The effect of copper on the response of lambs to selenium supplementation when grazing a selenium deficient pasture

Abstract

Two trials were undertaken with lambs grazing selenium deficient pasture to determine if copper would enhance liveweight and fleece-weight responses to selenium supplementation.

In the first trial, lambs given selenium or selenium plus copper gained significantly more weight and had higher fleece-weights after 260 days than did control lambs or lambs given copper alone. Copper given alone or together with selenium had no significant effect on liveweight or fleece-weight when compared with control lambs and Iambs that were given selenium alone respectively. This finding was confirmed in a second trial when growth and fleece-weights of selenium and selenium plus copper treated lambs were compared and no significant differences found.

In both trials copper significantly raised liver copper levels. In selenium supplemented but not in selenium deficient sheep, copper significantly increased blood selenium levels.