Fecal Copper Research Articles

Modulation of fecal microbiota and reductions in fecal antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) driven by Weissella-fermented feed in growing pigs

Probiotics-induced feed fermentation can improve the composition of microbiota, leading to benefits in pig production. However, the influence of probiotics-driven feed fermentation on pollution reduction is limited. This study aimed to analyze the impact of Weissella-based feed fermentation on the chemical characteristics, changes in microbial abundance, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Moreover, the possible mechanism and the association among them was also analyzed. First, pigs reared on fermented feed exhibited improved growth performance. The fermentation group showed a significant reduction in emissions of total phosphorus (TP), total carbon (TC), organic matter (OM), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) levels in feces compared to the control group. The fermentation group also showed a significant decrease in the ARGs, especially for the tetX, tetW, tetQ, tetL, tetO, tet32, tet44, ermG, ermF, CfxA2, CfxA3, aph3-III, aadA, and ant9-I, compared to the control group. The primary functional microbiota, characterized by increased levels of Bifidobacterium, Megasphaera, and Mitsuokella, and decreased levels of Methanosphaera, and Ruminiclostridium, displayed both negative and positive correlations with ARGs, TC, TP, OM, Cu, and Zn. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the alterations in microbiota and ARGs and the lactic acid concentration in the fermented feed. The molecular docking results showed a good fit between lactate dehydrogenase and three antibiotics, particularly tetracycline. In conclusion, these results offer novel targets and strategies to address environmental pollutants associated with pig farming.

Novel feed additive delivers antimicrobial copper and influences fecal microbiota in pigs.

Dehydrated alginate beads formulated with copper were synthesized and tested as a feed additive to influence the microbiota in finishing pigs and potentially use them as a preharvest intervention to reduce fecal pathogen shedding. The efficacy of the copper beads was tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, Salmonella was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced when in contact with the copper beads solution for up to 6 h, with a 5.4 log CFU/mL reduction over the first hour. Chemical analysis of the soak solutions demonstrated the beads delivered their copper payload gradually over the same period the bactericidal effect was observed. For the in vivo experiments, pigs (n = 48) supplemented with the copper beads experienced significant shifts in their microbiota. Enterobacteriaceae (EB) increased by 1.07 log CFU/g (P < 0.05), while lactic acid bacteria (LAB) decreased by 1.22 log CFU/g (P < 0.05) during the treatment period. When beads were removed from the feed, EB and LAB concentrations returned to baseline, indicating copper beads led to measurable and significant changes in microbial loads. Fecal microbiome analysis conducted to explore additional changes by copper bead supplementation demonstrated that, at the phylum level, there was an increase in Firmicutes, Euryarchaeota, and Acidobacteriota, while at the genus level, an increase in Methanosphaera and Pseudomonas was observed. Measures of copper in swine feces showed values ~20 times higher in the treatment group than in the control group during the treatment period, suggesting that dehydrated alginate copper beads were effective in delivering antimicrobial copper to the animal hindgut.IMPORTANCECopper has long been known to have antimicrobial properties. However, when water-soluble salts are fed to livestock, the copper may rapidly dissolve in gastric contents and fail to reach the gut. Here, specially formulated copper beads are seamlessly incorporated into feed and allow copper to remain longer in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, reach deep into both the foregut and hindgut, and shift microbial populations. The technology delivers antimicrobial copper to the animal hindgut and potentially reduces pathogenic microorganisms before animal slaughter.

