Effects of Supplemental Dietary Copper on Growth, Reproductive Performance and Kit Survival of Standard Dark Mink and the Acute Toxicity of Copper to Mink

Abstract

Natural dark mink kit were fed a diet supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 100 or 200 ppm Cu from CuSO4 . 5H2O for 153 or 357 d. The shorter term Cu supplementation had no significant beneficial or adverse effects on mink body weight gains or hemoglobin or hematocrit concentrations, although plasma Cu concentrations were slightly elevated in the mink fed added Cu. Liver Cu concentrations were significantly increased only in the mink fed 200 ppm Cu. Liver Zn and Fe concentrations were not affected by the added Cu. Darker fur was observed in pelted males fed the higher levels of Cu. The reproductive performance of mink on the longer term Cu supplementation was not adversely affected, although greater kit mortality and reduced "litter mass" were a result of the higher Cu concentrations. The acute (21-d) ip LD50 concentrations of Cu sulfate and Cu acetate in adult mink were 7.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, respectively.

Skin lesions in alpacas and llamas with low zinc and copper status – a preliminary report

“…As eight of 15 female suri alpacas but only two of 11 female huacaya alpacas were affected, further investigation of a particular susceptibility of suri alpacas seems warranted. There are indications, in humans, that coloured hair contains more Zn and Cu than white hair (Aulerich et al, 1982;Dorea and Pereira, 1983;Laitinen et al, 1988;Allegri et al, 1990;Sturaro et al, 1994;Bertazzo et al, 1996). In the llamas and alpacas we investigated, white animals were significantly less affected by skin lesions than coloured animals, thus statistically confirming the observation shared by Fowler (1989) and Rosychuk (1994) that coloured animals are more susceptible to skin lesions.…”

Preliminary assessment of the ecological risks to wide-ranging wildlife species on the Oak Ridge Reservation. 1996 update

“…Both the NOAEL and LOAEL for mammalian endpoints are based on a study in which mink were fed copper sulfate for 357 days (including a critical life stage) (Aulerich et al 1982). Although consumption of 15.14 mg/kg/d copper increased the percentage of mortality in mink kits, no adverse effects were observed at a 1 1.71 mg/kg/d exposure level.…”

“…Although consumption of 15.14 mg/kg/d copper increased the percentage of mortality in mink kits, no adverse effects were observed at a 1 1.71 mg/kg/d exposure level. On the basis of the results of Aulerich et al (1982), short-tailed shrews experiencing exposures greater than or equal to LOAEL within LEFPC display a reduction in offspring survival.…”

“…Lecyk (1980) observed reduced litter size, decreased fetal weights, and skeletal abnormalities in the offspring of mice fed diets supplemented with 3000 or 4000 ppm copper sulfate (155 or 207 mg copper/kg/day, respectively) for one month prior to gestation and on days 0-19 of gestation. Aulerich et al (1982) reported an increased mortality rate in the offspring of minks fed a diet supplemented with >3 mg copper/kg/day as copper sulfate for 50 weeks. Although kit mortality was greater and litter mass was reduced relative to controls, reproductive performance of mink fed diets supplemented with up to 200 ppm copper for 357 days was within the normal range for the species (Aulerich et al 1982).…”

“…Aulerich et al (1982) reported an increased mortality rate in the offspring of minks fed a diet supplemented with >3 mg copper/kg/day as copper sulfate for 50 weeks. Although kit mortality was greater and litter mass was reduced relative to controls, reproductive performance of mink fed diets supplemented with up to 200 ppm copper for 357 days was within the normal range for the species (Aulerich et al 1982). Lifetime exposure to 42.4 mg copper/kg/day (as copper gluconate) in drinking water caused a 12.8% decrease in the maximal lifespan in mice (Massie and Aiello 1984).…”