COPPER DEFICIENCY IN RUMINANTS IN PAKISTAN

Copper (Cu) is a vital micronutrient in all living organisms. It is essential for the proper functioning of the different enzymes like ceruloplasmin, dopamine β, superoxide dismutase, cytochrome c oxidase, lysyl oxidase, monoamine oxidase, tyrosinase, peptidylglycine α, glactose oxidate, ascorbate oxidase and monooxigenase. These enzymes play a vital role in a variety of physiological functions of hematological, nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive, antioxident and immune systems. Hypocuprosis may be due to primary or secondary copper deficiency. The main reason of copper deficiency in Pakistani livestock is most probably due to the presence of dietary Cu antagonist, e.g sulphur and in particular molybdenum. Clinical symptoms of copper deficiency include ataxia, paralysis, paresis, incoordination, head tremors, edema, twisted joints, weakness of limbs, poor quality fleece, bespectacled eyes, fractures, anemia, depigmentation of hair and skin, rough body coats, thin bellies, degeneration of myocardial muscles, ataxia, head tremors and falling disease. In Pakistan copper has been used for the treatment of different health disorders of livestock e.g nutritional hemoglobinuria, parturient hemoglobinuria, mastitis, anestus, leukoderma, chronic diarrhea.