The Effect of Dietary Organic Copper and Zinc Trace Minerals on some Yield and Mineral Levels and Histological Structure of Testes

This study aims to investigate the effects of providing Cu and Zn minerals with an organic structure reduced by 25% compared to the recommended (NRC) inorganic value on parameters such as the age at which lambs achieve 50% sperm motility yield, some developmental parameters, testis histology, as well as serum, wool, and fecal mineral levels in lambs. The study involved 12 male lambs in the T1 group (organic minerals) and 11 in the T2 group (inorganic minerals) of the Kıvırcık breed. Lambs received minerals from mothers during the last month of fetal period and suckling, continuing individual feeding post-weaning. During individual feeding, T1 received 5.25 mg/kg DM copper-chelate and 15.0 mg/kg DM zinc-chelate, while T2 received 7 mg/kg DM copper-sulfate and 20 mg/kg DM zinc-sulfate. The mothers received identical mineral amounts in the last month of pregnancy and lactation. The ewes birthed offspring solely for the supply of experimental groups. Lambs, averaging about 18.5 kg, underwent bi-weekly electroejaculation, concluding the trial for those with 50% semen motility. Statistical analyses were carried out using the GLM method. No differences were observed between groups in the average age at which lambs achieve 50% sperm motility, live weight, scrotum, and testicular measurements at this age (P > 0.05). Histological analyses revealed no difference in tubule area between T1 and T2 groups (P > 0.05), but tubular epithelium height was greater in T1 (P < 0.01). End-of-trial serum copper, as well as weaning day and end-of-trial serum and fleece zinc mean values, did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). However, T1 had higher mean values for serum Cu on the weaning day (P < 0.01), fleece copper on the weaning day (P < 0.05) and at the end of the trial (P < 0.001). Additionally, the T1 group exhibited lower mean levels of fecal copper (P < 0.05) and fecal zinc (P < 0.001). In conclusion, despite organic copper and zinc levels being 25% lower in the examined parameters, comparable or improved results were achieved with inorganic copper and zinc.

Bioavailability of bioactive phytochemicals in selected tissues and excreta from goats fed hempseed cake (Cannabis sativa L.) finisher diets

Hempseeds are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, yet little is known about their bioavailability in tissues and excreta of animals fed hemp seed cake. The study evaluated the bioactive phytochemicals and their antioxidant activity in the blood, liver, meat, feces, and urine from goats fed finishing diets containing graded inclusions of hempseed cake (HSC). Twenty-five wether goats (26.8 ± 2.9 kg) of 4–5 months were randomly allocated to five experimental diets containing increasing levels of HSC (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 g/kg DM) substituted for soybean meal (SBM) as the main protein source. Goats were allowed for period of 21 days for adaptation, and blood, fecal, and urine samples were collected on the 28th day of the experiment. The liver and right longissimus thoracis et lumborum were respectively collected at 60 min and 24 h after slaughter. Linear increases (P ≤ 0.05) in blood, liver, and urine magnesium; fecal manganese; and fecal copper were observed with increasing HSC inclusion in the diet. Liver and fecal selenium exhibited a decreasing linear trend (P ≤ 0.05) with HSC increment in diets. Diet did not affect (P > 0.05) meat and urine mineral contents, except urine magnesium. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) of the blood, liver, and meat linearly increased (P ≤ 0.05) with dietary inclusion of HSC. Blood and liver ferric reducing antioxidant power quadratically increased (P ≤ 0.05) with HSC inclusion reaching a maximum at 50 g/kg dry matter. Current results suggest that inclusion of HSC up to 100 g/kg substituting SBM in goat diets can improve bioavailability of bioactive phytochemicals in the blood, liver, and meat.

Dietary replacement of inorganic trace minerals with lower levels of organic trace minerals leads to enhanced antioxidant capacity, nutrient digestibility, and reduced fecal mineral excretion in growing-finishing pigs.

