Observations on the copper metabolism of the domestic fowl and duck.

Abstract

Experiments have been carried out to determine whether the concentration of copper in the liver of the domestic fowl and duck can be raised by a moderate increase of dietary copper. Groups of both species were fed for 12 weeks on the same basal diet, to which was added copper sulphate to increase the copper intake two- and fivefold. No significant increase in the liver copper concentration was noted in either species. When copper was administered to both species by intravenous injection, it was rapidly excreted. mostly in the bile. In the fowl a significant amount was excreted through the caeca, but the experiments did not suggest that these organs were important in controlling copper storage. 5tudies on the relationship between h e r copper storage and age showed that there was a rapid increase in the duck after 3 weeks of age. No such changes were observed in the foul