Effect of Dietary Molybdenum and Sulfate upon Urinary Excretion of Copper in Sheep ,

Abstract

The effects of 0.4% sulfate alone and in combination with 50 ppm of dietary molybdenum, upon kidney level and urinary excretion of both radiocopper and stable copper were studied in sheep. All data indicated that the addition of molybdenum plus inorganic sulfate to the diet resulted in greater accumulation of copper in the kidney and its increased excretion by way of the urine. Urine volume was increased greatly when molybdenum plus inorganic sulfate was added to the diet and the increased filtration in the kidney may have contributed to the increased urinary copper. Supplemental inorganic sulfate alone had no effect upon those parameters of copper metabolism which were studied.