energy) experimental diets with different concentrations of copper (3.11, 3.63, 4.12, 4.64, 6.13, 9.19 and 15.11 mg kg−1). Each experimental diet was hand-fed to triplicate groups of fish to apparent satiation at 08:00, 12:00 and 16:00 h for 8-week. The group fed with 4.64 mg kg−1 dietary copper exhibited highest (P < .05) live weight gain (LWG), protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate, protein gain (PG), apparent copper retention and the lowest feed conversion ratio. Increase in dietary copper concentrations exerted significant influence on the body composition, condition factor and somatic indices. Scales, vertebrae and whole body copper concentrations increased (P < .05) with increase in dietary copper levels up to 4.64 mg kg−1 and then stabilized. Liver copper concentration was found to be highest (P < .05) in fish fed 15.11 mg kg−1 copper level and the lowest value (P < .05) was noted in groups fed with 3.11 mg kg−1 copper, while no significant change was recorded in muscle copper concentration. Haematological parameters, serum ceruloplasmin and hepatic total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, copper‑zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), and catalase activities were highest in groups fed with 4.64 mg kg−1 dietary copper. Significantly lower (P < .05) values of malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase activities were noted in group fed 4.64 mg kg−1 dietary copper. Serum copper concentration and hepatic lipase activity exhibited positive correlation with incremental levels of dietary copper. Broken-line analysis of LWG, PG, whole body and vertebrae copper concentrations, serum ceruloplasmin, and hepatic Cu-Zn SOD activities against different doses of dietary copper were used to determine the copper requirement of L. rohita fingerlings in the range of 4.52–4.75 mg kg−1 diet.

Partial replacement of fishmeal by a protein‐rich product from methanotrophic bacteria in juvenile red sea bream ( Pagrus major )

The optimum level of fishmeal (FM) protein replacement by bacterial protein meal (BPM) was determined in the diet of juvenile red sea bream, Pagrus major. Six isoproteic and isolipidic diets were formulated to replace 0 (control diet), 190 , 280, 370, 470 and 560 g of the FM protein kg-1 diet with BPM protein, and referred to as C, BP19, BP28, BP37, BP47 and BP56, respectively. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of twenty fish (mean weight ~43 g) twice per day to apparent satiation. Fish fed diets C and BP19 did not show significant differences (p > .05) in growth, apparent digestibility or protein and lipid retention efficiency, but the daily feeding rate (DFR) was significantly lower under BP19 than under C. However, almost all growth parameters were significantly reduced when FM protein replacement with BPM was further increased from 280 to 560 g kg-1 diet (p < .05). The results of polynomial regression analysis (second-order) revealed significant negative correlations between dietary copper levels and final mean weight (R2 = .913), specific growth rate (R2 = .913) and DFR (R2 = .956). The results indicated that BPM could replace approximately 190 g of FM protein kg-1 diet in the juvenile red sea bream diet without compromising growth performance or feed efficiency.

Effects of copper levels on goat carcass traits and meat quality

• Effect of copper (Cu) levels in the goat diet was evaluated. • The meat yellowness (b*) increased for 160 ppm of Cu. • Meat juiciness from 10 ppm was higher (P < 0.05) than 0 ppm. • Regression analysis indicated correlation of b* and springiness with Cu levels in the diet. The objective of the current study was to evaluate high levels of dietary copper (Cu) on goat carcass traits and meat quality. Thirty-six French Alpine goats (18.43 ± 2.35 kg) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments (basal diet with Cu levels at 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) with 6 replications each. The experiment was carried out for 102 d. Plasma Cu and enzymes, and slaughter variables were not different (P > 0.05) between Cu levels. Cu in the goat diets was significant (P < 0.05) for meat lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*); L* values were higher (P < 0.05) at 20 ppm and lower (P < 0.05) at 10 and 80 ppm; b* was highest (P < 0.05) for the 160 ppm level and lowest (P < 0.05) for 40 ppm. Meat adhesiveness presented differences (P < 0.05) between Cu levels; the 10 ppm group showed the highest value (P < 0.05) and 0 ppm the lowest value (P < 0.05). Meat juiciness for 10 ppm was higher (P < 0.05) than meat for the 80 ppm group. Linear regression demonstrated that b* and springiness were dependent (β 1 ≠ 0; P ≤ 0.05) on Cu levels in the diet. In conclusion, high Cu levels are recommended in the goat diet to enhance meat quality without affecting slaughter variables.

