Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of different level and source of copper supplementation on immune response and copper dependent enzyme activity in lambs

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on 30 male Nellore lambs with average body weight (BW) of 15.45 ± 0.06 kg to determine the level of the copper (Cu) supplementation in diet from inorganic and organic sources required for optimum immunity and its effect on copper dependent enzymes by allotting them randomly to five groups in completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were viz., basal diet (no Cu supplementation, BD), other four groups were offered BD supplemented with 7 or 14 ppm Cu from copper sulphate (CuSO4) and Cu-proteinate, respectively. The lambs were fed the respective diets at 3.5 per cent BW to meet the requirements except Cu for 180 days. The humoral immune response against Brucella abortus and chicken RBC was assessed after 90 days of feeding. The in vivo delayed type hyper sensitivity reaction against PHA-P and in vitro lymphocyte proliferation against Con A indicative of cell mediated immune response (CMI) was assayed at 180 days of feeding. At the end of experiment four lambs from each group were slaughtered for estimation of liver superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). The ceruloplasmin and RBC-SOD activities were higher (P < 0.05) in 14 ppm Cu supplemented lambs from Cu-proteinate at 90 and 180 days, while the liver SOD activity was higher (P < 0.05) in lambs fed 14 ppm Cu from CuSO4. The STAT titres against B. abortus were higher in Cu supplemented lambs, with no effect of dose of supplementation. Lambs supplemented with Cu-proteinate had higher titers than CuSO4 on 7 and 14 days of post sensitization. The total immunoglobulin concentration and the CMI response against PHA-P and Con-A was higher (P < 0.05) in lambs fed 14 ppm Cu-proteinae diet. The IgM level was though high in Cu supplemented lambs, no dose or source effect were observed. The study indicated that Cu dependent enzymes activity and immune response were highest and respond better against stress in lambs on 14 ppm supplemented Cu from Cu-proteinate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CMI:

Cell mediated immune response

Con A:

Concanavalin A

DM:

Dry matter

DTH:

Delayed type hypersensitivity

HA:

Haemaglutination

ICAR:

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

LPA:

Lymphocyte proliferation assay

O− 2 :

Superoxide radical

PHA-P:

Phytohaemagglutinin phosphate

PRBC:

Porcine red blood cell(s)

RBPT:

Rose bengal plate test

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

STAT:

Standard tube agglutination test

References

  • Alton, G. G., Jones, L. M. and Pietz, D.E., 1975. Laboratory techniques in brucellosis, 2nd edn, (WHO Monograph Series, 55, WHO, Geneva)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartoskewitz, M.L., Hewitt, D.G., Laurenz, J.C., Pitts, J.S. and Bryant, F.C., 2007. Effect of dietary copper and zinc concentration on white- tailed deer antler growth, body size, and immune system function. Small Ruminant Research, 73, 87–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bala, S. and Failla, M. L., 1992. Copper deficiency reversibly impairs DNA synthesis in activated T lymphocytes by limiting interleukin-2 activity. Proceeding of National Academic Science USA, 89, 6794–6797.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bounous, D. I., Raymond, P., Campagnoli, and Brown, J., 1992. Comparison of MTT colorimetric assay and tritiated thymidine uptake for lymphocyte proliferation assays using chicken splenocytes. Avian Diseases, 36, 1022–1027

  • Cannan, R. K., 1958. Clinical chemistry 4: 246–251 C F Text book of clinical practical Biochemsitry, Varley, H 1991 Vol. I, 5th edn, (CBS publisher and Distributors, pp 479–480)

  • Dorton, K.C., Engle, T.E., Hamar, D.W., Siciliano, P.D. and Yemm, R.S., 2003. Effects of copper source and concentration on copper status and immune function in growing and finishing steers. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 110, 31–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eckert, G.E., Gren, L.W., Carstens, G.E. and Ramsey, W.S., 1999. Copper status of ewes fed increasing amounts of copper from copper sulphate or copper proteinate. Journal of Animal Science, 77, 244–249

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gengelbach, G.P. and Spears, J.W., 1998. Effects of dietary copper and molybdenum on copper status, cytokine production and humoral immune response of calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 81, 3286–3292

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harmon, R.J., 1998. Trace minerals and dairy cattle: Importance for udder health. In: Biotechnology in the Feed industry. Eds. T.P. Lyons and K.A. Jacques. Nottingham University Press, U.K. pp: 485–495.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houchin, O.B., 1958. A rapid calorimetric method for the quantitative determination of copper oxidase (ceruloplasmin). Clinical Chemistry, 4, 519

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ICAR, 1998. Nutrient requirement of Livestock and Poultry, (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi pp 6)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kegley, E.B. and Spears, J.W., 1994. Bioavailability of Feed grade copper source (Oxide-sulfate or lysine) in growing cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 72, 2728–2734