More effective and environment-friendly organic trace minerals have great potential to replace the inorganic elements in the diets of livestock. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary replacement of 100% inorganic trace minerals (ITMs) with 30-60% organic trace minerals (OTMs) on the performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, nutrient digestibility, and fecal mineral excretion and to assess whether low-dose OTMs could replace whole ITMs in growing-finishing pigs' diets. A total of 72 growing-finishing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with an initial average body weight of 74.25 ± 0.41 kg were selected and divided into four groups with six replicates per group and three pigs per replicate. The pigs were fed either a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing commercial levels of 100% ITMs or a basal diet with 30, 45, or 60% amino acid-chelated trace minerals instead of 100% ITMs, respectively. The trial ended when the pigs' weight reached ~110 kg. The results showed that replacing 100% ITMs with 30-60% OTMs had no adverse effect on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed/gain, carcass traits, or meat quality (P > 0.05) but significantly increased serum transferrin and calcium contents (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, replacing 100% ITMs with OTMs tended to increase serum T-SOD activity (0.05 ≤ P < 0.1), and 30% OTMs significantly increased muscle Mn-SOD activity (P < 0.05). Moreover, replacing 100% ITMs with OTMs tended to increase the apparent digestibility of energy, dry matter, and crude protein (0.05 ≤ P < 0.1) while significantly reducing the contents of copper, zinc, and manganese in feces (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 30-60% OTMs has the potential to replace 100% ITMs for improving antioxidant capacity and nutrient digestibility and for reducing fecal mineral excretion without compromising the performance of growing-finishing pigs.

Comparison of the Microbiome-Metabolome Response to Copper Sulfate and Copper Glycinate in Growing Pigs.

This study aims to compare the fecal microbiome-metabolome response to copper sulfate (CuSO4) and copper glycinate (Cu-Gly) in pigs. Twelve Meishan gilts were allocated into the CuSO4 group and the Cu-Gly group (fed on a basal diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg copper from CuSO4 or Cu-Gly) paired in litter and body weight. After a two-week feeding trial, the Cu-Gly group had a higher copper digestibility, blood hemoglobin, and platelet volume and higher levels of plasma iron and insulin-like growth factor-1 than the CuSO4 group. The Cu-Gly treatment increased the abundance of the Lachnospiraceae family and the genera Lachnospiraceae XPB1014, Corprococcus_3, Anaerorhabdus_furcosa_group, Lachnospiraceae_FCS020_group, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4B4_group and decreased the abundance of the Synergistetes phylum and Peptostreptococcaceae family compared to the CuSO4 treatment. Moreover, the Cu-Gly group had a lower concentration of 20-Oxo-leukotriene E4 and higher concentrations of butyric acid, pentanoic acid, isopentanoic acid, coumarin, and Nb-p-Coumaroyl-tryptamine than the CuSO4 group. The abundance of Synergistetes was positively correlated with the fecal copper content and negatively correlated with the fecal butyric acid content. The abundance of the Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group genus was positively correlated with the plasma iron level and fecal contents of coumarin and butyric acid. In conclusion, Cu-Gly and CuSO4 could differentially affect fecal microbiota and metabolites, which partially contributes to the intestinal health of pigs in different manners.

Heavy Metals in the Blood Serum and Feces of Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran.

This study was conducted to measure concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and iron (Fe) in blood serum and feces of mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and in water and sediment of their habitat (Negour site, Chabahar County in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran). Heavy metal contents in crocodile serum and feces, water, and sediments were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES spectrometer-Spectro Genesis). The highest levels of heavy metals in the mugger crocodile's serum were Fe > Hg > Pb > Cr > Cu > Cd > As, respectively. The total metal concentrations in the feces exhibited the following decreasing order from Fe > As > Pb = Cr > Hg > Cd > Cu. The highest average levels of heavy metals in water were Hg > Fe > As > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd respectively and As > Fe > Pb > Cu > Hg > Cd > Cr in the sediment of lagoons. A significant difference was observed in the concentration of Fe and Pb between male and female crocodiles. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated significant negative correlations between sex and bioconcentrations of Cd, Fe, Pb, As, and Hg in the serum. In conclusion, this study showed that the environmental conditions of Negour lagoons are not suitable for crocodiles regarding habitat health and water quality. Furthermore, since these lagoons and fish are the most important sources of drinking water and seafood for the residents of the area, contamination of these pools with heavy metals can also threaten people's health.

