Effects of incubation temperature on the energetics of embryonic development and hatchling morphology in the Brisbane river turtle Emydura signata

Incubation temperature and the amount of water taken up by eggs from the substrate during incubation affects hatchling size and morphology in many oviparous reptiles. The Brisbane river turtle Emydura signata lays hard-shelled eggs and hatchling mass was unaffected by the amount of water gained or lost during incubation. Constant temperature incubation of eggs at 24 °C, 26 °C, 28 °C and 31 °C had no effect on hatchling mass, yolk-free hatchling mass, residual yolk mass, carapace length, carapace width, plastron length or plastron width. However, hatchlings incubated at 26 °C and 28 °C had wider heads than hatchlings incubated at 24 °C and 31 °C. Incubation period varied inversely with incubation temperature, while the rate of increase in oxygen consumption during the first part of incubation and the peak rate of oxygen consumption varied directly with incubation temperature. The total amount of oxygen consumed during development and hatchling production cost was significantly greater at 24 °C than at 26 °C, 28 °C and 31 °C. Hatchling mass and dimensions and total embryonic energy expenditure was directly proportional to initial egg mass. Accepted: 18 March 1998     

Effect of heat treatment on pre-stocking of Turkey eggs and its impact on incubation and hatching

Egg stocking is used to meet housing demands in the hatchery industry. Stocking periods longer than 10 days of occur commonly, despite the fact that this practice causes productive losses during the incubation process. To minimize these losses, eggs are heated before incubation to stimulate the embryo, thereby reducing the range of birth intervals. The objective of this study was to determine whether heat treatment (37.5 °C) prior to incubation would improve hatching rates. We also determined the heat-exposure time necessary to improve productivity. We stored 5376 Nicholas pedigree eggs, aged between 40 and 51 weeks, for seven days. These eggs were distributed in three groups: groups 1 and 2 received 4 and 6 h of heat treatment, respectively; group 3 was used as control (no heat treatment, remaining at 17 °C). After heat treatment, the eggs were stored for 7 days at 17 °C, together with eggs from the control group. We found significant variation in the cumulative dispersion of birds born during the hatch window; greater numbers of birds were born in group 1 that underwent the 4-h heat treatment with a 24-h hatch window and in group 3 that underwent the 6-h heat treatment with a 12-h hatch window. Hatch rate, yolk retention and the relationship between average chick weight/average egg weight did not differ between treatments. These data suggest that heat treatment modulates the hatch window; nevertheless, the treatment did not influence the average weight the chicks, the number of chicks born, the percentage of hatching or yolk retention.     

温湿度对山地麻蜥孵化卵、孵化成功率及孵出幼体特征的影响

用 6种温湿度条件孵化安徽宿州乾山山地麻蜥 (Eremiasbrenchleyi)卵 ,观测孵化卵质量变化、胚胎利用卵内物质和能量以及孵出幼体特征。卵在产出后 1h内收集 ,共设置 3× 2种温湿度处理 (温度分别为2 7、 30和 33℃ ;湿度分别为 - 2 2 0、 0kPa)。每隔 5d称卵重 ,直至幼体孵出。幼体经测量、称重后 ,解剖、分离为躯干、剩余卵黄和脂肪体三组分 ,用于成分测试。卵从环境中吸水导致质量增加 ,孵化温、湿度及其相互作用显著影响孵化卵的质量变化 :同一温度下 ,高湿度 (0kPa)孵化卵的终末质量大于低湿度 (- 2 2 0kPa)孵化卵 ;同一湿度下 ,低温 (2 7和 30℃ )孵化卵的终末质量大于高温 (33℃ )孵化卵。温度显著影响孵化期 ,随温度的升高孵化期缩短 ;湿度及其与温度的相互作用对孵化期无显著影响。孵化温湿度对孵化成功率无显著影响。温度显著影响胚胎对卵内物质的动用、幼体大小、质量以及剩余卵黄质量 ;除剩余卵黄外 ,湿度及其与温度的相互作用不影响山地麻蜥孵出幼体几乎所有的被检测特征。 33℃孵出幼体的大小和质量均显著小于 2 7和 30℃ ,并特征性地具有较大的剩余卵黄。因此 ,33℃不适宜孵化山地麻蜥卵。 2 7℃和 30℃中孵出幼体躯干发育良好 ,各项被测定的特征指标极其相似。     

