Studies on Copper Metabolism

Abstract

The plasma Cu level of adult male rats was markedly decreased by restricting the dietary intake of Cu and increased by the intramusc. injn. of turpentine, of a bacterial culture, of typhoid vaccine, or of milk. The magnitude of the hyper-cupremia which followed intramusc. admn. of turpentine was markedly limited when the dietary intake of Cu was restricted, but was not influenced by the admn. of ACTH or cortisone. The admn. of propylthiouracil for a prolonged period to normal adult rats resulted in a slight but significant increase in the plasma Cu level. Admn. of desiccated thyroid was without influence.