铅暴露与排放对中华鲟幼鱼血液中碱性磷酸酶、乳酸脱氢酶及肌酸激酶活力的影响

采用水溶液静态置换法,从中华鲟受精卵发育至96h开始,进行了16周的Pb暴露试验和6周的Pb排放试验,研究了不同浓度Pb2+水溶液(0、0.2、0.8和1.6mg.L-1)对中华鲟幼鱼血液中碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和肌酸激酶(CK)活力的影响。Pb暴露后结果显示:幼鱼血液中的ALP活力总体表现为随Pb暴露剂量增加而下降的趋势,其中1.6mg.L-1组极显著低于其他各组(P0.01);幼鱼血液中的LDH和CK活力均表现为随Pb暴露剂量增加而升高的趋势,其中LDH活力只在1.6mg.L-1组显著升高(P0.05);而CK对Pb浓度则比较敏感,0.8mg.L-1组达到对照组的8倍(P0.01),1.6mg.L-1组则高达对照组的20倍(P0.01)。Pb排放后结果显示:幼鱼血液中的ALP活力总体仍表现为随Pb暴露剂量增加而下降的趋势,但各暴露组之间比较差异不显著(P0.05);幼鱼血液中LDH活力各组之间均无显著差异(P0.05)。积累和排放对比显示,血液中的ALP活力在0.8和1.6mg.L-1组有所回升但无显著差异(P0.05);而LDH活力在1.6mg.L-1组极显著降低(P0.01),表现出明显恢复。初步认为:经1.6mg.L-1Pb2+暴露后的中华鲟幼鱼会发生代谢异常;血液CK变化较ALP和LDH更为明显,是Pb污染的敏感指标。     

温度对中华鲟幼鱼血液生化指标的影响

分别在15℃、20℃、25℃和30℃水温养殖中华鲟幼鱼66d,研究温度对中华鲟幼鱼8项血液生化指标的影响。结果表明:中华鲟幼鱼血液中能源物质总蛋白、白蛋白、血糖、总胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白浓度变化规律相似,均呈现先升高后降低的趋势,而且均在20℃时达到最高值,分别为15.98g·L-1、5.6g·L-1、4.85mmol·L-1、2.44mmol·L-1和0.61U.L-1;在30℃时血液总蛋白、白蛋白、血糖、总胆固醇和甘油三酯浓度达到最低值,分别为8.93g·L-1、3.1g·L-1、2.26mmol·L-1、1.34mmol·L-1和3.35mmol·L-1;代谢产物总胆红素浓度呈现先降低后升高的趋势,在15℃组最高,在25℃组最低,分别为2.50±0.84和1.65±0.10mmol·L-1;尿素浓度随着温度升高而下降,在30℃时最低,为0.54±0.36mmol·L-1,显著低于15℃组和20℃组。综合不同温度组中华鲟幼鱼血液生化指标的变动规律表明,20℃时中华鲟幼鱼能量支出较少,是其较适宜的生长温度。     

水环境中不同浓度K+、Ca2+对大鳞鲃幼鱼存活率、耗氧率和窒息点的影响

通过单因子静态急性毒性试验和呼吸生理试验,研究了盐度10的水体中不同K+、Ca2+浓度对大鳞鲃(Barbus capito)幼鱼存活率、耗氧率和窒息点的影响.结果表明:在K+浓度3.78 ～ 435.30 mg-L-1(对照组为117.55 mg· L-1)和Ca2+浓度11.01 ～ 1535.90 mg·L-1(对照组为116.59 mg· L-1)水质条件下,大鳞鲃幼鱼存活率均为100％.96 h高浓度K+的LC50为515.01 mg· L-1,低浓度Ca2+的LC50为5.47 mg·L-1.在耗氧率和窒息点试验中,低浓度K+组[(3.75±0.17) mg·L-1]大鳞鲃幼鱼在整个试验过程中的耗氧率和窒息点均未出现显著性变化(P＞0.05);高浓度K+组[(451.67±10.23) mg· L-1]耗氧率在前48 h未出现显著性变化(P＞0.05),72和96 h与对照组[(115.29±0.68) mg·L-1]相比,耗氧率显著提高(P＜0.05);临界窒息点和绝对窒息点与对照组相比均显著升高(P＜0.05).Ca2+试验中,高Ca2+组[(1290.10±15.75) mg·L-1]和低Ca2+组[(8.87±0.34) mg·L-1]表现为相同趋势,即前24 h时高浓度Ca2+组和低浓度Ca2+组耗氧率均比对照组[(117.57±1.68) mg·L-1]有显著升高(P＜0.05),48 h后,高浓度Ca2+组和低浓度Ca2+组耗氧率恢复到对照组水平并持续至96 h试验结束.无论低浓度Ca2+组还是高浓度Ca2+组,大鳞鲃幼鱼的临界窒息点与绝对窒息点都显著升高(P＜0.05).综上所述,大鳞鲃幼鱼对水体中K+、Ca2+具有较强的耐受性,尤其是低浓度K+和高浓度Ca2+.     

