Comparing the effect of ammonium molybdate versus ammonium molybdate and menbutone on hepatic functions of sheep with subclinical copper poisoning

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of using menbutone in addition to ammonium molybdate on liver enzymes in sheep naturally poisoned with copper. Merino lambs (n = 30), naturally poisoned with copper and which also had high liver enzyme levels, were divided into two groups, each with 15 lambs. The AM + MEN group received ammonium molybdate and menbutone and the AM group received only ammonium molybdate solution. Both groups received 1.7% ammonium molybdate solution (1 mL per 10 kg body weight [BW]) subcutaneously on 0, 2nd and 4th days of the study. Menbutone (Genabil®, Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany) was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 10 mg/kg BW on days 0 and 2, in addition to ammonium molybdate in the AM + MEN group. Blood samples were collected on days 0 and 7, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and creatinine levels were evaluated. Over 7 days, AST levels decreased from 351.04 AE 63.50 IU/L to 286.40 AE 55.68 IU/L in the AM group (P > 0.05) and from 425.00 AE 119.25 IU/L to 240.83 AE 29.62 IU/L in the AM + MEN group (P ≤ 0.05). GGT levels decreased from 121.16 AE 15.88 IU/L to 110.39 AE 10.13 IU/L in the AM group (P > 0.05) and 124.52 AE 15.50 to 98.60 AE 9.08 IU/L in the AM + MEN group (P ≤ 0.05). Based on these findings, the use of menbutone, in addition to ammonium molybdate, has significantly reduced the level of liver enzymes.