Influence of molybdenum and organic sources of copper and sulfur on performance and blood mineral concentration in lambs

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of molybdenum (Mo) and organic and inorganic sources of copper (Cu) and sulfur (S) on performance and blood concentration of these minerals in lambs. Forty male non-castrated crossbred Dorper x Santa Inês lambs (20 ± 1.2 kg of body weight and 90 ± 2 d of age) were randomly allocated into one of the 10 following treatments: T0) control, basal diet; T1) Mo; T2) inorganic Cu and inorganic S; T3) inorganic Cu and organic S; T4) organic Cu and inorganic S; T5) organic Cu and organic S; T6) Mo plus inorganic Cu and inorganic S; T7) Mo plus inorganic Cu and organic S; T8) Mo plus organic Cu and inorganic S; T9) Mo plus organic Cu and organic S. The animals were kept in individual pens and received a total mixed ration during 84 days. Body weight and blood sampling was performed every 28 days. All animals were slaughtered after 84 days and carcass traits were evaluated. No effects of treatments were observed on body weight and carcass traits. Dietary molybdenum and sulfur-supplemented animals had reduced serum concentrations of copper and ceruloplasmin. Also, an interaction among Mo x Cu sources x S sources was detected for both copper and ceruloplasmin serum concentrations. Organic sources of Cu and S led to increased serum concentration of S. Further, Mo supplementation influenced positively its blood concentration.