title: The copper-molybdenum antagonism in ruminants. I. The formation of thiomolybdates in animal rumen.
abstract: The formation of thiomolybdates, MoOxS4--x2--(x = 0, 1, 2, or 3), from molybdate and sulphide salts in aqueous media has been studied under conditions which simulate the fluid phase in the rumen. The influences of the sulphide:molybdenum ratio, pH and phosphate levels on the nature of the species formed were investigated. The thiomolybdates, in particular the MoS42-- ion, have been implicated as the active intermediates in the widespread molybdenum induced copper deficiency that affects ruminants. The results presented here show that, under physiological conditions, di- and trithiomolybdates will form more readily than tetrathiomolybdate.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003300:Copper / Q000172:deficiency; D005750:Gastric Juice; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008982:Molybdenum; D010710:Phosphates; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism; D013440:Sulfides; D013455:Sulfur
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; D013440:Sulfides; D013455:Sulfur; D003300:Copper; D008982:Molybdenum