Copper deficiency fails to affect vitamin A status

The effect of dietary copper (Cu) deficiency on vitamin A status as measured by serum and liver vitamin A was examined. Weanling male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned by weight to one of four groups of 11–12 animals. Group 1 was fed a Cu deficient diet; Group 2, Cu supplemented, pair fed; Group 3 Cu supplemented, weight-matched to Group 1; Group 4 Cu supplemented, ad lib. All diets were supplemented with vitamin A (1,200 retinol equivalents/Kg). After six weeks, the animals were sacrificed and indices of Cu and vitamin A status measured. There was no significant difference for body weight gain or food intake among Groups 1, 2 and 3, eliminating these as variables. Copper deficiency was verified in Group 1 by significantly lowered hematocrit as well as lower serum, heart, and liver Cu concentrations. In addition, liver Cu−Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly lowered, and cardiac hypertrophy was evident in the Cu deficient group. Serum and liver vitamin A concentrations did not differ significantly among all four groups. Total liver vitamin A content was not significantly different among the livers of rats fed the Cu deficient diet (Group 1), the Cu supplemented diet (pair-fed, Group 2) or Cu supplemented diet (weight-matched, Group 3). The results demonstrate that Cu deficiency does not affect vitamin A metabolism as assessed by serum and liver vitamin A concentrations, using rats as the model.