Dietary copper supplementation enhances lipolysis in Rex rabbits

BackgroundCopper is an important regulator of lipid metabolism in mammals, as a cofactor of many enzymes and is involved in the lipolysis. Copper deficiency has been considered as a significant factor in human diseases related to abnormal lipid metabolism, while adding copper to the diet seems to be the simplest and most effective way to prevent copper deficiency. AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary copper level on lipid metabolism in Rex Rabbits. MethodsA total of 120 90-d-old Rex Rabbits were randomly allotted into three treatments, with 40 replicates (20 males, 20 females) in each treatment (1 rabbit per replicate). The diets included 1) control (8.4 mg/kg), normal-copper diet (39.1 mg/kg), 3) high-copper diet (67.5 mg/kg). The trial including a one-week adaptation period and a five-week experimental period. ResultThe results showed that copper (39.1 mg/kg) diet increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P＜0.05, N = 34), and tended to increase the final body weight (FBW) (P = 0.0556, N = 34). Moreover, dietary copper addition (39.1 and 67.5 mg/kg) significantly increased the foreleg and hindleg weight (P＜0.05, N = 8), and decreased the weight of Perirenal fat and the concentration of triglycerides (TG) in the liver (P＜0.05, N = 8). The concentration of triglycerides (TG), epinephrine (EPI), and glucagon (GC) in serum were obviously higher than that in control group (P＜0.05, N = 8), and the concentration of insulin (INS), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in serum were significantly decreased (P＜0.05, N = 8). The copper group (39.1 mg/kg) showed up-regulated gene expression levels of carnitine palmitoyl transferases (CPT-1 and CPT-2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-α) in liver (P < 0.05, N = 8) and down-regulated gene expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) (P < 0.05, N = 8). In skeletal muscle, CPT-1, CPT-2, PPAR-α, fatty acid transport protein (FATP), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) levels were significantly up-regulated by copper treatment (P < 0.05, N = 8). Rex Rabbits receiving copper addition had higher CPT-1, CPT-2, PPAR-a and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) mRNA levels in adipose tissue (P < 0.05, N = 8). ConclusionCopper diets promoted skeletal muscle growth and reduced fat accumulation by enhancing fatty acid oxidation, at the same time, dietary copper inhibited De novo lipogenesis in the liver. PPAR-α signaling in liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissues were involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism by copper.

Comparative Effects of Copper and Terramycin on Performance of Broiler Chicks and Growers

BROILER chicks were divided into twelve groups each of which had either the basal ration, the basal ration, and terramycin, the basal ration and graded levels of copper, or the basal ration and both the antibiotic and copper. Broiler growers were fed similarly. High level of dietary copper [300 ppm] depressed growth. A range of 100 to 200 ppm dietary copper produced liveweight gain as much as terramycin. No additional advantage was gained by combining both copper and terramycin. Either terramycin or 100 ppm copper gave equivalent body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion in the broiler chick starters and growers. &#x0D; Lack of either dietary copper or terramycin resulted in high mortality. Combinations of dietary copper and terramycin stimulated abdominal fat deposition. It is concluded that either terramycin or 100 ppm dietary could be used for stimulating growth and for preventing enteritis in broilers and the choice of either would depend on availability and cost.

