Effect of copper supplementation on ovarian function and blood profiles of native goats in grazing copper-deficient alfalfa desert oasis [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference.

The effects of copper supplementation were studied in twenty female native goats grazing irrigated alfalfa and supplemented with corn, 250 g/day in a copper-deficient oasis in the Egyptian desert in an experiment for 5 weaks. The alfalfa was low in copper (3.8 ppm) and high in iron (482 ppm). The animals were divided into two groups of 10 animals each. The first group was orally supplemented with 15 ml copper sulfate solution daily and the second group was kept as control. Number and sizes of ovarian follicles were recorded three times per week during week 4 and 5 from the onset of treatment. Plasma metabolites, hormones and copper concentrations were determined. Numbers and sizes of follicles were significantly (P<0.05) increased by copper treatment. Pregnancy rate was high (P<0.05) in copper group (100%) if compared to control (67%). Plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, creatinine, glucose (during week 5 of treatment), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4; during weeks 3, 4 and 5 of treatment) were higher (P<0.05) in copper group. Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen decreased (P<0.05) whereas concentration of progesterone during luteal phase was higher in copper group than that of control (3.42 ± 0.29 ng/ml vs. 2.65 ± 0.44 ng/ml; P<0.05). In conclusions, blood metabolites, ovarian activity and reproductive performance could be improved as results of copper sulfate administration to native goats in subtropics Cu-deficient oasis.

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