Renal cortex copper concentration in acute copper poisoning in calves

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the diagnostic value of renal cortex copper (Cu) concentration in clinical cases of acute copper poisoning (ACP). A total of 97 calves that died due to subcutaneous copper administration were compiled in eleven farms. At least, one necropsy was conducted on each farm and samples for complementary analysis were taken. The degree of autolysis in each necropsy was evaluated. The cases appeared on extensive grazing calf breeding and intensive feedlot farms, in calves of 60 to 200 kg body weight. Mortality varied from 0.86 to 6.96 %, on the farms studied. The first succumbed calf was found on the farms between 6 and 72 hours after the susbcutaneous Cu administration. As discrepancies regarding the reference value arose, the local value (19.9 parts per million) was used, confirming the diagnosis of acute copper poisoning in 93% of the analyzed kidney samples. These results confirm the value of analysis of the cortical kidney Cu concentration for the diagnosis of acute copper poisoning.

Assessment of Cu-Zn EDTA Parenteral Toxicity in Calves

“…High Cu concentration in the liver is characteristic of a chronic poisoning [17]. In acute cases, even in fatal cases, there is no liver Cu recharge, so liver Cu levels can be found within the normal range or even below it [6,18]. Renal Cu concentrations have been proposed as an alternative to diagnosis in acute cases.…”

“…In previous trial [19] evaluated Cu concentration in renal cortex in endemic area of hypocuprosis, and they established a limit of 19.9 ppm (MS), over which they diagnosed acute poisoning. In a subsequent trial [18] the authors used the mentioned range and they were able to ratify its value as a Cu over dose indicator in 93% of confirmed cases. Other authors propose values as from 40 ppm MS [17,20,21].…”

Therapeutic efficacy and pharmacological safety of parenteral supplementation of different concentrations of copper in cows

“…The intoxication after parenteral treatment takes a hyperacute course, with the possibility of the appearance of clinical symptoms (Fazzio et al 2003); however the single subcutaneous administration of of Cu did not result in any clinical symptoms of toxicity in animals 4 days after treatment. Over the observation period, frequent and continuous clinical examinations were performed, which were confirmed by the macroscopic necropsy findings in which the typical lesions (Jubb & Kennedy 2007) of this intoxication were absent.…”

“…Different injectable Cu drugs have been introduced to the market to prevent and cure hypocupprosis in the affected grazing zones, in which they are administered massively (Daugherty et al 2002, Fazzio et al 2003. Those drugs have a high efficacy; they prevent negative effects of antagonists in the digestive tract (Van Niekerk et al 1994) and portion out adequate levels of Cu in the animals, especially in periods of high demand, such as during production and reproduction (Gee et al 2000, Smith 2003.…”