Chronische Kupferüberversorgung als mögliches Bestandsproblem in einer deutschen Milchviehherde

In contrast to sheep, chronic copper oversupply or toxicity represent infrequent events in cattle. This case report describes a chronically elevated exposure to copper arising from excessive supplementation of mineral feedstuff leading to a herd health problem in a German Holstein dairy herd. For diagnosis on herd level, 10 cows of both the close-up (VB) and high-yielding (HL) groups were selected and blood as well as urine samples were collected. Clinical chemistry investigation of these samples only revealed slightly raised activities of liver enzymes in cows of the HL group. Analysis of the total mixed ration (TMR) of both groups revealed a significant oversupply with copper, zinc, cobalt, and selenium. On the basis of these findings, the copper content of urine, feces, pigmented hair as well as plasma ceruloplasmin activity were measured additionally. Liver biopsies were performed in cows of the HL group and in heifers, the latter of which had received a mineral feed for young cattle according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results indicated increased fecal copper in both HL and VB groups as well as above normal or high-normal values of hepatic copper and cobalt resp. selenium, zinc, and manganese in the HL cows. In contrast, heifers had physiological amounts of trace elements in their liver tissues. This report demonstrates the suitability of fecal analysis and TMR for a reliable assessment of copper supply, while blood, urine, and hair failed to represent appropriate sample types. In order to attain a dependable diagnosis of potential copper oversupply, a liver biopsy - which may also be performed in buiatric practice - is deemed necessary.

Selection of copper and zinc dosages in pig diets based on the mutual benefit of animal growth and environmental protection

Dietary copper and zinc additives facilitate the growth and development of animals, but heavy metal in feces threatens the ecological environment, and balance is the key to solving the problem. In this study, a trial of 2000 pigs (early nursery, 9–15 kg; late nursery, 15–25 kg; grower: 25–60 kg) was conducted to analyze the effects of different diets (gradient dosage of copper and zinc additives) on growth performance, antioxidant performance, immune function, and fecal heavy metal excretion of piglets and growing pigs. Although no significant differences were observed in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) between treatments during the entire nursery-grower period, the addition of appropriate high doses of copper and zinc to the diet had a beneficial effect on the antioxidant status and immune function of weaned piglets. Especially at early nursery, compared with the low-copper group (5 mg/kg Cu), the high-copper group (120 mg/kg Cu) could significantly increase the peroxidase (POD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT) and copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), cortisol in the serum. Moreover, the addition of zinc and copper in the diet not only increased the concentration of corresponding trace elements in the serum, but also affected the concentration of other trace elements in the serum. The reduction of copper and zinc content in the diet contributed to reducing the copper and zinc content in feces. In conclusion, we have formulated the mutual benefit dosages of copper and zinc (9–15 kg: 5 mg/kg Cu and 50 mg/kg Zn; 15–25 kg: 4 mg/kg Cu and 50 mg/kg Zn; 25–60 kg: 4 mg/kg Cu and 10 mg/kg Zn) for weaning piglets and growing pigs, which would help ensure the healthy growth of animals and reduce environmental heavy metal residues. CapsuleThis study developed a mutually beneficial dose of copper and zinc in pig diets, which promotes animal growth and protects the environment.