Effects of methamidophos and glyphosate on copper sorption-desorption behavior in soils

A batch-equilibration technique was employed to study the impact of two organophosphorus pesticides methamidophos (MDP) and glyphosate (GPS) on copper (Cu2+) sorptiondesorption for phaeozem and burozem collected from Northeastern China. The addition of the two pesticides decreased Cu2+ sorption, increased Cu2+ desorption and prolonged the equilibrium time of Cu2+ sorption-desorption. But GPS appeared to exert a stronger influence on Cu2+ sorption-desorption due to its stronger complexion with Cu2+. When MDP was added, Cu2+ sorption-desorption was linearly correlated with MDP treatment concentrations. But in the presence of GPS, Cu2+ sorption first underwent a rapid decrease period, and then slowly tended towards a steady period. The reverse pattern could be found for Cu2+ desorption in the presence of GPS.Without pesticides and with the existence of MDP, Cu2+ sorption-desorption kinetics was well conformed to two-constant equation and Elovich equation. But that was not the case for Cu2+ desorption kinetics in the presence of GPS although its sorption could be also described by these two equations.     

Effects of methamidophos and glyphosate on copper sorption-desorption behavior in soils

A batch-equilibration technique was employed to study the impact of two organo-phosphorus pesticides methamidophos (MDP) and glyphosate (GPS) on copper (Cu2+) sorption-desorption for phaeozem and burozem collected from Northeastern China. The addition of the two pesticides decreased Cu2+ sorption, increased Cu2+ desorption and prolonged the equilibrium time of Cu2+ sorption-desorption. But GPS appeared to exert a stronger influence on Cu2+ sorption-desorption due to its stronger complexion with Cu2+. When MDP was added, Cu2+ sorption-desorption was linearly correlated with MDP treatment concentrations. But in the presence of GPS, Cu2+ sorption first underwent a rapid decrease period, and then slowly tended towards a steady period. The reverse pattern could be found for Cu2+ desorption in the presence of GPS. Without pesticides and with the existence of MDP, Cu2+ sorption-desorption kinetics was well conformed to two-constant equation and Elovich equation. But that was not the case for Cu2+ desorption kin     

Effects of early incubation constancy on embryonic development: An experimental study in the herring gull Larus argentatus

1.

In many birds, parental nest attendance in early incubation is variable, with eggs incubated only intermittently. The effect of this on chick hatching success is unknown.     

Studies on the adsorption and availability of copper in some arid soils

Summary Eight texturally different arid soils have been studied for the adsorption reactions of copper and thereby evaluated for their quantity, intensity and supply parameters for the copper. In these soils with the addition of increasing amounts of copper there was increase in the equilibrium concentration, adsorption, per cent saturation of adsorption capacity and supply parameter of copper. However, negative relationship of differential buffering capacity with quantity, intensity and supply parameters revealed that the sandy loam soils exhibited comparatively more resistance to change in the solution concentration of copper. Multiple regression analysis revealed that in all soils quantity, intensity and differential buffering capacity were the sole parameters accounting for the supply of the nutrient. Sandy loam soils having comparatively higher values for the adsorption maxima, bonding energy constant and differential buffering capacity of the soils required higher doses of applied copper to change in the solution concentration than in sandy soils.     

铜对三叶草-土壤酶系统的影响

通过盆栽实验研究了重金属Cu污染对植物(三叶草)-土壤酶(脲酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶)系统的影响.结果表明,随着Cu浓度增加,脲酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性均逐渐减小,与Cu浓度有高度相关性,蔗糖酶>多酚氧化酶>脲酶>过氧化氢酶.在处理浓度不变情况下,酶活性随时间而变化,且呈现低Cu浓度(<00 mg·kg^-1)时4种酶活性均有所上升,而Cu浓度增高(00～3 000 mg·kg^-1)时各酶活性逐渐下降的趋势.统计分析表明,在每一梯度浓度上,4种酶在Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组内均存在显著差异性(P<0.01),与植物受重金属Cu污染时的生长情况一致.随着Cu浓度增加,土壤pH值逐渐下降,而电导率上升;同一Cu浓度下的pH值和电导率均随时间呈缓慢上升趋势,统计分析显示,二者在Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组内均存在显著差异性(P<0.01).土壤pH值和电导率与4种土壤酶活性有高度相关性,多酚氧化酶>蔗糖酶>过氧化氢酶>脲酶.这4种酶同时可作为检测土壤环境质量的指标.     

