Short communication: Some observations on an incident of copper deficiency in local dairy calves in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Copper is needed for functioning of enzyme systems, as a component 
of various body pigments, red blood cells production and maintenance, and 
is involved in bone metabolism, central nervous system and heart function, 
Copper is interrelated with other minerals mainly Mo, S, Zn and other 
minerals in addition to protein. 
With the exception of P, deficiency,of Cu is the most severe limitation 
to livestock in grazing areas of the tropics (Mc Dowel, et. al., 1983). 
Ward (1977), categorized Cu deficiency into four groups where the 
feed contained high levels of Mo (more than 20 ppm); low Cu but sig
nificant amounts of Mo; deficient in Cu (less than 5 ppm); and normal 
Cu and low Mo, with high levels of soluble protein (rich in S) which 
eventually result in unavailable copper sulfide. 
The major clinical signs of Cu deficiency include scours, pale mem
brane of the eyes and mouth, rough hair, slow growth and loss of body 
weight (but these are not necessarily visible in certain cases of Cu defi
ciency). Another symptom includes development of fragile bones, par
ticularly the long bones, resulting in the difficulty of walking and the 
bones break easily (Mc Dowel et. al., 1983). Genetic variations in the 
susceptibility of animals to Cu deficiency were also reported (Wiener 
and Field, 1970). 
Cases of Cu deficiency were reported in the Sultanate of Oman par
ticularly among small ruminants. Ivan, et. al. (1987) reported cases of 
Cu - deficiency in goats in the Sultanate, however, it was rarely observed 
in cattle. 
In this study two local (Zebu) dairy calves born at Rumais Livestock 
Research Station of the Sultanate of Oman, were observed to show 
signs of hind limb paralysis and lack of coordination with one of the 
calves completely unable to stand. The calves also had enlarged joints 
grossly indistinguishable from those of rickets (figure 1). The signs 
were typical of the acute forms of Cu deficiency observed by Ivan et. 
al. (1987) for small ruminants in the Sultanate of Oman. Accordingly, it 
was decided to collect serum samples from the abnormal calves and 
their dams and analyse them for Ca, P and Cu. For comparative purposes 
serum Ca, P and Cu were also determined for two normal Jersey calves, 
one normal crossbred (Jersey X local) calf and their dams. The three 
minerals were assayed using spectrophotometry (Perkin - Elmer 552 UV - VIS).