Effect of various levels of dietary copper on liver transaminases, total immunoglobulin and antioxidant status in hariana heifers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of copper containing mineral supplements on liver transaminase, total immunoglobulin and antioxidant status in heifers (Hariana; Bos indicus). Eighteen heifers were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments (average body weight 145.0±1.0 kg, age 14-18 months) having 6 animals in each and fed for a period of 60 days. Control group G1 was fed basal ration (9.8 mg Cu/kg) comprising of concentrate mixture, berseem and wheat straw without mineral supplementation, G2 (50.1 mg Cu/kg) and G3 (90.4 mg Cu/kg) were supplemented with mineral supplements containing 2.1 and 4.2% CuSO4, respectively. During 60 days feeding trial, blood samples were collected to analyze for liver enzymes (ALT and AST), total immunoglobulin and total antioxidant activity (FRAP assay). Supplementation of Cu containing mineral mixture above (50 or 90 mg Cu/kg DM) physiological requirement did not adversely affected (P>0.05) liver transaminase activity, immune status and antioxidant status. It may be concluded that a Cu level (50 ppm) higher than recommended (10 ppm) may be supplemented in the diet of growing animals without compromising health, improving tissue quality and productivity.

Keywords:

Antioxidant , Copper , Heifers , Immunoglobulin , Transaminase