Copper Deficiency Conditioned by High Levels of Zinc, Manganese, and Iron in the Médio Paraíba Region, RJ, Brazil
June 2013
in “
Semina Ciências Agrárias
”
Studysummary This study found that although soil and forage in Middle Paraíba, Brazil, contained normal to high copper levels, the surrounding bovine populations showed signs of copper deficiency likely due to antagonistic effects from high iron, zinc, and manganese levels.
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In the Middle Paraíba region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a study was conducted on 7 areas with bovines showing signs of poor health, including alopecia, depigmentation, and weight loss. Despite normal to high copper levels in soil and forage, the animals exhibited low serum copper levels, suggesting a deficiency. This discrepancy was attributed to high concentrations of iron, zinc, and manganese in the soil and pastures, which likely interfered with copper absorption, leading to a conditioned copper deficiency. The study highlighted the impact of mineral interactions on animal health.
