Copper-Molybdenum Interaction in Sheep and Chicks

Abstract

A series of experiments was conducted in an attempt to gain further insight into the biological interaction between copper and molybdenum. In sheep fed a purified, low copper diet containing varying levels of molybdenum and inorganic sulfate, anemia developed only in those animals receiving molybdenum. All these sheep showed a diminution of plasma copper as the trial progressed. High levels of dietary molybdenum did not significantly depress the induction of ceruloplasmin activity in chicks stressed with fowl typhoid. High levels of molybdenum in the incubation solution reduced the in vitro uptake of copper by rat liver and kidney slices. It was observed that CuSO₄ and Na₂MoO₄ form a complex which precipitates in a near neutral solution. The ratio of copper to molybdenum in this complex was 4:3. The results of these studies were used to develop a hypothesis that molybdenum complexes with copper and that copper bound in this state is biologically inactive.