Gandou Decoction Decreases Copper Levels and Alleviates Hepatic Injury in Copper-Laden Hepatolenticular Degeneration Model Rats.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Gandou Decoction (GDD) in copper-laden hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD) model rats. Methods: In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint analysis and eight representative active components were simultaneously measured for quality control of GDD. The therapeutic effect of GDD in HLD was studied by constructing a rat model of copper-laden HLD. The copper levels in the liver, serum, urine, and feces were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Subsequently, UV-Vis spectrophotometry was used to study the coordination ability of copper ion (Cu2+) with six representative active components in GDD to explore its potential copper expulsion mechanism. Serological indexes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were evaluated. Hepatic indicators including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were determined. Moreover, the liver tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe the histological changes. Results: Thirty characteristic fingerprint peaks were used to assess the similarities among 10 samples and showed the similarity was >0.98, indicating a good correlation among the common peaks. Simultaneous quantification of eight markers in GDD was then performed to determine the consistency of quality. GDD could decrease the serum and hepatic copper levels by increasing the urinary and fecal copper content in copper-laden rats. Meanwhile, the results of UV-Vis absorption studies show that six representative active ingredients in GDD can coordinate with Cu2+, indicating that complexing copper removal may be a potential mechanism for GDD to play a role in copper removal. Serum hepatic enzyme markers AST, ALT, and AKP activities and antioxidant enzyme SOD, T-AOC activities, and GSH level in hepatic tissue showed the protection of GDD against liver injury induced by excessive copper. Additionally, the hepatoprotective effect of GDD was also evidenced by the results of the liver histological evaluation. Conclusions: This study suggested that GDD could reduce the serum and hepatic copper levels through promoting urinary and fecal copper excretion in copper-laden rats. At the same time, GDD could alleviate hepatic injury by inhibition of oxidative stress.

Bovine trace mineral concentrations in different sample media with emphasis on fecal analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of feces as sample material for the evaluation of trace mineral supply in cattle. Fecal trace element concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, selenium, manganese and molybdenum were compared with those in feed. Furthermore, fecal trace element-concentrations were compared with those in various additional sample media (serum, plasma, whole blood, urine and hair). Samples (feces, blood, urine, hair) from up to 10 cows in the close-up (3-0 weeks a. p.) and high-yielding (6-20 weeks p. p.) group each were collected during 73 farm visits on 63 dairy farms. Pooled samples of each lactation group were formed and the concentrations of trace elements were determined with ICP-OES or ICP-MS. Furthermore, TMR was analyzed. Additionally, feces from cattle in cow-calf herds during grazing and housing period were evaluated. Nutritional trace mineral requirements were exceeded by the majority of feeds. Trace mineral concentrations were 2- to 3-fold higher in feces than in feed. In this study, the strongest significant correlation existed between feed and fecal concentrations for all elements. Seasonal variations were detected for iron, copper and manganese. Furthermore, iron concentration differed depending on lactation stage. Feed intake of the trace minerals analyzed is most optimally reflected by the fecal concentration in comparison to other substrates. Fecal analysis of these minerals may therefore be employed as an alternative to feed analysis with regards to the evaluation of nutritional trace mineral supply. Analyzing fecal trace mineral concentrations possesses practical significance wherever feed or TMR cannot be analyzed. In particular, this concerns grazing animals, heifers, mother cows and cattle in barns without TMR. Assessment of the complete metabolic status only on the basis of fecal contents is insufficient. However, subnormal fecal copper-, zinc- and manganese concentrations may be suggestive of an inadequate metabolic situation and represent an indication for further diagnostics.

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.

Effect of dietary copper source (inorganic vs. chelated) on immune response, mineral status, and fecal mineral excretion in nursery piglets

