title: Copper deficiency in sheep with high liver iron accumulation.
abstract: An outbreak of enzootic ataxia among sheep raised in the northeastern region of Brazil is described. Copper (Cu) deficiency was diagnosed in a herd of 56 sheep, among which five presented characteristic clinical symptoms of enzootic ataxia. The symptoms began 30 days after birth, with a clinical condition that included locomotion difficulty, limb ataxia, tremors, and continual falls. Liver biopsies were performed and blood was collected to determine hepatic and plasmatic Cu, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentration, respectively. The laboratory results showed that the animals presented low copper concentrations in the plasma and liver, without difference between the clinically healthy animals and those affected by enzootic ataxia. Even after supplementation with adequate Cu levels had been recommended, it was found on a new visit to the farm four months later that one animal still presented a clinical condition and that the hepatic Cu levels of the herd had not risen. Despite the low copper content of the diet, the high hepatic Fe levels found suggest that antagonism due to this element may have been an important factor in triggering copper deficiency in these animals, and thus, additional copper supplementation may be necessary for these animals.
authors: Departamento de Clinica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Isadora Karolina Freitas
authors: IK
authors: de Sousa
authors: Antonio Humberto
authors: AH
authors: Hamad Minervino
authors: Rejane Dos Santos
authors: Rdos S
authors: Sousa
authors: Dowglish Ferreira
authors: DF
authors: Chaves
authors: Herbert Sousa
authors: HS
authors: Soares
authors: Isabella de Oliveira
authors: Ide O
authors: Barros
authors: Carolina Akiko Sato Cabral
authors: CA
authors: de Araújo
authors: Raimundo Alves Barrêto
authors: RA
authors: Júnior
authors: Enrico Lippi
authors: EL
authors: Ortolani