Trace element supplementation of sheep: evaluation of various copper supplements and a soluble glass bullet containing copper, cobalt and selenium

The effect of 5 different copper supplements on copper status of Merino sheep at pasture was examined. Transient increases in plasma copper concentrations occurred following treatment with copper calcium EDTA, copper sulphate, and glass bullets impregnated with copper, cobalt and selenium, but these increases were not considered to be a reliable indication of changes in liver copper reserves. Sheep receiving the glass bullet or 2.5 g oxidised copper wire particles orally or 50 mg copper as copper calcium EDTA parenterally had liver copper concentrations significantly greater than those of untreated sheep for periods up to 51 weeks. Oral doses of 30 mg copper as copper oxychloride, or 300 mg copper as copper sulphate did not alter the liver copper reserves at any stage. The bodyweight and greasy fleece weights were not significantly altered by any of the copper supplements. Plasma vitamin B12 concentrations in sheep given the glass bullet were increased for about 5 months. Thereafter increased plasma vitamin B12 concentrations were observed in all sheep. Blood selenium concentrations were also high during the experiment thereby preventing the evaluation of the glass bullet as a source of selenium.