含铜有机肥对土壤酶活性和微生物群落代谢的影响

以猪粪和麦秆为原料,向原料中添加不同浓度硫酸铜溶液模拟原料铜污染堆制有机肥,通过小白菜盆栽试验施用堆制腐熟的有机肥,研究其对土壤酶活性及群落功能多样性的影响。结果表明,与CK处理(Cu质量分数10.35mg/kg)相比,L处理(Cu质量分数300.00mg/kg)的脱氢酶活性下降了64.75%,H处理(Cu质量分数900.00 mg/kg)的脱氢酶活性下降了90.66%。在Biolog生态测试板(ECO Microplate)温育过程中,CK处理的AWCD值(Average Well Color Development)始终大于L处理和H处理。与CK处理相比,L处理和H处理96h的AWCD值分别下降了3.55%、36.59%,CK处理显著高于H处理(P<0.01)。多样性指数对含Cu有机肥有不同的响应,L处理的shannon指数最高,H处理的simpson指数最高,CK处理的Mclntosh指数及Mclntosh均匀度最高。主成分分析结果表明,对3个处理起分异作用的碳源主要是糖类和羧酸类。     

Effect of copper activity on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in field-aged copper-enriched soils

Summary Nitrogen and C mineralization were investigated in five soils which had received anthropogenic Cu inputs many years ago, and compared to control soils. Copper activity was used to assess the active or toxic form of Cu; the activity of Cu in the soils ranged from approximately 10^–10 to 10^–7 M. No effect of the Cu was observed on the mineralization rates, indicating that either the Cu levels were not toxic or that microbial adaptation to Cu inputs had occurred at the sites. The ion activity product ((Cu)(OH)²) is suggested as a possible indicator of plant available Cu.     

Effects of oxygen concentration during incubation and broiler breeder age on embryonic heat production,chicken development,and 7-day performance

Older breeder flocks produce eggs with a relatively larger yolk and thereby a higher nutrient availability than young breeder flocks. To optimise nutrient utilisation and embryonic development throughout incubation and posthatch period, embryos originating from older breeder flocks may require a higher oxygen availability. The current study investigated effects of broiler breeder flock age and incubational oxygen concentration on embryonic metabolism and chicken development until 7-day posthatch. Similar sized eggs of a young (28–32 week) or old (55–59 week) Cobb 500 breeder flock were incubated at one of three oxygen concentrations (17%, 21% or 25%) from day 7 of incubation until 6 h after emergence from the eggshell. Posthatch, chickens were reared until 7 days of age. Egg composition at the start of incubation, heat production during incubation, and embryo or chicken development at embryonic day (ED)14 and ED18 of incubation, 6 h after hatch and day 7 posthatch were evaluated. An interaction was found between breeder age and oxygen concentration for yolk-free body mass (YFBM) at ED18. A higher oxygen concentration increased YFBM in the old breeder flock, whereas no difference was found between 21 and 25% oxygen in the young breeder flock. Yolk size was larger in the old compared to the young flock from ED0 until 6 h after hatch. Breeder flock age did not affect YFBM at ED14 and 6 h after hatch nor daily embryonic heat production, but there were some effects on relative organ weights. Chickens of the old compared to the young breeder flock showed a higher weight gain at day 7, but at a similar feed conversion ratio (FCR). A higher oxygen concentration during incubation stimulated embryonic development, especially between 17% and 21% of oxygen, in both flock ages_. Although this growth advantage disappeared at 7 days posthatch, a low oxygen concentration during incubation resulted in a higher FCR at 7 days posthatch. Results indicated that breeder flock age seemed to influence body development, with an advantage for the older breeder flock during the posthatch period. Oxygen concentrations during incubation affected body development during incubation and FCR in the first 7 days posthatch. Although an interaction was found between breeder flock age and oxygen concentration at ED18 of incubation, there was no strong evidence that nutrient availability at the start of incubation (represented by breeder flock ages) affected embryo and chicken development at a higher oxygen concentration.     

