Genotoxicity of copper suplementation in cattle to prevent hypocuprosis

PICCO SJ, MATTIOLI GA, DULOUT FN, ROSA D, FAZZIO L, DE LUCA JC

Basic and Applied Genetics

Sociedad Argentina de Genetica

Lugar: La Plata; Año: 2003 vol. 15 p. 29 - 32

1666-0390

Copper is an essential micronutrient in cattle. Usually, the most common disease associated with copper is hypocuprosis. To prevent the copper deficiency, copper supplementation is indicated. Preliminary studies reported gentoxic effect of copper defficiency. Simultaneously, a gentoxic effect of copper supplementation was detected. The aim of this work was to report the DNA damage, assessed by comet assay, associated with copper supplementation in Aberdeen Angus cattle. Blood samples were obtained from 22 normocupremic Aberdeen Angus cows (Group A) and from 20 Aberdeen Angus cows previously supplemented with parentheral copper (Group B). Copper plasma concentration was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and DNA damage was assessed by alkaline comet assay. Copper plasma leves were 66.3 ±5.9 µg/dl and 72.2 ±8.6 µg/dl in group A and group B respectively. Comet assay showed a significant increase of nuclei with DNA migration in group B (46% ±  8.6) when it was compared with group A (29% ± 8.4) (p< 0.01). The degree of DNA damage showed 70.6 ± 8.39 degree 1 cells in group A and 50.4 ± 8.58 degree 1 cells in group B (p< 0.01). For degree 2 cells, the percentages were 19.5 ± 7.45 and 4.10 ± 9.5 for groups A and B respectively (p< 0.01). Results obtained showed a significant increase of DNA damage in normocupremic animals with copper supplementation, probably associated with the prooxidant effect of copper. Further studies could contribute to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the induction of DNA damage, as well as the effect of copper supplementation in farm animals.