Effect of copper supplemented salt licks on total and TCA-soluble plasma copper concentrations in Omani camels

Fifty Omani camels raised in the Directorate General of Camels Affairs, Royal Affairs, Oman, half of which were given mineral salt licks containing copper (Cu-SL), and half were provided with salt licks without Cu (nCu-SL),were bled to study their plasma copper status. The camels were maintained on dates and fresh alfalfa; both contained adequate Cu levels at 7.57 and 9.4mg/kg DM, respectively. Means of total plasma Cu (TCu) in both groups were within deficient to marginal levels in other ruminants. Mean TCu was higher (p=0.059) in nTCu-SL than TCu-SL while TCA-soluble plasma Cu (TCA-Sol) was higher (p=0.055) in the TCu-SL than in the nTCu-SL. The proportion of TCA-sol/TCu was significantly higher (p<0.001) in Cu-SL. Total plasma Cu was significantly higher than TCA-soluble Cu (p<0.001) suggesting possible presence of thiomolybdates in the camels’ plasma. High dietary Mo and S, and increased Fe were suggested to be the most possible cause of low Cu levels found in the camels.