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Effect of Inorganic Molybdenum and Type of Roughage on the Bovine^1,2,

University of Nevada, Reno

Abstract

Thirty-two weanling Hereford heifers were randomly allotted to the following four experimental treatments: alfalfa; alfalfa and molybdenum; grass and cottonseed meal; grass, cottonseed meal, and molybdenum. Animals were fed hay ad libitum, with animals on grass diets receiving 1 lb. of cottonseed meal per day to equilibrate weight gains with alfalfa groups. Inorganic molybdenum was fed at the rate of 100 ppm of the diet. Plasma, liver, and skeletal samples were analyzed periodically. Digestion and balance studies were also conducted. Inorganic molybdenum created severe symptoms of molybdenum toxicity. No differences were noted between either the grass hay or the alfalfa in regard to degree of molybdenum toxicity. At these levels molybdenum was stored in skeletal tissue. Plasma molybdenum was the best indication of a diet high in molybdenum, while liver molybdenum levels increased at a slower rate. Interactions of molybdenum and copper were not clear-cut. Some indications of copper depletion were noted, although some symptoms of hypocuprosis were not evident. Digestion and balance studies did not give any evidence of the mode of molybdenum toxicity. Animals receiving molybdenum stored between 76 and 148 mg. of molybdenum daily. An interaction between hay and molybdenum was apparent in tissue concentrations of molybdenum and certain balance criteria. Animals that received grass hay and molybdenum retained more molybdenum than those animals that received alfalfa hay and molybdenum.

¹ Supported in part by a grant from the Soils and Plant Nutrition Laboratory, U.S.D.A., Ithaca, New York.

² The assistance of Ronald Lynch throughout this entire study is appreciated.