Molybdenum and sulphate in the diet and the effect on the molybdenum content of the milk of grazing sheep

Abstract

Milk from Romney ewes grazing on molybdate-top-dressed pasture was examined for molybdenum content. When the molybdenum content of the pasture was raised there was a rise in the molybdenum content of the milk. This rise was influenced by the sulphate content of the diet; when the sulphate was low, molybdenum was secreted in the milk to a greater extent than when sulphate was high. The milk was divided into fractions, and over 80 per cent of the molybdenum was found in the aqueous remainder after fat, casein, and albumin had been removed.