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Influence of Ration Copper on Minerals in the Hair of Hereford and Holstein Calves^{1, 2,}

University of Tennessee-Agricultural Research Laboratory,^,5 Oak Ridge and Washington State University, Pullman

Abstract

COPPER (Cu) deficiency has been reported as causing depigmentation of hair in cattle (Davis, 1950; Davis, Kidder and Comar, 1946) and a dull, discolored coat (Allcroft and Lewis, 1957). Davis (1958) suggested that interaction of molybdenum (Mo) and Cu may cause achromotrichia of the hair through the suppression by Mo of the copper-activated enzyme, tyrosinase. Vanderveen and Keener (1964) reported that Holstein heifers on a low Cu diet (2 ppm) and from 5 to 50 ppm of Mo did not develop loss of hair color, but other animals receiving 50 ppm of Mo did develop loss of hair color after 225 days. Chapman and Bell (1963) reported on the availability of various compounds of copper and their absorption and excretion patterns in beef cattle.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of dietary copper on the pigmentation of hair and the concentration of copper, sodium, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, iron and potassium in the hair of calves.

¹ Published with the approval of the Directors of the Tennessee and Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations, Scientific Paper No. 3301, College of Agriculture, Pullman, Washington.

² The appreciation of the authors is extended to R. A. Reynolds and Helen Scott for their assistance in this experiment.

³ Oak Ridge Associated Universities Research Participant on sabbatical leave from the Department of Animal Sciences. Washington State University, Pullman. Present address: Washington State University, Pullman 99163.

⁴ Present address: A.R.S.—U.S.D.A., Knoxville, Tennessee.

⁵ Agricultural Research Laboratory of the University of Tennessee operated by the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station for the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission under Contract AT-40-1-GEN-242.