光色对豹纹鳃棘鲈(Plectropomus leopardus)幼鱼生长及血液生化指标的影响

为了探索光色对鱼类的生长和血清生化指标的影响,利用一个小型循环水养殖系统中的不同养殖水槽,设置了白光、红光、黄光、绿光和黑暗5种光照环境,对豹纹鳃棘鲈(Plectropomus leopardus)幼鱼(体长19.67±1.26 cm,体质量92.92±4.05 g)进行了120 d的养殖实验。结果表明:光色对豹纹鳃棘鲈的生长和存活的影响存在显著性差异,绿光组幼鱼的存活率和体质量均最大,白光组幼鱼的肝胰脏指数(HSI)最高;白光组幼鱼的血糖、血脂和蛋白质的含量均低于其他4组;白光组幼鱼的谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的含量最高,白光组幼鱼的LDH显著高于红光组和绿光组;白光组幼鱼的肌酐(CREA)和尿素氮(BUN)含量高于其他4组(P0.05);5种光色下的幼鱼血液中的无机离子含量除Mg~(2+)外,Ca~(2+)、P~(3+)、Na~+和K~+均无显著性差异。综合生长、存活及血清生化指标分析,5种光色中,绿光最适宜豹纹鳃棘鲈幼鱼生长和存活。     

Cu和丹皮酚磺酸钠处理对凤丹根系生长、丹皮酚含量及H+-ATPase活性的影响

采用水培法,研究了Cu单一处理及Cu与EGTA和丹皮酚磺酸钠(SPS)复合处理对凤丹(Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Feng Dan’)幼苗根长、根系中Cu和丹皮酚含量的影响,并研究了Cu和SPS单一及复合处理对幼苗根系离体质膜和液泡膜微囊H+-ATPase活性的影响.结果显示:经5μmol·L-1Cu处理后凤丹幼苗根长和丹皮酚含量均略高于对照但总体上差异不显著;经10、20和30 μmol·L-1 Cu处理后,幼苗根长和丹皮酚含量总体上均低于对照,且随Cu浓度增加和处理时间延长,降幅增大.与10 μmol·L-1Cu单一处理相比,10 μmol·L-1Cu- 10μmol·L-1EGTA和10 μmo1.L-1Cu-10 μmol·L-1 SPS复合处理均可以使根系中Cu含量显著降低、丹皮酚含量显著提高;其中,10μmol·L-1Cu-10 μmol·L-1EGTA处理组幼苗根系中Cu含量的降低幅度最大,而10 μmol·L-1 Cu-10 μmol·L-1SPS处理组幼苗根系中丹皮酚含量的增加幅度最大且显著高于对照.与对照相比,经5、10和20μmol · L-1 Cu单一处理后丹凤根系离体质膜和液泡膜微囊H+-ATPase活性均降低,且随Cu浓度提高降低幅度增大;而经0.1、0.2、0.5和1.0μmol·L-1SPS单一处理总体上可使膜微囊H+-ATPase活性逐渐增加;与10 μmol·L-1Cu单一处理相比,10 μmol·L-1Cu与0.1、0.2和0.5 μmol·L-1SPS复合处理均可使膜微囊H+- ATPase活性提高,且H+-ATPase活性均呈现随SPS浓度提高逐渐增加的趋势.研究结果揭示:较高浓度Cu胁迫对凤丹幼苗根系生长及丹皮酚合成以及质膜和液泡膜微囊H+-ATPase活性均有明显抑制作用,但添加外源丹皮酚磺酸钠对Cu胁迫伤害具有一定的缓解效应.     