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with copper sulfate and cupreous N-carbamylglutamate chelate (NCG-Cu) on the growth performance, serum biochemical profile, immune response, tissue mineral distributions, and fecal excretion of minerals in nursery piglets. Eighteen healthy nursery piglets were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments consisting of no copper in either form (control), 650 g/t copper sulfate (650 g/t Cu) or 320 g/t NCG-Cu (320 g/t NCG-Cu) for 35 days. Pigs fed the 320 g/t NCG-Cu diet showed a significantly (P < 0.05) elevated growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, IgA and IgM levels, and decreased diarrhea rate compared to those fed the 650 g/t Cu diet. Fecal copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were increased (P < 0.05) when pigs were fed the 650 g/t Cu diets compared with those fed the 320 g/t NCG-Cu diets. Tissue Cu has limited effects on tissue mineral distribution, except for the distribution in the spleen and liver (P < 0.05). These results indicated that 320 g/t NCG-Cu (chelated) was as effective as 650 g/t Cu (inorganic Cu) for stimulating growth and the immune response and reducing dietary fecal Cu excretion, thus reducing environmental pollution. Abbreviations: NCG: N-carbamylglutamate chelate; ADG: average daily gain; ADFI: average daily feed intake; F/G: feed to gain ratio; ALB: albumin; GLU: blood glucose; CREA: creatinine; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate amino transferase; GLB: globulin; TC: total cholesterol; TP: total protein; urea: Urea; D-BIL: direct-acting-bilirubin; T-BIL: total bilirubin; UA: urate; CK: creatine kinase; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; IgG: immunoglobulin G; IgA: immunoglobulin A; IgM: immunoglobulin M; C3: complement C3; LD: longissimus dorsi; ICP-OES: inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry; AA: amino acid; GIT: gastrointestinal; Cu-Met: Cu-methionine; CP: crude protein; NDF: neutral detergent fiber; ADF: acid detergent fiber.

Excretion of Zinc and Copper Increases in Men during 3 Weeks of Bed Rest, with or without Artificial Gravity

Background: Zinc and copper have many physiologic functions and little or no functional storage capability, so persistent losses of either element present health concerns, especially during extended-duration space missions.Objectives: We evaluated the effects of short-term bed rest (BR), a spaceflight analog, on copper and zinc metabolism to better understand the role of these nutrients in human adaptation to (simulated) spaceflight. We also investigated the effect of artificial gravity on copper and zinc homeostasis.Methods: Zinc and copper balances were studied in 15 men [mean ± SD age: 29 ± 3 y; body mass index (in kg/m2): 26.4 ± 2.2] before, during, and after 21 d of head-down tilt BR, during which 8 of the participants were subjected to artificial gravity (AG) by centrifugation for 1 h/d. Control subjects were transferred onto the centrifuge but were not exposed to centrifugation. The study was conducted in a metabolic ward; all urine and feces were collected. Data were analyzed by 2-factor repeated-measures ANOVA.Results: Urinary zinc excretion values for control and AG groups were 33% and 14%, respectively, higher during BR than before BR, and fecal zinc excretion values for control and AG groups were 36% and 19%, respectively, higher during BR, resulting in 67% and 82% lower net zinc balances for controls and AG, respectively (both P < 0.01), despite lower nutrient intake during BR. Fecal copper values for control and AG groups were 40% and 33%, respectively, higher during BR than before BR (P < 0.01 for both). Urinary copper did not change during BR, but a 19% increase was observed after BR compared with before BR in the AG group (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The increased fecal excretion of copper and zinc by men during BR suggests that their absorption of these minerals from the diet was reduced, secondary to the release of minerals from bone and muscle. These findings highlight the importance of determining dietary requirements for astronauts on space missions and ensuring provision and intake of all nutrients.

Bellamya chinensis and Lymnaea stagnalis mortality in the presence of Macrobdella decora

Food webs are complex and each trophic level guides the dynamic stability of the whole food web. As humans cause the loss of piscivores and zooplanktivores from lake food webs, parasitic leeches, such as Macrobdella decora, lose potential host organisms. In the absence of a host, it has been suggested M. decora will parasitize freshwater snails, but there is a lack of research supporting this. At the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center – East, the snail species Bellamya chinensis and Lymnaea stagnalis have similar niches and are prevalent in the lakes, so they were used as research species. Trials were run to observe the mortality of the two snail species in the presence of leeches. The snail species were tested while in the same tank and different tanks. Leeches did parasitize B. chinensis. However, L. stagnalis did have a significantly higher average mortality than B. chinensis in the same tank (treatment: p-value: 0.022; control: p-value: 0.044) and in different tanks (p-value: 0.001), but leech presence did not significantly (p-value: 0.25) change snail mortality. An exact reason for snail species being the factor that controlled snail mortality could not be determined. However, a possible explanation was due to unfiltered fecal material and copper contamination in the trial tanks. Copper is a lethal metal to most gastropods.

