title: A meta-analysis of the effects of dietary copper, molybdenum, and sulfur on plasma and liver copper, weight gain, and feed conversion in growing-finishing cattle.
abstract: The minerals Cu, Mo, and S are essential for metabolic functions related to cattle health and performance. The interaction between Cu, Mo, and S can determine the utilization of each mineral, in particular Cu, by ruminants. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary Cu, Mo, and S and their interactions on plasma and liver Cu, ADG, and G:F in growing-finishing cattle. Data were collated from 12 published studies. The model with the best fit to data indicated plasma Cu was positively affected by dietary Cu (P < 0.01) and negatively affected by both dietary Mo (P < 0.01) and S (P < 0.01). Another model also indicated that plasma Cu concentration is positively related to Cu:Mo ratio in the diet (P < 0.01). Dietary Cu had a positive effect on liver Cu (P < 0.01), whereas Mo showed a negative effect (P < 0.05), and no effect of dietary S on liver Cu was observed (P > 0.05). Average daily gain was negatively affected by dietary Mo (P < 0.05) and S (P < 0.01) and positively affected by Cu:Mo ratio (P < 0.01), likely because an increased Cu:Mo ratio minimizes the antagonistic effect of Mo on Cu. The feed conversion ratio was negatively affected by Mo (P < 0.05) and S (P < 0.01), whereas effects of the Cu:Mo ratio and dietary Cu were not significant (P > 0.05). The interaction between S and Mo affected (P < 0.01) G:F, which was likely related to a positive response with the proper balance between these minerals. In conclusion, dietary Cu, Mo, and S and the Cu:Mo ratio caused changes in plasma Cu. Only dietary Mo and S led to a negative response in the performance of growing-finishing cattle, whereas the diet Cu:Mo ratio has a linear and quadratic effect on ADG. Nutritionists and producers need to consider with caution the supplementation of growing-finishing cattle diets with Mo and S because of their potentially adverse effects on animal performance. An appropriate Cu:Mo ratio is desirable to minimize the effects of an impaired supply of Mo on Cu metabolism and ADG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Y R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Montanholi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: France
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry*; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D013455:Sulfur; D003300:Copper; D008982:Molybdenum