水环境中不同Ca~(2+)浓度对青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)幼鱼生存生长的影响

作为典型的盐碱湖泊,青海湖水钙离子浓度仅为同盐度海水的1/10。本试验采用单因子静态急性毒性和室内生长试验方法,研究了不同Ca2+浓度对青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)幼鱼生存和生长的影响,以期了解适宜青海湖裸鲤幼鱼生长的钙离子浓度范围。结果表明:在Ca2+浓度为0~2431.10 mg·L-1(约为同盐度海水值的0~20倍)水体中,96 h内青海湖裸鲤幼鱼100%存活;在为期60 d的生长试验中,高Ca2+浓度组(1246.02±9.83)mg·L-1与低Ca2+浓度组(10.83±0.11)mg·L-1青海湖裸鲤幼鱼存活率均在95%以上,而体长、体重、体长绝对生长率、体重绝对生长率和特定生长率均显著低于对照组(120.65±1.62)mg·L-1(P0.05),各指标的排列顺序依次为:高Ca2+浓度组低Ca2+浓度组对照组,高Ca2+浓度组的特定生长率仅为对照组的54.62%。综上所述,青海湖裸鲤幼鱼可耐受的Ca2+范围较广,但过低或过高的Ca2+浓度均会导致青海湖裸鲤生长缓慢,且高Ca2+浓度抑制效果更为明显。     

人工养殖中华鲟幼鱼摄食不同饵料的转化效率与生长特性

利用水蚯蚓与人工饲料分别投喂7月龄中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)幼鱼,研究不同饵料对中华鲟幼鱼转化效率与生长特性的影响.结果表明:经过60 d生长,水蚯蚓组、人工饲料组中华鲟幼鱼的平均体长分别从177.0、191.6 mm增至216.6、332.5 mm,体质量分别从32.73、44.39 g增至58.27、264.71 g;水蚯蚓组、人工饲料组中华鲟幼鱼的饵料转化率分别为6.67～39.33、0.89～1.26,特定生长率分别为0.19%～2.33%、1.38%～3.94%.生长效率分别为2.54%～14.99%、79.56%～204.44%;人工饲料组中华鲟幼鱼的生长速度快于水蚯蚓组,肥满度大于水蚯蚓组;2个试验组中华鲟幼鱼的体长与体质量均呈幂函数关系,各阶段幂指数b值均小于3,表明中华鲟幼鱼为异速生长;水蚯蚓组中华鲟幼鱼肌肉的水分湿质量含量为82.23%±0.79%,蛋白干质量含量为62.79%±1.34%,均略比人工饲料组高;综合饵料转化效率与各项生长指标,表明人工饲料比水蚯蚓更适宜作为中华鲟幼鱼阶段的人工养殖饵料.     

饲喂不同浓度黄曲霉毒素B1饲料对花鳗鲡幼鱼生长、抗氧化能力和毒素积累的影响

以含不同浓度黄曲霉毒素B₁(AFB₁) (0、10、100和1000 μg/kg饲料)的4种饲料饲喂平均初始体重为(6.41±0.10) g的花鳗鲡(Anguilla marmorata)幼鱼56d, 探讨AFB₁对花鳗鲡幼鱼生长性能、抗氧化能力、肝脏组织结构及鱼体肌肉中的毒素积累的影响。结果表明, 各实验组幼鱼均未表现出行为及体色的异常。1000 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼的存活率、终末体重、摄食率、特定生长率和饲料效率显著低于对照组, 10 μg/kg毒素组和100 μg/kg毒素组与对照组无显著差异。10 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量与对照组无显著差异。饲料AFB₁含量≥100 μg/kg显著影响花鳗鲡幼鱼肝脏的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)活性。对照组和10 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼肝脏组织学观察未发现明显病理变化。1000 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼的肝脏细胞表现出严重的空泡化。随着饲料AFB₁水平的升高, 幼鱼肝脏和肌肉中AFB₁积累量均显著升高。1000 μg/kg毒素组幼鱼肝脏和肌肉中AFB₁积累量分别为17.75和5.98 μg/kg, 均超过FDA食品安全限定标准(5 μg/kg)。由此可见, 饲料中AFB₁≤10 μg/kg对花鳗鲡幼鱼是相对安全的浓度。     

