Authors : Hulya Ozkul, Figen Kirkpinar, Selim Mert and Bora Unlu
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the effects of high levels of inorganic Copper Sulfate (CuSO4) and organic Copper Proteinate (CuP) supplementation to the rat diet on grwth performance, Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) contents of liver, heart, kidney, spleen and bone in addition Cu contents of faeces and serum Cu levels. A total of 66 Wistar weanling male rats were used in the trial. The following treatments were applied in experiment: control (no supplemental Cu), 15 mg Cu kg-1 diet from CuSO4, 15 mg Cu kg-1 diet from CuP. Feed intake was decreased by feeding the diet containing CuSO4 and CuP however, Cu supplementation had a significant effect positively on body weight gains and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Cu contents of liver, heart, kidney and spleen were increased by feeding the diet containing CuSO4 and CuP at the rate of 15 g Cu kg-1 of feed as compared to the control at 28 day (p<0.05). Serum Cu levels were highest in the rat fed CuP and there were significant differences between CuP and control (p<0.05). In addition to bone Cu and Zn and feaces Cu concentrations of the rats fed organic and inorganic Cu sources were similar (p>0.05). Zn contents of liver were increased by feeding the diet containing CuSO4 and CuP while Zn contents of kidney were decreased (p<0.05). Zn contents of heart and spleen were decreased by CuP (p<0.05). The results from the study were generally in favour of the group with CuSO4 addition however, it can be stated that organic copper source was absorbed beter, taking into account the high serum Cu concentration in the group with CuP addition.
Hulya Ozkul, Figen Kirkpinar, Selim Mert and Bora Unlu, 2011. Effects of High Levels of Dietary Copper Sulfate and Copper Proteinate on Growth Performance, Retention for Copper and Zinc of Rats. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 1373-1377.