PSIV-21 Time course and peak response of inflammation and tissue zinc transporters during LPS-induced sepsis in nursery pigs fed pharmacological levels of dietary zinc and copper

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection on the immune response over a 24-h period in nursery pigs. Pigs consumed corn-soybean meal-based diets with added pharmacological levels of ZnO (d 0–14) and CuSO4 (d 14–23). On d 23, thirty pigs were randomly blocked based on BW and sex to one of five-time points (h 0 baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 post-challenge) and injected with a single i.m. LPS (O55:B5) at 12 μg/kg BW. At each time point, BW, rectal temperature (RT), and blood samples (n = 30, 24, 18, 12, and 6 per time point, respectively) were collected before one block (n = 6) was euthanized for liver and duodenum collection. Tissue samples were quantified for interleukin-6 (IL-6), zinc transporters (duodenal Zip4 and hepatic Zip14), and metallothionein-1 (MT-1) mRNA expression. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS with pig as the experimental unit. Following LPS, RT increased from h 0 to 6 (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and serum TNF-α increased from h 0 to 3 (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Serum zinc and copper decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) from h 0 to 6, and h 0 to 12, respectively. Serum C-reactive protein tended to increase linearly following LPS (P = 0.10). LPS upregulated duodenal Zip4 and MT-1 (P &amp;lt; 0.05) at h 12 and 24, respectively, while all hepatic genes increased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) at h 3 post-challenge. Duodenal IL-6 did not change over time (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Quantification of mRNA expression displayed a positive correlation (P &amp;lt; 0.01) among hepatic IL-6, Zip14, and MT-1 in pairwise comparisons. In summary, LPS challenge induces fever and hepatic inflammation with consequent increases in hepatic and duodenal zinc importers, and their metal-binding protein, along with decreases in serum zinc and copper concentrations. However, our data indicate that pigs recover within 24-hour post-challenge.

Transcriptomic and physiological analyses of hepatopancreas reveal the key metabolic changes in response to dietary copper level in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

All living organisms require copper for growth and development, but the gene expression profiles and molecular mechanisms underpinning dietary copper are poorly investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the potential metabolic changes in response to dietary copper based on analysis of hepatopancreas transcriptome in Litopenaeus vannamei. Three practical diets were formulated to supplement 0 (control diet; CCu) and 40 mg kg−1 inorganic Cu (CuSO4·5H2O; ICu) and copper amino acid chelate (OCu), with analyzed Cu being 12.4, 49.8 and 50.0 mg kg−1, respectively. Shrimp fed ICu and OCu diets had higher percent weight gain and Cu concentration in tissues. Some essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, valine) and non-essential amino acids (tyrosine, glycine, aspartic acid, proline and serine) in hepatopancreas significantly increased in shrimp fed the copper supplemented diets. Transcriptome analysis indicated a total of 742 and 912 genes were differentially expressed (q < 0.001; log2fold change ≥2) in shrimp fed the ICu and OCu diets, respectively, in comparison to shrimp fed the control diet. Five and eight significantly changed pathways were annotated in the CCu vs. ICu and CCu vs. OCu comparisons, with metabolism the leading category for both. Similarly, the proportion of differentially expressed genes revealed that most were enriched in the category of metabolism. Further analysis revealed that dietary copper mainly affected amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Moreover, two significantly changed pathways (phagosome and IL-17 signaling pathway) related to the immune system were identified in shrimp fed the OCu diet. The present study analyzing the hepatopancreas transcriptome identified potential roles of dietary copper on amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism and provided new insight that will be valuable in future studies to further elucidate the nutritional molecular basis of copper.

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric analysis of penicillamine for its pharmacokinetic evaluation in dogs

Copper storage disease occurs in multiple dog breeds and is one of the most common causes of chronic hepatitis in this species. The disease is caused by hereditary defects in copper metabolism in conjunction with high dietary copper levels. The progressive copper accumulation leads to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and eventually death if left untreated. Copper chelators are critical in modulating the effects of this disease. It is therefore of significant practicality to understand the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of chelating agents, particularly since they are oftentimes quite expensive. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method was developed to measure plasma levels of one of the most common chelators, d-penicillamine. The compound was discovered to exist in two forms, monomeric and dimeric, and various chemical derivatizations were tried to force the compound into one form or the other. Eventually, the simplest approach was individual determination of penicillamine and its dimer, with summation of the two quantities. This enabled determination of canine PK parameters for penicillamine based on comparison of oral and intravenous administration of the drug, including time to maximum drug level (Tmax), concentration at maximum (Cmax), clearance (Cls) and volume of distribution (Vdss). The drug was found to exist predominantly in the dimeric form in plasma, which is incapable of chelating copper owing to lack of free sulfhydryl groups and must therefore provide a storage form of the drug in equilibrium with its monomeric form in vivo. Mechanisms are discussed for the electrospray-induced fragmentation of penicillamine as well as of its dimer.

