Clastogenic effect of copper deficiency in cattle

Copper plays an essential role as a micronutrient. Deficiency of this eleme nt (hypocuprosis) in experimental and domestic animals has a severe impact on growth as well as on reproduction. The occurrence of lesions during hypo cuprosis is correlated with the depletion of an enzymatic group in which co pper takes part. The aim of this work was to analyse chromosomal aberration s in Aberdeen Angus cows of the province of Buenos Aires in relation with t he CN plasma levels. Short term lymphocyte cultures were made from samples obtained from four groups of animals: two groups with normal levels of copp er in plasma and two groups with severe hypocupremia. This analysis showed a significant increase of the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (p < 0.0 01) in the hypocupremic groups in relation with control groups. Finally, th e Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant negative association ( p < 0.05) between copper levels and the yield of chromosomal aberrations. T he increase of the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations found in the hypo cupremic groups could be explained by the higher oxidative stress suffered by these animals. A lower catalytic activity of enzymes such as Cu/Zn super oxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and cytochrome-c oxidase could increase the int racellular production of active oxygen species (O-2(-), H2O2 and OH degrees ) with the consequent clastogenic effects. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.