In vivo effects of high dietary copper levels on hepatocellular mitochondrial respiration and electron transport chain enzymes in broilers

Abstract

The diet of broiler chickens supplemented with increasing concentrations of copper (Cu) was assessed for the effect of Cu on liver mitochondrial function. A total of 160, 1-d-old Cobb 500 broilers (Gallus domesticus) were randomly assigned in equal numbers into 4 groups, which differed in the concentration of copper supplements in the diet; 11 (control), 110, 220 and 330 mg of Cu/kg dry matter. Liver mitochondrial function was recorded at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 d of age. Supplementation with 110 mg Cu/kg dry matter enhanced mitochondrial function and activities of complexes I-V, and this was significant at 36 d of age compared with the other diets (P < 0.05). Supplementation with 220 mg Cu/kg dry matter and 330 mg Cu/kg dry matter enhanced mitochondrial function and activities of complexes I-V at 12, 24 and 36 d of age, but displayed reduced function (P < 0.05) at 48 and 60 d of age except in complex IV (P > 0.05). Mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production was also increased (P < 0.05) with an increase of copper supplementation in the diet. The results indicate that appropriate dietary copper supplements are sufficient for improving mitochondrial function and activities of the respiratory complexes. Higher concentrations of copper, on the other hand, lead to copper toxicity by affecting certain respiratory complexes.

Effect of Different Levels and Sources of Dietary Copper, Zinc and Manganese on the Performance and Immune and Redox Status of Turkeys

“…Similar results were obtained in our earlier study on turkeys, in which Cu at 20 mg/kg induced oxidation reactions and had a much stronger inhibitory effect on the antioxidant defense system than dietary Cu at 2 mg/kg [3]. Moreover, research on chickens indicates that reducing the addition of Cu to the diet limits oxidative processes in the body [41,42,43]. In our previous research, reducing the addition of Mn nanoparticles to the diet of young turkeys (reared up to six weeks of age) to 50% or even 10% of the level recommended by B.U.T.…”

Copper Induces Apoptosis Through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Skeletal Muscle of Broilers

“…In order to investigate the toxic effect about Cu, different doses of Cu were set in three treated groups, which were 10 times, 20 times, and 30 times higher than those in control group. In fact, similar dose was also employed in previous studies [8,26,27]. They were raised for 49 days under the same conditions; the skeletal muscle tissue was collected after euthanasia with sodium pentobarbital.…”

Effect of different levels of copper nanoparticles and copper sulphate on performance, metabolism and blood biochemical profiles in broiler chicken

“…Copper (Cu), a crucial microelement required for proper physiological functions in chickens, is frequently added to poultry diets at high concentrations, at levels that often exceed the birds’ requirements (Świątkiewicz, Arczewska‐Włosek, & Józefiak, ), as a possible alternative to an antibiotic growth promoter. It enhances animal performance, but an excess of Cu in the diet can also have adverse effects, including iron and calcium deficiency due to antagonism between those elements; this may cause a reduction in viability (Miroshnikova, Arinzhanov, Kilyakova, Sizova, & Miroshnikov, ) and increased toxicity (Cao et al., ). The digestibility of Cu salts is very low, and approximately 80% of Cu is excreted in the faeces (McDowell, ), causing the environmental pollution (Leeson, ).…”