Toxicological mechanism of excessive copper supplementation: Effects on coloration, copper bioaccumulation and oxidation resistance in mud crab Scylla paramamosain

Copper is a widespread pollutant in marine environments, and marine animals can ingest large amounts of copper through the food chain. Here, an 8-week feeding trial was designed to investigate the effects of different dietary copper levels on coloration, copper bioaccumulation, stress response and oxidation resistance of juvenile mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The results indicated that crabs fed the diet with 162 mg/kg copper exhibited a dark-blue carapace and hemolymph. The accumulation of copper in tissues was positively correlated with the level of copper in feed. High/excess dietary copper (162 mg/kg) up-regulated the expression of stress response related genes, and reduced the expression/activities of anti-oxidation genes/enzymes. The activity of phenoloxidase decreased significantly when dietary copper level was 86−162 mg/kg, and the expression of hemocyanin was up-regulated in crab fed the diets with 28−162 mg/kg copper. Overall, the results of the present study indicated that high dietary copper led to parachrea in carapace and hemolymph of mud crab, and caused copper deposition abnormality in carapace and hepatopancreas. The data suggested that the toxic effects of dietary copper were concentration-dependent such that, excess dietary copper (162 mg/kg) had adverse impacts on oxidation resistance.

Effect of Dietary Inorganic Copper on Growth Performance and Some Hematological Indices of Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser baerii Juveniles

AbstractThis research work was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary copper (Cu) levels on growth performance, feed utilization, and some hematological parameters of juvenile Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser baerii. Five semipurified diets containing 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 mg Cu/kg in the form of copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O) were formulated to provide the actual dietary copper values of 1.8, 5.7, 10.1, 15.9, and 28.3 mg Cu/kg diet, respectively. The obtained results exhibited a significant improvement in the final weight, protein efficiency ratio, daily growth coefficient, and hepatosomatic index with increasing dietary copper levels up to 10.1 mg/kg diet, while the feed conversion ratio significantly decreased. Also, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values increased with increasing levels of dietary copper, but no steady trend was observed in mean corpuscular hemoglobin changes. Furthermore, the neutrophils were significantly increased with enhancing the copper level in the fish diet, while the lymphocytes declined. Findings of the current research illustrate that an appropriate dietary copper level is required for improvement of growth performance, oxygen transfer capability, and white blood cell proliferation. Based on the broken‐line regression analysis of leukocyte count and monocyte percentage, the optimum dietary copper supplementation was estimated to be 10.63 and 10.36 mg Cu/kg diet, respectively.

Effects of soybean oil and dietary copper levels on nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation, enzyme activity, microflora and microbial protein synthesis in dairy bulls

ABSTRACT The study evaluated the effects of soybean oil (SO) and dietary copper levels on nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation, enzyme activity, microflora and microbial protein synthesis in dairy bulls. Eight Holstein rumen-cannulated bulls (14 ± 0.2 months of age and 326 ± 8.9 kg of body weight) were allocated into a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with factors being 0 or 40 g/kg dietary dry matter (DM) of SO and 0 or 7.68 mg/kg DM of Cu from copper sulphate (CS). The basal diet contained per kg DM 500 g of corn silage, 500 g of concentrate, 28 g of ether extract (EE) and 7.5 mg of Cu. The SO × CS interaction was significant (p < 0.05) for ruminal propionate proportion and acetate to propionate ratio. Dietary SO addition increased (p < 0.05) intake and total tract digestibility of EE but did not affect average daily gain (ADG) of bulls. Dietary CS addition did not affect nutrient intake but increased (p < 0.05) ADG and total tract digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre. Ruminal pH was not affected by treatments. Dietary SO addition did not affect ruminal total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, decreased (p < 0.05) acetate proportion and ammonia N and increased (p < 0.05) propionate proportion. Dietary CS addition did not affect ammonia N, increased (p < 0.05) total VFA concentration and acetate proportion and decreased (p < 0.05) propionate proportion. Acetate to propionate ratio decreased (p < 0.05) with SO addition and increased (p < 0.05) with CS addition. Dietary SO addition decreased (p < 0.05) activity of carboxymethyl cellulase, cellobiase and xylanase as well as population of fungi, protozoa, methanogens, Ruminococcus albus and R. flavefaciens but increased (p < 0.05) α-amylase activity and population of Prevotella ruminicola and Ruminobacter amylophilus. Dietary CS addition increased (p < 0.05) activity of cellulolytic enzyme and protease as well as population of total bacteria, fungi, protozoa, methanogens, primary cellulolytic and proteolytic bacteria. Microbial protein synthesis was unchanged with SO addition but increased (p < 0.05) with CS addition. The results indicated that the addition of CS promoted nutrient digestion and ruminal fermentation by stimulating microbial growth and enzyme activity but did not relieve the negative effects of SO addition on ruminal fermentation in dairy bulls.

