Time and Level of Response of Plasma, Liver, Bone, Leachable and Stable Hair Fractions to Copper Deficiency and Loading in the Rat

In this study, 20 adult female rats were divided into two groups to investigate the effects of copper (Cu) deficiency and supplementation over four months. One group received a diet with less than 1 p.p.m. Cu, while the other group received increasing levels of Cu supplementation. The study found that although no clinical symptoms of Cu deficiency were observed, there was a significant decrease in blood and liver Cu levels from the first month, which persisted throughout the experiment. Stable hair Cu also decreased slightly in the first month and continued to decline. However, hair leachable Cu and bone Cu remained unaffected by the deficiency. An increase in liver Cu was noted at the highest level of Cu intake in the fourth month.