铜胁迫对紫花苜蓿幼苗叶片抗氧化系统的影响

采用1/4强度Hoagland营养液培养法研究了不同浓度Cu处理(O、10、30、50、100μmol·L-1 CuSO4)对紫花苜蓿幼苗叶片生理生化特性的影响.结果表明:30、50、100μmol·L-1 Cu处理使叶片中过氧化氢(H2O2)、羟基自由基(OH·)和丙二醛(MDA)含量升高;随Cu浓度的增加,愈创木酚过氧化物酶(POD)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性逐渐上升,过氧化氢酶(CAT)和葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G6PDH)的活性先上升后下降;30、50、100 μmol·L-1Cu处理增强Fe-SOD和酯酶(EST)的活性,使叶片中谷胱甘肽(GSH)和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量显著升高.＞10 μmol·L-1的Cu处理下,叶片中抗氧化系统清除活性氧的能力上升,以防止叶片在Cu诱导的氧化胁迫下受到伤害.     

血清胱抑素C在百草枯中毒所致急性肾功能损伤中的早期诊断意义

目的:探讨急性百草枯中毒(acute paraquat poisoning,APP)患者血清胱抑素C(ScysC)水平对百草枯所致急性肾功能损伤(acute renal injury,AKI)早期诊断的意义和临床价值.方法:以43例急性百草枯中毒患者和20例健康体检者为研究对象,通过紫外分光光度法检测患者入院时百草枯的血药浓度,并据此将患者分为0～5mg·L-1组、5～10mg·L-1组、＞ 10mg·L-1组,检测患者入院第1天内血肌酐(SCr)、尿素氮(Urea)、ScysC的水平.结果:不同的百草枯血药浓度组SCr和Urea的水平与对照组比较均无显著性差异(P＞0.05);0～5mg· L-1组ScysC的水平与对照组比较无显著性差异(P＞0.05),但5～10mg·L-1组及＞10mg·L-1组ScysC的水平均显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),且与血药浓度呈显著正相关;入院第1天内5～10mg· L-1组及＞10mg· L-1组的ScysC异常检出率均显著高于各组SCr和Urea异常检出率(P＜0.05).结论:ScysC能更早地反映APP所致AKI,且与中毒程度呈正相关性,可能是APP发病早期一个较SCr、Urea更敏感反映患者病情的指标.     

Serum copper and zinc concentrations in a representative sample of the Canarian population.

Serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of 395 individuals (187 males + 208 females) living in Canary Islands were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean copper and zinc concentrations were 1.10 +/- 0.25 mg/L and 1.16 +/- 0.52 mg/L respectively. Our data were similar to other data published in other Spanish regions. Individuals from Lanzarote presented a mean Cu and Zn concentrations higher (p < 0.05) than individuals from the rest of islands; Individuals from EL Hierro showed the lowest (p < 0.05) mean Zn concentration. These differences could be attributed a differences in Cu and Zn contents of soil and/or differences in dietary habits of the populations. The mean serum Cu concentration in females was higher (p < 0.05) than in males, however serum Zn concentration did not vary with the sex of the subjects. No relation to socio-economic status and educational level were found with respect to the serum Cu and Zn concentrations. The serum Cu concentration varied with age of individuals, observing the highest (p < 0.05) Cu concentration in the 20-30 year old interval. A higher serum Cu concentration in females within 20-30 year old interval was observed. This could be due to a higher use of oral contraceptives or to the higher number of pregnancies. Boys (younger than 15) showed a decrease (p < 0.05) of the serum Cu concentration with age. The mean Zn concentrations in serum did not change (p > 0.05) among the different age intervals. No clear trends in the serum Cu and Zn concentrations were observed when drinking and smoking habits were considered. The increase of physical exercise reduced (p < 0.05) the serum Cu concentrations.     

Effect of copper sulfate on the immune response and susceptibility to Vibrio alginolyticus in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

White shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) held in 35 per thousand seawater were challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus at a dose of 3 x 10(5) colony-forming units (cfu) shrimp(-1), and then placed in water containing concentrations of Cu2+ at 0 (control), 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg l(-1). Mortality of shrimp in 5, 10 and 20 mg l(-1) Cu2+ was significantly higher than those in 1 mg l(-1) Cu2+ and the control solution after 24-96 h. In another experiment, L. vannamei which had been exposed to control, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg l(-1) Cu2+ for 24, 48 and 96 h were examined for THC (total haemocyte count), phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst (release of superoxide anion), phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency to V. alginolyticus. Copper concentrations at 1 mg l(-1) or greater for 24h resulted in decreased THC, phenoloxidase activity, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency, whereas copper concentration at 20 mg l(-1) caused significant increase in respiratory burst of L. vannamei. In conclusion, concentration of Cu2+ at 1 mg l(-1) or greater increased the susceptibility of L. vannamei to V. alginolyticus infection by a depression in immune ability. The release of superoxide anion by L. vannamei exposed to 20 mg l(-1) Cu2+ was considered to be cytotoxic to the host.     