Dietary copper requirement of fingerlingHeteropneustes fossilisfor formulating copper‐balanced commercial feeds

Dietary copper requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis (6.74 ± 0.03 g) was determined by feeding purified diets containing same protein (400 g/kg) and gross energy (17.89 kJ/g) but different levels of copper for 12 weeks. Graded amount of CuSO₄.5H₂O (0, 1.96, 3.93, 5.89, 7.86, 9.82, 11.79 mg/kg) was supplemented to basal diet to attain desired dietary copper levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mg/kg). Analysed dietary copper concentrations were 4.28, 4.63, 5.28, 5.70, 6.19 and 6.69 mg/kg. Absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein gain improved with the increasing levels of dietary copper up to 5.28 mg/kg. Further inclusion of copper at a level of 5.70 mg/kg did not improve the above parameters. Significantly higher (p < .05) plasma ceruloplasmin, liver copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were evident in fish receiving diets with 5.28 and 5.70 mg/kg copper compared to other groups. Whole body and liver copper concentrations increased significantly (p < .05) with increasing dietary copper levels. Quadratic regression analysis of absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein gain and broken‐line regression analysis of plasma ceruloplasmin activity and liver TBARS value against the variable dietary copper levels depicted the dietary copper requirements for fingerling H. fossilis in the range of 5.24–5.68 mg/kg.

Effects of Copper Sources and Levels on Lipid Profiles, Immune Parameters, Antioxidant Defenses, and Trace Element Residues in Broilers.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of copper sources and levels on lipid profiles, immune parameters, antioxidant defenses, and trace element contents of meat and liver in Arbor Acres broilers. A total of 504 male broilers were randomly divided into 7 groups with 6 replicates per group and 12 broilers per replicate. The experiment was used in a 3 × 2 + 1 factorial experiment design; broilers in the control group were fed a basal diet, and broilers in the other six groups were fed basal diets supplemented with 3 sources (copper sulfate, tribasic copper chloride, and copper methionate) and 2 levels (10 and 20mg/kg). The results showed that the levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in broilers were significantly decreased with the increase of dietary copper level (P <0.05). Serum IL-6 and IgA contents, ceruloplasmin and GSH-Px activities, and liver copper contents of broilers increased significantly with dietary copper levels (P <0.05). Compared with the control group, dietary copper supplementation significantly decreased serum cholesterol (P <0.05) and significantly increased serum IL-6, ceruloplasmin, SOD, GSH-Px, and liver copper (P <0.05). Dietary supplementation of basic copper chloride and copper methionate significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content and liver iron content (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary copper supplementation can effectively reduce serum cholesterol content and improve immune and antioxidant functions in broilers. Adding 20mg/kg copper to broiler diet can increase the copper content in the liver, but it will not affect the copper content in the chicken.

51 The effect of initial liver copper status in finishing steers fed three dietary levels of copper with or without ractopamine hydrochloride on liver copper status, growth performance and carcass characteristics.

