The effect of excessive supplementation of sulfur on copper metabolism and antioxidant status in young cattle with symptoms of mucosa inflammation

This study was conducted to determine the effect of excessive sulfur on copper, metabolism and antioxidant status in young cattle with symptoms of mucosa inflammation. Eight calves were divided into fourgrbups and administered mineral supplements over 35 days: A(S) - elementary sulfur 0.15 g/kg body weight, B(Cu) - copper 0.35 mg/kg body weight; C(S + Cu) - sulfur and copper as in the preceding groups and K was the control. There were two stages. The first took 4 weeks during which feed and mineral supplements were served normally; the second was in the last week of this study and feed was reduced to 40% energy and protein content. (half hungry period). The results indicate that mucosa inflammation with feeding reduction can bring about a copper, deficit, while an excessive supplement of sulfur did not significantly affect the progress of this deficit or antioxidant status.