Extensive Literature Search on the ‘Effects of Copper intake levels in the gut microbiota profile of target animals, in particular piglets’

Extensive Literature Search on the ‘Effects of Copper intake levels in the gut microbiota profile of target animals, in particular piglets’

Effects of Dietary Copper and Zinc Supplementation on Growth Performance, Tissue Mineral Retention, Antioxidant Status, and Fur Quality in Growing-Furring Blue Foxes (Alopex lagopus).

A 4×2 factorial experiment with four supplemental levels of copper (0, 20, 40, or 60 mg copper per kg dry matter) from copper sulfate and two supplemental levels of zinc (40 or 200 mg zinc per kg dry matter) from zinc sulfate was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary copper and zinc supplementation on growth performance, tissue mineral retention, antioxidant status, and fur quality in growing-furring blue foxes. One hundred and twenty healthy 15-week-old male blue foxes were randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments with 15 replicates per treatment for a 70-day trial from mid-September to pelting in December. The average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were increased with copper supplementation in the first 35 days as well as the overall period (P<0.05). In addition, copper supplementation tended to increase feed intake during the first 35 days (P<0.10). Diets supplemented with 200 mg/kg zinc did not affect body gain (P>0.10) and feed intake (P>0.10) but improved feed conversion (P<0.05) compared with those supplemented 40 mg/kg zinc throughout the experiment. No copper×zinc interaction was observed for growth performance except that a tendency (P=0.09) was found for feed intake in the first 35 days. Supplementation of copper or zinc improved crude fat digestibility (P<0.01) but had no effects on the digestibility of other nutrients. Fecal copper was increased with both copper (P<0.01) and zinc addition (P<0.05). However, fecal zinc was affected only by dietary zinc addition (P<0.01). Mineral contents in serum and kidney were not affected by dietary treatments (P>0.05). However, the level of copper in the liver was increased with copper supplementation (P<0.05) and tended to decrease with zinc supplementation (P=0.08). Dietary zinc addition tended to increase the activity of alkaline phosphatase (P=0.07). The activities of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and catalase tended to increase by copper (P=0.08) and zinc addition (P=0.05). Moreover, a copper×zinc interaction was observed for catalase in the experiment (P<0.05). Serum malondialdehyde concentration decreased with the increasing of dietary copper and zinc levels (P<0.05). The activity of glutathione peroxidase tended to increase by copper addition (P=0.09). For fur quality, foxes fed diets supplemented with high copper had larger skin length and darker pelts than those fed the basal diet without copper addition (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary copper and zinc supplementation can improve growth by increasing feed intake and improving fat digestibility. Additionally, copper and zinc can enhance the antioxidant capacity of blue foxes. This study also indicates that additional zinc up to 200 mg/kg did not exert significant adverse effects on the copper metabolism of growing-furring blue foxes.

Effects of dietary copper on elemental balance, plasma minerals and serum biochemical parameters of growing-furring male mink (Mustela vison).

The objectives of this study were to study the effects of different levels of dietary copper on copper and zinc balance, plasma minerals and serum biochemical parameters 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, or 192 mg/kg Cu from copper sulfate, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) linearly (P = 0.0026, P = 0.0006) responded to increasing levels of Cu; maximal growth was seen in the Cu24 group. Feed efficiency tended to improve with the increase of dietary copper level (linear P = 0.0010, quad, P = 0.0011). Fecal copper, urinary copper, retention copper responded in a linear (P < 0.05) fashion with increasing level of Cu. The effect of level of Cu was linear (P < 0.001) for plasma Cu concentration. The serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities were increased linearly (P < 0.05) with dose of Cu, but serum total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) concentrations decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as dietary copper levels increased. Effect of level of Cu was linear (P < 0.001) for serum ceruloplasmin (CER) concentration or Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) activity. Supplemental dose of Cu linearly decreased serum triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.011) and total cholesterol (TC) (P = 0.007). Our results indicated that the activity of Cu-dependent enzymes was enhanced by increasing dietary Cu concentration and that supplementation of Cu in the diet of mink could alter the plasma lipid profile and copper concentration.