不同浓度铜对紫背萍和青萍色素含量及抗氧化酶系统的影响

通过水培试验研究了不同浓度的重金属Cu对紫背萍(Spirodela polyrrhiza)和青萍(Lemna minor)的色素含量和抗氧化酶系统的影响.结果表明,低浓度Cu(0.056 mg·L^-1)的处理下,紫背萍和青萍的叶绿素a、叶绿素b和叶绿素(a+b)的含量均出现不同程度的增加,分别高出其对照11％、46％、22％和8％、15％、11％,而在高浓度Cu(0.18～5.60 mg·L^-1)的处理下,上述色素含量均显著下降,平均下降幅度分别达63％、62％、65%和46％、44％、45％.紫背萍体内丙二醛(MDA)含量为青萍的2.57倍.两种浮萍的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)的活性均随Cu浓度的增加而呈先升后降的趋势,紫背萍体内3种酶活性在Cu浓度仅为0.18 mg·L^-1时即达峰值,随后则大幅下降,而青萍体内3种酶活性却在Cu浓度分别升高到0.56、1.0和1.0 mg·L^-1时才达到峰值.可见,在Cu胁迫下,紫背萍受Cu毒害较青萍深,且其体内抗氧化酶系统也较青萍敏感.     

Influence of copper on proton efflux from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the protective effect of calcium and magnesium

Abstract The inhibitory effect of Cu on glucose-dependent H⁺ efflux from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was manifest at low (micromolar) concentrations, with the time period between the addition of glucose and commencement of H⁺ efflux, H⁺ efflux rate and duration all being affected with increasing Cu concentration (5–100 μM). Ca, at a concentration of 0.5 mM, completely removed the inhibitory effect of Cu at concentrations up to 50 μM and considerably reduced it at higher concentrations (up to 150 μM). Mg exhibited a similar but weaker protective effect against the influence of Cu. The protective effect of Ca against 50 μM Cu was evident at low Ca concentrations (2.5–5 μM), whereas Mg was effective at ≥50 μ M. In order to prevent the inhibitory effect of Cu, it was necessary to add Ca or Mg to the cell suspension before Cu addition. It is concluded that the protective effect of Ca and Mg is mediated by competitive and stabilizing interactions at the cell surface as well as physiological functions of Ca and Mg.     

Effects of soil acidification on the chemical extractability of Fe,Mn, Zn and Cu and the growth and micronutrient uptake of highbush blueberry plants

Summary The effects of soil acidification and micronutrient addition on levels of extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in a soil, and on the growth and micronutrient uptake of young highbush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Blueray) was investigated in a greenhouse study.Levels of 0.05M CaCl₂-extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu increased as the pH was lowered from 7.0 to 3.8. However, the solubility (CaCl₂-extractability) of Fe and Cu was considerably less pH-dependent than that of Mn and Zn. With the exception of HCl-and DTPA-extractable Mn, micronutrients extractable with 0.1M HCl, 0.005M DTPA and 0.04M EDTA were unaffected or raised only slightly as the pH was lowered from 6.0 to 3.8. Quantities of Mn and Zn extractable with CaCl₂ were similar in magnitude to those extractable with HCl, DTPA and EDTA whilst, in contrast, the latter reagents extracted considerably more Cu and Fe than did CaCl₂. A fractionation of soil Zn and Cu revealed that soil acidification resulted in an increase in the CaCl₂- and pyrophosphate-extractable fractions and a smaller decrease in the oxalate-extractable fraction.Plant dry matter production increased consistently when the soil pH was lowered from 7.0 to 4.6 but there was a slight decline in dry matter as the pH was lowered to 3.8. Micronutrient additions had no influence on plant biomass although plant uptake was increased. As the pH was lowered, concentrations of plant Fe first decreased and then increased whilst those of Mn, and to a lesser extent Zn and Cu, increased markedly.     

