The effects of dietary molybdenum and sulfur on serum copper concentrations, growth and reproductive function in lambs
Creators: name: Robinson, Julie A.
Publisher: name: University of British Columbia
Year: 2011

description: Feeds often contain molybdenum (Mo) and sulfur (S) in excess of recommended allowances for adequate copper (Cu) absorption by ruminant livestock. Two randomized-block experiments were conducted using lambs given a cereal-based diet (90% of dry matter (DM) intake), containing 8 mg Cu, 0.7 mg Mo and 2.1g S per kg DM, that was either unsupplemented or supplemented with ammonium molybdate or sodium sulfate alone or in combination, to determine the effects of Mo, S and Mo+S on growth, hematology, serum Cu and Mo concentrations and reproductive function. Short term intake (4 weeks) by rams, aged 18 and 20 weeks, of 26 mg Mo alone or in combination with 2g S per kg DM, had no effect on growth, hematology or the concentration of total Cu in serum (TCu). However, supplemented groups had lower (P&lt;0.05) concentrations of serum Cu soluble in trichloroacetic acid (TCA-Cu), but the group given Mo+S had the highest (P&lt;0.05) concentration of serum residual Cu (RCu). Luteinizing hormone (LH) peak amplitude was affected by age*diet interaction (P&lt;0.05), because of high amplitude LH peaks in the serum of lambs, aged 24 wks, given Mo alone. Testosterone serum secretory profiles did not differ among diet groups, but testosterone peak frequency was higher (P&lt;0.05) for older ram lambs. Long term intake (32-39 wks) by ewe, ram and wether lambs (gonadal influence) of 12 mg Mo, or 2g S alone or combined per kg DM also had no effect on hematology or TCu. Food intake and liver weights were higher (P&lt;0.05), but TCA-Cu was lower (P&lt;0.05) for groups given S. Serum concentrations of total Mo (TMo) were higher (P&lt;0.05) for Mo-supplemented groups, but RCu was highest only for the Mo+S group. Growth was affected by Mo*S*gonadal influence*time interaction (P&lt;0.05); until autumn, the body weight of Mo-supplemented groups were higher than those of ram and wether lambs given Mo+S. Ovarian or testicular functions were delayed more severely for Mo- than Mo+S-supplemented groups. Mean concentrations of LH were affected by Mo*S*gonadal influence*time interaction (P&lt;0.05); the mean LH values of Mo-supplemented ram and ewe lambs were higher than the Mo+S-supplemented group, whereas a reverse trend was observed for wether lambs. The amplitude of LH peaks was affected by Mo*S*gonadal influence*time interaction (P&lt;0.05); for ram lambs, LH peak amplitude was higher for Mo than Mo+S-supplemented groups, whereas for wether and ewe lambs the reverse trend was noted. Mean concentrations of serum Cortisol and Cortisol peak amplitude were affected by Mo*S interaction (P&lt;0.05); the mean Cortisol concentration and peak amplitude for the Mo-supplemented group were higher than those for the Mo+S-supplemented group. The frequency of LH and Cortisol peaks did not differ (P&gt;0.10) among diet groups. In conclusion, Mo supplementation of cereal-based diets containing a high concentration of Cu did not adversely affect lamb growth. However, the effect of high dietary Mo on reproductive function appears to depend on the dietary level of S and the induction of high serum RCu (thiomolybdate). Further investigations on the effects of Mo and thiomolybdate on endocrine function may provide a nutritional basis for improving reproductive efficiency in ruminants.