Toxic Effects of Three Heavy Metallic Ions on Rana zhenhaiensis Tadpoles

Heavy metal pollution is widespread in some areas of China and results in contamination of land, water, and air with which all living organisms interact. In this study, we used three heavy metallic ions(Cu2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+) to assess their toxicity effects on mortality, blood biomarker and growth traits(body length and body mass) of Rana zhenhaiensis tadpoles. The results showed that the toxicity levels of the three metallic ions were different when conducted with different experiment designs. For acute toxicity tests, Cu2+ was the most toxic with the highest tadpole mortality. The mortalities of tadpoles showed significant differences among the treatments at the same exposure time endpoints(24, 48, 72 and 96h). Results from repeated measures ANOVA indicated that metallic ion concentration, exposure time and their interactions significantly affected the mortalities of R. zhenhaiensis tadpoles. Also, the toxicity effects of all binary combinations of the three metallic ion treatments showed synergism. The half lethal concentrations(LC50) decreased with increasing exposure time during the experimental period, and the safe concentration(SC) values of Cu2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ were different from each other. Combined and compared LC50 values with previous data reported, it is suggestes that the toxicity levels of metal pollution to anuran tadpoles should be species-and age-related. For blood biomarker tests, Zn2+ was the most toxic with the highest total frequencies of abnormal erythrocytic nucleus. All three metallic ions caused higher abnormal erythrocytic nucleus compared with control groups. In a chronic toxicity test, Pb2+ was the most toxic with lowest growth traits. Survival rate(except for 18 days), total body length and body mass showed significant differences among the treatments. These findings indicated that tadpoles of R. zhenhaiensis should be as a bioindicator of heavy metals pollution.     

Acclimation of Daphnia magna to environmentally realistic copper concentrations

It may be hypothesised that as the bioavailable background concentration of an essential metal increases (within natural limits), the natural tolerance (to the metal) of the acclimated/adapted organisms and communities will increase. In this study the influence of acclimation to different copper concentrations on the sensitivity of the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna Straus was investigated. D. magna was acclimated over three generations to environmentally relevant copper concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 100 microg Cu/l (copper activity: 7.18 x 10(-15) to 3700 x 10(-12) M Cu2+). A modified standard test medium was used as culture and test medium. Medium modifications were: reduced hardness (lowered to 180 mg CaCO3/l) and addition of Aldrich humic acid at a concentration of 5 mg DOC/l (instead of EDTA). The effects of acclimation on these organisms were monitored using acute mortality assays and long-term assays in which life table parameters, copper body concentrations and energy reserves were used as test endpoints. Our results showed a two-fold increase in acute copper tolerance with increasing acclimation concentration for second and third generation organisms. Copper acclimation concentrations up to 35 microg Cu/l (80 pM Cu2+) did not affect the net reproduction and the intrinsic growth rate. The energy reserves of the acclimated daphnids revealed an Optimal Concentration range (OCEE) and concentrations between 5 and 12 microg Cu/l (0.5-4.1 pM Cu2+) and 1 and 35 microg Cu/l (0.023-80 pM Cu2+) seemed to be optimal for first and third generation daphnids, respectively. Lower and higher copper concentrations resulted in deficiency and toxicity responses. It was also demonstrated that up to 35 microg Cu/l, third generation daphnids were able to regulate their total copper body concentration. These results clearly indicate that bioavailable background copper concentrations present in culture media have to be considered in the evaluation of toxicity test results, especially when the toxicity data are used for water quality guideline derivation and/or ecological risk assessment for metals.     