51 The effect of initial liver copper status in finishing steers fed three dietary levels of copper with or without ractopamine hydrochloride on liver copper status, growth performance and carcass characteristics.

Suhuai suckling piglet hindgut microbiome-metabolome responses to different dietary copper levels

Unabsorbed copper accumulates in the hindgut of pigs that consume high levels of dietary copper, which enhances the coselection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and is considered detrimental to the environment and to porcine health. In our study, a combination of 16S rRNA pyrosequencing and nontargeted metabolomics was used to investigate the microbiome-metabolome responses to dietary copper levels in the hindgut of suckling piglets. The results showed that the dietary copper level affected the abundance of several Clostridia genera and that the relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Coprococcus, Roseburia, and Acidaminococcus, was reduced in the 300 mg kg−1 (high) Cu group. Metabolomic analysis revealed that dietary copper levels affected protein and carbohydrate metabolites, protein biosynthesis, the urea cycle, galactose metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and amino acid metabolism (including the metabolism of arginine, proline, β-alanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and methionine). Furthermore, Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that the abundance levels of Coprococcus (family Lachnospiraceae) and operational taxonomic unit (OTU) 18 (family Ruminococcaceae) were positively correlated with energy metabolism pathways (gluconeogenesis, glycolysis, and the pentose phosphate pathway). The abundance of Streptococcus was negatively correlated with amino acid metabolism pathways (protein biosynthesis, glycine, serine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine metabolism), and OTU583 and OTU1067 (family Rikenellaceae) were positively correlated with amino acid metabolism pathways. These results suggest that the copper levels consumed by LC (low-copper group) versus HC (high-copper group) animals alter the composition of the gut microbiota and modulate microbial metabolic pathways, which may further affect the health of suckling piglets.

Effect of dietary copper levels on the growth performance and nutrient utilization in fattening pigs

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary copper supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and copper metabolism in fattening pigs. A total of 24 pigs (Landrace X Large White X Duroc) with an average initial BW of 30±1.05 kg, the pigs were divided into four treatment groups, with three replicates per treatment and two pigs per replicate, in accordance with a completely randomized design based on the BW. The results indicated that dietary copper supplementation increased the growth performance, CP and EE digestibility. However, there was no significant increase in the DM and OM digestibility. In addition, copper deposition increased with the increase in dietary copper supplementation, while copper absorption, increased with the decrease in dietary copper levels. In conclusion, fattening pigs with 30-60 kg BW can utilize 45-135 mg/kg Cu and porkers at BW of 60-120 kg can also utilize 10-45 mg/kg Cu as CuSO4 for an increased copper utilization and a decreased in copper deposition.

Effects of Dietary Copper on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance and Nutrient Content of Fecal in Growing Goslings from 28 to 70 Days of Age

ABSTRACT A dose-response experiment with four dietary copper concentrations (4.17, 8.17, 12.17 and 16.17 mg/kg) was conducted to estimate the growth performance, slaughter performance, nutrient content of fecal and liver copper concentrations of growing Goslings from 28 to 70 d of age. Two hundred healthy male Yangzhou geese with similar body weight were randomized to four groups with five replicates per treatment and ten geese per replicate. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio of geese for each pen were measured from 28 to 70 d of age. At 70 d of age, two geese were selected randomly from each pen and slaughtered to evaluate carcass quality. Metabolism experiment was conducted with five male geese from each group (one goose per pen) which body weight was close to the mean weight of the group from 64 to 70 d of age. Significant effects of dietary copper was found on body weight, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield, fecal copper concentrations and liver copper concentrations. Body weight, feed conversion ratio and carcass yield showed significant quadratic response to increase dietary copper concentration, while fecal copper concentration and liver copper concentration showed a significant linear response. The result showed that dietary Cu addition can improve growth by increasing the use of the feeding stuff and improving carcass yield in growing Goslings. Furthermore, taking into consideration, the optimal level of Gosling dietary copper was between 8.77 and 11.6 mg/kg from 28 to 70 days of age.