Transgenic mice expressing yeast CUP1 exhibit increased copper utilization from feeds.

Copper is required for structural and catalytic properties of a variety of enzymes participating in many vital biological processes for growth and development. Feeds provide most of the copper as an essential micronutrient consumed by animals, but inorganic copper could not be utilized effectively. In the present study, we aimed to develop transgenic mouse models to test if copper utilization will be increased by providing the animals with an exogenous gene for generation of copper chelatin in saliva. Considering that the S. cerevisiae CUP1 gene encodes a Cys-rich protein that can bind copper as specifically as copper chelatin in yeast, we therefore constructed a transgene plasmid containing the CUP1 gene regulated for specific expression in the salivary glands by a promoter of gene coding pig parotid secretory protein. Transgenic CUP1 was highly expressed in the parotid and submandibular salivary glands and secreted in saliva as a 9-kDa copper-chelating protein. Expression of salivary copper-chelating proteins reduced fecal copper contents by 21.61% and increased body-weight by 12.97%, suggesting that chelating proteins improve the utilization and absorbed efficacy of copper. No negative effects on the health of the transgenic mice were found by blood biochemistry and histology analysis. These results demonstrate that the introduction of the salivary CUP1 transgene into animals offers a possible approach to increase the utilization efficiency of copper and decrease the fecal copper contents.

The Effects of Different Copper (Inorganic and Organic) and Energy (Tallow and Glycerol) Sources on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Fecal Excretion Profiles in Growing Pigs

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different copper (inorganic and organic) and energy (tallow and glycerol) sources on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gas emission, diarrhea incidence, and fecal copper concentration in growing pigs by using a 2x2 factorial design. In this trial, 96 pigs (63 d of age) were employed, with an average initial weight of 28.36±1.14 kg. The dietary treatments were i) basal diet with 134 ppm copper (Korea recommendation) as CuSO 4 +tallow; ii) basal diet with 134 ppm Cu as CuSO 4 +glycerol; iii) basal diet with 134 ppm copper as CuMet+tallow; and iv) basal diet with 134 ppm copper as CuMet+ glycerol. Throughout the entire experimental period, no differences were noted among treatment groups with regard to the magnitude of improvement in ADG (average daily gain), ADFI (average daily feed intake) and G/F (gain:feed) ratios. The nitrogen (N) digestibility of pigs fed on diets containing organic copper was improved as compared with that observed in pigs fed on diets containing inorganic copper (p<0.05). An interaction of copperxenergy was observed in the context of both nitrogen (p<0.05) and energy (p<0.01) digestibility. Ammonia emissions were significantly lower in the organic copper-added treatment groups than in the inorganic copper-added treatment groups (p<0.05). Mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide emissions were reduced via the addition of glycerol (p<0.05). No significant effects of copper or energy source, or their interaction, were observed in reference to diarrhea appearance and incidence throughout the entirety of the experimental period. The copper concentration in the feces was significantly lower in the organic copper source treatment group than was observed in the inorganic copper source treatment group (p<0.05). The results of this experiment show that organic copper substituted for inorganic copper in the diet results in a decreased fecal copper excretion, but exerts no effect on performance. The different energy (tallow and glycerol) sources interact with different copper sources and thus influence nutrient digestibility. Glycerol supplementation may reduce the concentrations of odorous sulfuric compounds with different Cu sources.