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kehoe, C.A., Turley, E., Bonham, M.P., O’Connor, J.M., McKeown, A., Faughnan, M.S., Coulter, J.S., Gilmore, W.S., Howard, A.N. and Strain, J.J., 2000. Response of putative indices of copper status to copper supplementation in human subjects. British Journal of Nutrition, 84: 151–156

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuby, J., 1994. Immunology, 2nd edn. (W.H., Freeman and Company, NY, USA)

    Google Scholar 

  • Linder, M.C. and Hazegh-Azam, M., 1996. Copper biochemistry and molecular biology. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 63: 797S–811S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, O.H., Rosenbrough, J.J., Farr, A.L. and Randall, R.J., 1951. Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 193, 265–275

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marklund, S.L., 1982. Human copper containing superoxide dismutase of high molecular weight. Proceeding of National Academic Science USA, 79, 7634–7638

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCord, J.M. and Irwin Fridovich, 1969. Superoxide dismutase an enzymic function for erythrocuprein (Hemocuprein). Journal of Biological chemistry, 244, 6049–6055

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minatel, L. and Carfagnini, J.C., 2000. Copper deficiency and immune response in ruminants. Nutrition Research, 20, 1519–1529

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mosmann, T.J., 1983. Rapid colorimetric assay for cellular growth and survival: Application to proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. Journal of Immunological Methods, 65: 55–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishiyama, Y., Ikeda, H., Haramaki, N., Yoshida, N. and Imaizumi, T., 1998. Oxidative stress is related to exercise intolerance in patients with heart failure. American Heart Journal, 135, 115–120

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quist, C.F., Howerth, E.W., Bounous, D.I. and Stallknecht, D.E., 1997. Cell mediated immune response and IL-2 production in white triated deer experimentally infected with haemorrhage disease viruses. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 56, 283–297

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roitt, I., Brostoff, J. and Male, D., 1993. Cell Cooperation in the antibody response. In:Gamlin, L., Edn, Immunology, (Molsby, London, UK)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, R.A. and Koshland, M.E., 1981. Identification of a lymphocyte enzyme that catalyzes pentamer immunoglobulin M assembly. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 256, 4633–4639

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salyer, G.B., Galyean, M.L., Defoor, P.J., Nunnery, G.A., Parsons, C.H. and Rivera, J.D., 2004. Effects of copper and zinc source on performance and humoral immune response of newly received, lightweight beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 82, 2467–2473

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Senthilkumar, P., Nagalakshmi, D., Reddy, Y.R. and Sudhakar, K., 2007. Influence of level and source of copper supplementation on blood biochemical profile and copper status in Nellore lambs. Proceedings of Indian Society of Animal production and Management, held at College of Veterinary Science, Tirupati, India, pp- 117

  • Solaiman, S.G., Craig Jr,. T.J., Reddy, G. and Shoemaker, C.E., 2007. Effect of high levels of Cu supplement on growth performance, rumen fermentation and immune response in goat kids. Small ruminant research, 69, 115–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spears, J.W., 2000. Micronutrients and immune function in cattle. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 59, 587–594

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SPSS, 1997. Statistical package for social sciences, (Base Applications Guide 7.5. SPSS, Chicago, USA)

  • Suttle, N.F., 1994. Meeting the copper requirements of ruminants In: Gransworthy, P.G. and Cole, D.J.A., edn, Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition, (Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, pp 173–188)

    Google Scholar 

  • Turnlund, J.R., Jacob, R.A., Keen, C.L., Strain, J.J., Kelly, D.S., Domek, J.M., Keyes, W.R., Ensunsa, J.L., Lykkesfeldt, J. and Coulter, J. 2004. Long-term high copper intake: effects on indexes of copper status, antioxidant status, and immune function in young men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 79, 1037–1044

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, J. D., Gengelbach, G. P. and Spears, J. W., 1997. The effects of copper deficiency with or without high dietary Iron or Molybdenum on immune function of cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 75, 1400–1408

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wegmann, N. T. G. and Smithies, O., 1966. A simple haemagglutination system requiring small amounts of red cells and antibodies transfusion. Philadelphia, 6, 67

    Google Scholar 

  • Xin, Z., Waterman, D. F., Hemken, R. W., and Harmon, R. J., 1991. Effects of copper status on neutrophil function, superoxide dismutase and copper distribution in stress. Journal of Dairy Science, 74, 3078–3085

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. D. Nagalakshmi & Y. Ramana Reddy

    Present address: Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, 500 030, India

  2. P. Senthilkumar

    Present address: Division of dairy Cattle Nutrition, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India

  3. K. Sudhakar

    Present address: Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, 500 030, India

    P. Senthilkumar & K. Sudhakar

Authors
  1. P. Senthilkumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Nagalakshmi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Y. Ramana Reddy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. K. Sudhakar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Nagalakshmi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Senthilkumar, P., Nagalakshmi, D., Ramana Reddy, Y. et al. Effect of different level and source of copper supplementation on immune response and copper dependent enzyme activity in lambs. Trop Anim Health Prod 41, 645–653 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9236-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9236-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation