The role of metallothionein and zinc in hepatic copper accumulation in cattle

The role of metallothionein (MT) and zinc (Zn) in hepatic copper (Cu) accumulation in calves from a region in North-West Spain has been investigated. In this region there is intensive pig farming, and animals with liver Cu concentrations above normal are not uncommon. Concentrations of hepatic MT were not related to Cu accumulation but were strongly dependent on the Zn status of the animal. When analysing the metal content bound to MT it was observed that Cu-MT values, in the same way as Zn-MT, were directly correlated with MT concentrations in the liver, indicating that although Cu is a poor inducer of MT synthesis, it can compete with Zn for MT binding sites. The ability of Cu to displace Zn from MT is highly dependent on the Cu:Zn ratio in the cell, Cu being the main metal in MT at the higher levels of Cu exposure in Galician cattle. In spite of this, the percentage of the total hepatic Cu bound to MT is very low in these animals, indicating that cattle have a very limited capacity to accumulate Cu-MT in the liver, and may therefore have a greater susceptibility to Cu toxicosis.