Effects of copper on active and passive Rb+ influx in roots of winter wheat

The effects of copper (CuCl₂) on active and passive Rb⁺(⁸⁶Rb⁺) influx in roots of winter wheat grown in water culture for 1 week were studied. External copper concentrations in the range of 10–500 μ M in the uptake nutrient solution reduced active Rb⁺ influx by 20–70%, while passive influx was unaffected (ca 10% of the Rb⁺ influx in the Cu-free solution). At external Rb⁺ concentrations of up to 1 m M , Cu exposure (50 μ M decreased V_max to less than half and increased K_m to twice the value of the control. Short Cu exposure reduced the K⁺ concentration in roots of low K⁺ status. Pretreatment for 5 min in 50 μ M CuCl₂ prior to uptake experiments reduced Rb⁺ influx by 26%. After 60 min pretreatment with Cu, the corresponding reduction was 63%. Cu in the cultivation solution impeded growth, especially of the roots. The Cu concentration in the roots increased linearly with external Cu concentration (0–100 μ M ) while Cu concentration in the shoots was relatively unchanged. The K⁺ concentration in both roots and shoots decreased significantly with increased Cu in the cultivation solutions. Possible effects of Cu on membranes and ion transport mechanisms are discussed.     

The Role of Antioxidant Systems in Cu2+ Stress Resistance in Alternanthera philoxeroides

CuSO4 was added into Hoagland solution to imitate Cu2+ polluted water environment, and the roles of the two antioxidation systems in resisting Cu2+ stress in Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. was studied. The results showed that Cu2+pollution less than 70 mg/L in concentration could stimulate the accumulation of superoxide radical (O-·2), thus lead to lipid peroxidation and increase of membrane permeability. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were both induced in high level and took important parts in antioxidation at higher concentration of Cu2+ and in middle and late phases of Cu2+ stress. Catalase (CAT) had little effect. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was induced in lower level and showed its function in lower Cu2+ concentration and in early phase. Ascorbic acid (AsA) could also function at higher Cu2+ concentration by transition from reduced state to oxidized state.     

Source of Copper May Have Regressive Effects on Serum Cholesterol and Urea Nitrogen Among Male Fattening Lambs

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary copper (Cu) on mineral profile, hematological parameters, and lipid metabolism in lambs. Eighteen Zandi male lambs (approximately 3 months of age; 17.53?±?1.6 kg of body weight) were housed in individual pens and were assigned randomly to one of three treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) control (no supplemental Cu), (2) 10 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) from copper sulfate (CuS), and (3) 10 mg Cu/kg DM from Cu proteinate (CuP). The Cu concentration was 8.2 mg/kg DM in the basal diet. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein at the beginning of the study (enrollment, before feeding Cu supplement) and at days 25, 50, and 70 of experiment. The amounts of total serum glucose, urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, and lipids and hematological parameters were measured. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were improved (P?<?0.05) with Cu supplementation and were better for the lambs fed diet supplemented with CuP. The concentrations of serum Ca, P, and Zn were not affected by source of Cu in the diet. However, Fe concentration was lower (P?<?0.01) in the Cu-supplemented groups. Experimental treatment had no significant effects on the hematological parameters. The serum glucose concentration was not affected by treatments. However, the urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly affected (P?<?0.05) by added Cu and was lower for CuP group as compared to the lambs in the CuS and control groups. Addition of Cu had no influence (P?>?0.05) on the serum triglyceride concentration, but lambs fed with CuP supplement had lower (P?<?0.05) serum cholesterol than the CuS and control animals. These results indicated that CuP supplemented at 10 mg/kg DM improved gain and enhanced the efficiency of nitrogen in male lambs.     

Effects of copper on growth, reproduction, survival and haemoglobin in Daphnia magna

The effects of additions of CuSO4 X 5H2O to final concentrations between 0.0004 and 105 micrograms Cu l-1 on growth, reproduction, survival and haemoglobin content of Daphnia magna were studied in hard reconstituted water and compared to the response in the dilution water without addition of copper. Concentrations of copper are nominal values. The 48-hr EC50 (immobilization) for unfed neonates was 6.5 micrograms Cu l-1 and the 48-hr and 21-day LC50 for fed neonates were 18.5 and 1.4 microgram Cu l-1, respectively. Growth expressed as body length of juveniles after 7 days and adult females after 21 days was only reduced in survivors at the highest non-lethal concentration (6.6 micrograms Cu l-1). Reproduction was stimulated by low concentrations of copper. Optimal reproduction after 21 days was found between 0.001 and 0.1 microgram Cu l-1. Higher concentrations were partially inhibitory (0.4 microgram Cu l-1), stimulatory (0.8 and 1.6 microgram Cu l-1) or completely inhibitory (3.2 micrograms Cu l-1 and above). The stimulatory peak around 1 microgram Cu l-1 was accompanied by a reduced survival (above 0.4 microgram Cu l-1). The Zero Equivalent Point (ZEP) for reproduction at non-reduced survival was 0.23 microgram Cu l-1. This concentration should be "safe" for D. magna under prevailing conditions (reconstituted water with a hardness of 250 mg l-1 as CaCo3 and a synthetic diet based on fish food and baby gruel). The haemoglobin content was affected by copper in a complex pattern which was not related to growth, reproduction or survival.     

