The activity of several cuproenzymes in relation to the immune system was examined in serum and blood cells from bovines with molybdenum-induced copper deficiency. Five female cattle were given molybdenum (30 ppm) and sulfate (225 ppm) to induce experimental secondary copper deficiency. Ceruloplasmin activity was determined in serum. The Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and cytochrome c oxidase activities were measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocyte-derived macrophages. Copper deficiency was confirmed from decreased serum copper levels and the animals with values less than 5.6 micromol/L were considered deficient. The content of intracellular copper decreased between 40% and 70% in deficient cells compared with the controls. In copper-deficient animals, the serum ceruloplasmin activity decreased to half of the control value. Both of them, the Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and the cytochrome c oxidase activities, undergo a significant reduction in leukocytes, showing differences among diverse cell populations. We concluded that the copper deficiency alters the activity of several enzymes, which mediate antioxidant defenses and ATP formation. These effects may impair the cell immune functionality, affecting the bactericidal capacity and making the animals more susceptible to infection.

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