Interactions in solution of calcium(II) and copper(II) with nucleoside monophosphates: a calorimetric study

The thermodynamic parameters enthalpy and entropy of the interaction between calcium(II) or copper(II) with 5′-UMP, 5′-CMP, 5′-AMP, 5′-GMP or 5′-IMP in aqueous solution were determined calorimetrically (ionic strength adjusted to 0.1 with tetramethylammonium bromide) at 25 °C and pH 7 for Ca(II) or pH 3–5 for Cu(II). The experimental conditions were carefully selected to avoid polynuclear complex formation and nucleotide self-stacking. The calorimetric data confirm the tendency toward macrochelation which was indicated by Sigel after very precise potentiometric studies, and which follows the order Cu(II)>Ca(II) for the metal ions and GMP>IMP>AMP>CMP=UMP for the nucleotides. Macrochelate formation for these metal-nucleoside monophosphate complexes is energetically favorable and entropically unfavorable. Received: 13 August 1999 / Accepted: 1 February 2000     

How incubation temperature influences the physiology and growth of embryonic lizards

Eggs of two small Australian lizards, Lampropholis guichenoti and Bassiana duperreyi, were incubated to hatching at 25 °C and 30 °C. Incubation periods were significantly longer at 25 °C in both species, and temperature had a greater effect on the incubation period of B. duperreyi (41.0 days at 25 °C; 23.1 days at 30 °C) than L. guichenoti (40.1 days at 25 °C; 27.7 days at 30 °C). Patterns of oxygen consumption were similar in both species at both temperatures, being sigmoidal in shape with a fall in the rate of oxygen consumption just prior to hatching. The higher incubation temperature resulted in higher peak and higher pre-hatch rates of oxygen consumption in both species. Total amount of oxygen consumed during incubation was independent of temperature in B. duperreyi, in which approximately 50 ml oxygen was consumed at both temperatures, but eggs of L. guichenoti incubated at 30 °C consumed significantly more (32.6 ml) than eggs incubated at 25 °C (28.5 ml). Hatchling mass was unaffected by either incubation temperature or the amount of water absorbed by eggs during incubation in both species. The energetic production cost of hatchling B. duperreyi (3.52 kJ · g⁻¹) was independent of incubation temperature, whereas in L. guichenoti the production cost was greater at 30 °C (4.00 kJ · g⁻¹) than at 25 °C (3.47 kJ · g⁻¹). Snout-vent lengths and mass of hatchlings were unaffected by incubation temperature in both species, but hatchling B. duperreyi incubated at 30 °C had longer tails (29.3 mm) than those from eggs incubated at 25 °C (26.2 mm). These results indicate that incubation temperature can affect the quality of hatchling lizards in terms of embryonic energy consumption and hatchling morphology. Accepted: 27 January 2000     

Nest-site selection and nest size influence the incubation temperature of Morelet's crocodiles

In oviparous tetrapods, the nesting-site selection by females is related to the habitat characteristics, which influences nest incubation temperature. Females can directly influence the incubation temperature by choosing certain construction materials or by building nests of different sizes. There are few studies focusing on these aspects in crocodilians that build mound nests. The aim of this study was to determine whether the nest size, its exposure to solar radiation, and the environmental temperature influence the incubation temperature of Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) nests. Artificial nests of two sizes (small and large) were constructed with similar characteristics to natural nests and placed in two locations differing in exposure to solar radiation (shaded and sunny). We used temperature and relative humidity data loggers to record the incubation temperature inside each nest every hour during the species' natural nesting period. Likewise, we recorded the ambient temperature every hour where the experiments were set up with temperature data loggers. We found that nest size and its exposure to solar radiation affected the incubation temperature, with smaller nests in shaded locations having lower incubation temperatures than larger nests in sunny locations. We discuss the importance of nest-site selection and maintenance behaviour of the mound nest by female crocodiles on the incubation temperature of the nest.     

Effects of soil moisture content and temperature on methane uptake by grasslands on sandy soils

Aerobic grasslands may consume significant amounts of atmospheric methane (CH4). We aimed (i) to assess the spatial and temporal variability of net CH4 fluxes from grasslands on aerobic sandy soils, and (ii) to explain the variability in net CH4 fluxes by differences in soil moisture content and temperature. Net CH4 fluxes were measured with vented closed flux chambers at two sites with low N input on sandy soils in the Netherlands: (i) Wolfheze, a heather grassland, and (ii) Bovenbuurtse Weilanden, a grassland which is mown twice a year. Spatial variability of net CH4 fluxes was analysed using geostatistics. In incubation experiments, the effects of soil moisture content and temperature on CH4 uptake capacity were assessed. Temporal variability of net CH4 fluxes at Wolfheze was related to differences in soil temperature (r2 of 0.57) and soil moisture content (r2 of 0.73). Atmospheric CH4 uptake was highest at high soil temperatures and intermediate soil moisture contents. Spatial variability of net CH4 fluxes was high, both at Wolfheze and at Bovenbuurtse Weilanden. Incubation experiments showed that, at soil moisture contents lower than 5% (w/w), CH4 uptake was completely inhibited, probably due to physiological water stress of methanotrophs. At soil moisture contents higher than 50% (w/w), CH4 uptake was greatly reduced, probably due to the slow down of diffusive CH4 and O2 transport in the soil, which may have resulted in reduced CH4 oxidation and possibly some CH4 production. Optimum soil moisture contents for CH4 uptake were in the range of 20 – 35% (w/w), as prevailing in the field. The sensitivity of CH4 uptake to soil moisture content may result in short-term variability of net atmospheric CH4 uptake in response to precipitation and evapotranspiration, as well as in long-term variability due to changing precipitation patterns as a result of climate change.     

Spatial distribution and risk assessment of copper in agricultural soils,China

High Cu contamination in agricultural soil can cause toxicity, leading to ecological damages. Thus, we need to understand the concentration level, contaminated area, and spatial distribution of Cu in agricultural soils on a regional or national scale. This paper reviewed the studies on Cu concentrations throughout Chinese agricultural soils, based on relevant 482 published papers from 2004 to 2017. The results showed that the average Cu concentration was 29.85 mg/kg, higher than its background of 22.60 mg/kg, indicating that Cu has been introduced into soil from exterior sources. A large high spatial cluster was observed in southern China, including Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi provinces, while low spatial clusters were mainly found in Chongqing and Shandong provinces. About 3.08% of the agricultural areas faced a high Cu risk, higher than the pollution rates of the whole land uses, based on the spatial distribution of Cu concentrations throughout China. The remaining areas were within the ranges of moderate and low Cu risks.     

Effects of copper source and concentration on copper status and immune function in growing and finishing steers

Forty-eight individually fed purebred Angus steers (7±1.1 mo of age, 218±9.1 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of copper (Cu) source and concentration on Cu status and immune function. Steers were stratified by weight and initial liver Cu concentration and randomly assigned to one of five treatments. Treatments were: (1) control (no supplemental Cu), (2) 10 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM) from Cu sulfate (CuSO₄), (3) 10 mg Cu/kg DM from a Cu-amino acid complex (Availa Cu; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN, USA), (4) 20 mg Cu/kg DM from CuSO₄, and (5) 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu. Steers were housed in individual pens and fed an alfalfa-corn based growing diet (7.1 mg Cu/kg DM) for 56 d then gradually switched to a high concentrate diet (6.1 mg Cu/kg DM) for 144 d. On d 56 of the growing phase and d 112 of the finishing phase, liver Cu concentrations were higher (P<0.01) in Cu supplemented steers. Steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM had higher (P<0.01) liver Cu concentrations than steers receiving 10 mg Cu/kg DM. On d 112 of the finishing phase, steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu had higher (P<0.01) liver Cu concentrations than steers supplemented 20 mg Cu/kg DM from CuSO₄. Cell mediated immune response to phytohemagglutinin was higher (P<0.01) in steers supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM compared to steers supplemented with 10 mg Cu/kg DM. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations specific to pig red blood cells (PRBC) were higher (P<0.01) in steers supplemented with 10 mg Cu/kg DM from CuSO₄ than steers supplemented with 10 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu. During the finishing phase, IgG concentrations specific to PRBC were higher (P<0.03) and antibody titers specific to ovalbumin (OVA) were lower (P<0.05) in control steers relative to Cu supplemented steers. Steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM had higher (P<0.02) antibody titers specific to OVA than steers receiving 10 mg Cu/kg DM. Steers receiving 20 mg Cu/kg DM from Availa Cu had higher (P<0.01) antibody titers specific to OVA than steers supplemented with 20 mg Cu/kg DM from CuSO₄. Results indicate that the immune response to an antigen varies depending on the type of antigen administered as well as the concentration and source of Cu supplemented.