Response of Supplementary Sources and Levels of Copper in Diet on the Performance of Broiler Chickens

The response of broiler chickens to dietary supplemental copper sources and levels in terms of growth performance, serum cholesterol level and carcass yield of broiler chicks was studied in a 3×4 factorial design involving three copper sources (copper sulphate, CuS; copper chloride, CuCl and copper propionate, CuP) each at four dietary levels of copper (8, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg) during starting (03 wk) and finishing (4–6 wk) phases. Each of the diets was offered ad libitum as mash to three replicated groups of 10 chicks each. Significantly (P 0.05) due to either main effect or interaction between copper sources and levels. The FCR during 4–6 and 0–6 wk was significantly (P<0.05) better in CuP supplemented diet than the other Cu sources. The FCR was also significantly (P<0.05) better at 200 mg/kg diet than at other dietary Cu levels during different growth phases. Serum cholesterol concentration was significantly (P<0.01) lower with 200 mg Cu/kg diet than other Cu levels. Significantly lower heart weight was observed in CuS supplemented group than other copper sources. Dressed weight and eviscerated weight was significantly higher at 150 and 200 mg Cu/kg diet than those recorded at other levels of copper in the diet. It is concluded that a dietary copper concentration of 200 mg/kg through supplementation of organic copper (copper propionate) in broiler diet is more effective in promoting growth, feed conversion efficiency, carcass yield and reducing serum cholesterol concentration.

Dietary copper-fructose interactions alter gut microbial activity in male rats.

Dietary copper-fructose interactions contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Gut microbiota play critical roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different dietary doses of copper and their interactions with high fructose on gut microbiome. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets with adequate copper (6 ppm CuA), marginal copper (1.5 ppm CuM) (low copper), or supplemented copper (20 ppm CuS) (high copper) for 4 wk. Deionized water or deionized water containing 30% fructose (wt/vol) was given ad libitum. Copper status, liver enzymes, gut barrier function, and gut microbiome were evaluated. Both low- and high-copper diets led to liver injury in high-fructose-fed rats, and this was associated with gut barrier dysfunction, as shown by the markedly decreased tight junction proteins and increased gut permeability. 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed distinct alterations of the gut microbiome associated with dietary low- and high-copper/high-fructose feeding. The common features of the alterations of the gut microbiome were the increased abundance of Firmicutes and the depletion of Akkermansia. However, they differed mainly within the phylum Firmicutes. Our data demonstrated that a complex interplay among host, microbes, and dietary copper-fructose interaction regulates gut microbial metabolic activity, which may contribute to the development of liver injury and hepatic steatosis. The distinct alterations of gut microbial activity, which were associated with the different dietary doses of copper and fructose, imply that separate mechanism(s) may be involved. NEW & NOTEWORTHY First, dietary low- and high-copper/high-fructose-induced liver injury are associated with distinct alterations of gut microbiome. Second, dietary copper level plays a critical role in maintaining the gut barrier integrity, likely by acting on the intestinal tight junction proteins and the protective commensal bacteria Akkermansia. Third, the alterations of gut microbiome induced by dietary low and high copper with or without fructose differ mainly within the phylum Firmicutes.

Effect of dietary copper level on the gut microbiota and its correlation with serum inflammatory cytokines in Sprague-Dawley rats.

In China's swine industry, copper is generally supplemented above the National Research Council (NRC) requirement (2012) because of its antimicrobial properties and the potential for growth promotion. Yet few are concerned about whether this excess supplementation is necessary. In this study, the 16S rRNA pyrosequencing was designed and used to investigate the effect of dietary copper level on the diversity of the fecal microbial community and the correlation of copper level with the serum level of inflammatory cytokines in Sprague-Dawley rat models. The results showed that the diet containing a high level of Cu (120 and 240 mg/kg) changed the microbial richness and diversity of rat feces associated with the increased copper content in the rat ileac and colonic digesta. Furthermore, a Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that an accumulation of unabsorbed copper in the chyme was correlated with the microbial composition of the rat feces, which was linked with TNF-α in serum. The results suggest that dietary copper level may have a direct impact on circulating inflammatory cytokines in the serum, perhaps inducing an inflammatory response by altering the microbial composition of rat feces. Serum TNF-α could be the chief responder to excessive copper exposure.