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Virginia Tech

Copper supplementation and monocyte function in growing beef calves

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The effect of dietary copper (Cu) supplementation with Cu-Sulfate (CuSO₄) or Cu-Lysine (CuLy) on Cu status and bovine monocyte function was evaluated through a series of experiments. Initially, two in vitro techniques, immunomagnetic (IM) and culture flask adherence (CF), were compared for isolation of a viable, homogeneous monocyte population. The CF technique for monocyte isolation resulted in both a greater number of cells exhibiting phagocytic activity, as well as, an increased phagocytic capacity compared to monocytes recovered by the IM technique. Culture flask adherence appears to be an efficient technique for isolation of a viable, homogeneous population of bovine monocytes. Copper status and monocyte function were evaluated in beef calves supplemented with Cu over a 2 year study period. Fifty-four weaned calves were allotted to one of three Cu treatment groups in a 150 d feeding trial, Plasma Cu concentration was increased in CuLy-supplemented calves over controls and CuSO₄-supplemented calves on d 42, 84, and 126. Calves supplemented with Cu had increased ceruloplasmin activity on d 84, 126, and 150 as compared to controls. Hepatic Cu measured on d 150 was decreased in controls compared to Cu-supplemented calves. Monocyte cell number and function from CuLy-supplemented calves showed increased phagocytosis on d 84 and 126 and increased oxidative burst on d 42 and 126 compared to controls. Dietary Cu supplementation was repeated using 45 calves in a 120 d study. CuLy-supplemented heifers had increased major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression on d 68, 82 and 110 compared to CuSO₄-supplemented and control group heifers. Heifers supplemented with Cu had increased plasma Cu concentrations on d 82 and 110 compared to controls. The effect of vaccination on monocyte function was evaluated in Cu-supplemented beef heifers. Vaccination with B. abortus Strain 19 increased monocyte oxidative burst, phagocytic activity, and MHC class II expression in heifers. Copper supplementation and source of Cu supplement influenced monocyte response to vaccination. Monocyte response appeared to be higher in CuLy-supplemented heifers after vaccination compared to CuSO₄-supplemented and control heifers.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Veterinary Medical Sciences
Department dc:contributor.department
Veterinary Medical Sciences
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1995

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Saker, Korinn Edna
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Swecker, William S. Jr.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Blodgett, Dennis
  • Eversole, Dan E.
  • Schurtz, G.G.
  • Thatcher, Craig D.

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-06062008-155332
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/38107

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Saker, Korinn Edna. Copper supplementation and monocyte function in growing beef calves. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/38107