Bulletin USAMV-CN. 64/2007 (1-2). MONITORING THE ACTIVITY OF SOME ENZYMATIC SYSTEMS - QUICK MARKERS OF COPPER INDUCED CYTOLYSIS IN SHEEP Goran G.V., V. Crivineanu, Camelia Papuc *Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Bucharest. ggoran@fmvb.ro Key words: copper. sulfate. proteinate. arginase. sheep Abstract. In order to observe the blood biochemical modifications. 42 adult. not gestating Tsigai ewes were studied. during a period of six weeks. after treatment with supplementary copper doses in feed. Primary objective of the research was to formulate a rapid diagnosis procedure of copper associated pathology on the base of the activity of some enzymatic systems. as suitable quick markers of copper induced cytolysis. modified as a consequence of overdosing copper products in sheep from two different copper sources supplementary administered into feed (copper sulfate or copper proteinate). The most sensitive marker of hepatic cytolysis induced by supplementary administration of different copper doses and sources was arginase. indicating cellular destructions at least one week before the other studied enzymatic systems. Specific hepatic cytolysis enzymes activities indicated changes in the hepatic functions. confirming the toxic action of copper in sheep. but with a lower risk in organic copper compounds. INTRODUCTION In the literature. the use of different forms of copper in sheep nutrition and therapy. primary for hypocuprosis prevention. is reported. The use of animal models in order to analyze copper metabolism in mammals and pathogenesis and treatment of copper associated hepatic diseases in humans is described. The pathogenesis of copper intoxication has two distinct phases: first phase is the accumulation in tissues and the second one is an acute phase due to the hemolytic crisis [4].This morbid entity may be unobserved until stress factors intervene such as transport. lactation. effort. or diet modification [7]. During this stage of the intoxication there is a massive hepatic copper release. generating a sharp increase of blood copper level and haemolysis. accompanied by severe gastroenteritis. jaundice. dehydration. lack of appetite. hemoglobinuria. During the last years there is a large increase in mineral supplements containing copper. while the use of chelated mineral become very popular due the better absorption of chelated trace elements compared to inorganic compounds. [1. 2. 6]. Knowing that copper nutrition in sheep is quite complicated. because copper is a required mineral. yet highly toxic for sheep. and that organic minerals have a better bioavailability and absorption. compared to the inorganic form. the aim of the study was to obtain more data regarding the blood biochemical modifications as a consequence of overdosing copper products in sheep in order to formulate a rapid diagnosis procedure of copper associated pathology on the base of blood biochemistry examinations. and especially on the activity of some enzymatic systems. as suitable quick markers of copper induced cytolysis. MATERIAL AND METHOD brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk