Observations on Copper and Caeruloplasmin Levels in the Blood of Pregnant Ewes and Lambs

An association between the concentration of copper in whole blood and haemoglobin type in sheep

In a genetically diverse flock of about 320 sheep a significant association has been found between the concentration of copper in whole blood and the haemoglobin type.

Sheep were bled on four occasions over a period of 1 year, with the flock mean concentration of copper varying between 53 and 96 fig per 100 ml whole blood. The copper concentrations in whole blood from sheep of haemoglobin type B exceeded those from sheep of type A by 9, 16, 15 and 15 fig per 100 ml on the four occasions respectively. The copper concentrations from sheep of type AB were 8, 11, 7 and 7 μg higher than those from type A.

Differences in the frequency of the three haemoglobin phenotypes accounted for part of the breed variation in copper concentration previously observed in the same flock, but even when that effect was allowed for, highly significant breed variation remained. When plasma instead of whole blood was examined in two other flocks from which breed variation in plasma copper concentration had been reported no association was found between the plasma copper concentration and haemoglobin type.

Serum copper and ceruloplasmin in preterm infants: prospective study

The postnatal time courses in preterm infants (30.0 weeks mean gestational age) of serum copper and ceruloplasmin (Cp) are described and compared. Serum copper was measured by nonflame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and serum Cp was measured by both immunodiffusion (Cpi) and enzyme assay (Cpe). With the exception of Cpe between 7 and 11 weeks of age, correlations among the three laboratory parameters were excellent. Following an early rise in all values, a plateau was seen in copper and Cpi between 5 and 11 weeks; Cpe showed a discordant fall at 7 to 11 weeks of age. After 11 weeks a secondary and definitive rise in all values was seen. Examination of individual time courses indicates the existence of a subgroup of infants with falling values between 5 and 11 weeks of age. Preterm infants had significantly higher serum copper (0.53 +/- 0.05 micrograms/ml) at a mean postnatal age of 10 weeks (39-41 weeks postconception) than did full-term infants (0.44 +/- 0.04 microns/ml) of similar postconceptional age. Low serum copper values were correlated with parenteral nutrition deficient in copper, with increased growth rates, and with twin pregnancies. It is concluded that extrauterine life in preterm infants is associated with precocious rises in serum copper and Cp values. The subgroup of infants with falling values may represent subclinically copper-deficient infants. This subgroup may bias the results of grouped data downwards. A role for nutritional factors in the delayed postnatal rise of serum copper and Cp values in preterm infants cannot be excluded on the basis of current knowledge.