Effect of Different Levels of Copper and Molybdenum Supplements on Serum Lipid Profiles and Antioxidant Status in Cashmere Goats

An experiment was conducted to investigate on the effects of different levels of copper (Cu: 0, 19, and 38 mg/kg) and molybdenum (Mo: 0 and 5 mg/kg) supplements and the interaction of these two factors on serum lipid profiles and antioxidant status in cashmere goats during the cashmere fiber growing period. Thirty-six Liaoning cashmere goats (approximately 1.5 years of age; 27.53±1.38 kg of body weight) were assigned to one of six treatments in a completely randomized design involving a 2×3 factorial arrangement. Goats were housed in individual pens and fed with Chinese wild rye- and alfalfa hay-based diet containing 4.72 mg Cu/kg, 0.16 mg Mo/kg, and 0.21 % S for 84 days. Blood samples were collected on day 84. The triglyceride concentration did not differ among treatments (P>0.05). Supplemental Cu, regardless of Mo level, decreased (P<0.05) the concentrations of serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased (P<0.05) the concentration of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol, but there were no differences (P>0.05) in these values between Cu-supplemented groups. Supplemental Cu increased (P<0.05) the activities of serum ceruloplasmin (Cp), Cu-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and decreased (P<0.05) the malondialdehyde content. The serum GSH-Px activity was also increased (P<0.05) by Mo supplementation. There was a tendency of the interaction effects of Cu and Mo on the activities of Cp (P=0.094), SOD (P=0.057), and GSH-Px (P=0.062), and goats fed with 19 mg Cu/kg in the absence of Mo tended to show the highest serum SOD activity, while goats fed with 38 mg Cu/kg with 5 mg Mo/kg tended to show the highest values of serum Cp and GSH-Px. Addition of Cu, Mo, or their interaction had no influence (P>0.05) on the activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase, and the concentrations of serum glucose and total protein. In conclusion, addition of 19 mg Cu/kg in the absence of Mo (the total dietary Cu level of 23.72 mg/kg) was recommended for altering the fat metabolism and obtaining the optimal antioxidant activity of cashmere goats, while 38 mg Cu/kg should be supplemented when 5 mg Mo/kg was added in the basal diet (the total dietary level of 42.72 mg Cu/kg, 5.16 mg Mo/kg, and 0.21 % S) during the cashmere growing period.     

Development of copper deficiency in neonatal mice

Dietary copper (Cu) deficiency was produced in Swiss albino mice to determine the temporal relationship between depletion of Cu and changes in the cardiovascular and nervous system. Dams were placed on a Cu-deficient diet 4 days after parturition. Half the dams were provided with deionized water and their offspring are referred to as Cu-deficient (-Cu). Half the dams were given cupric sulfate in their drinking water (20 microg Cu/mL) and their offspring are referred to as Cu-adequate (+Cu). At 6 weeks of age a sample of the -Cu mice were repleted with CuSO(4). Mice were sampled 1 day after birth and at weekly intervals for 7 weeks. Both +Cu and -Cu mice grew at the same rate: birth weight increased 16-fold at 6 weeks of age. Liver Cu more than doubled between 1 and 7 days of age. At 2 weeks of age -Cu mice were anemic (lower hematocrit and hemoglobin) and had lower liver Cu and plasma ceruloplasmin activity compared to +Cu mice. Liver Fe was not elevated in -Cu mice until 2 weeks after anemia developed. At weaning first signs of altered catecholamine metabolism included elevation of dopamine in both heart and spleen. Norepinephrine concentrations and content, in contrast, were not both lowered in -Cu mice until 5 weeks of age. Heart weight was first elevated in -Cu mice at 6 weeks of age and relative weight (mg/g body wt) at 4 weeks of age. Liver Cu concentration was lower in 1-week repleted mice than in +Cu mice. Anemia preceded the development of cardiac hypertrophy and altered catecholamine levels in -Cu mice.