Effect of High Molybdenum Diet on Copper Status, Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites, Select Liver and Kidney Minerals, and Immune Responses of Boer Crosses.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets on growth, blood parameters, and immune responses.
Results Summary
Increasing Mo levels reduced liver Cu, blood triacylglycerides, and serum total protein while increasing liver and kidney Mo concentrations and decreasing immune responses, though animal performance and blood metabolites were not negatively impacted within the 85-day study period.
Population
Boer crosses goats (18 animals, initial BW = 25.6 ± 1.03 kg)
Effective Dosage
5 ppm and 10 ppm Mo as ammonium molybdate added to the grain mix
Duration
85 days
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets | decrease | liver Cu levels | Boer crosses goats | p < 0.003 | reduced | #1 |
elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets | decrease | blood triacylglycerides levels | Boer crosses goats | p < 0.03 | reduced | #2 |
elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets | decrease | serum total protein levels | Boer crosses goats | p < 0.03 | reduced | #3 |
elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets | increase | liver Mo concentrations | Boer crosses goats | p = 0.07 | increased | #4 |
elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets | increase | kidney Mo concentrations | Boer crosses goats | p < 0.001 | increased | #5 |
elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets | decrease | immune response | Boer crosses goats | p < 0.01 | decreased linearly | #6 |
low levels of Cu with increasing Mo levels in the diet | no change | animal performance | goats | - | did not negatively impact | #7 |
low levels of Cu with increasing Mo levels in the diet | no change | blood metabolites | goats | - | did not negatively impact | #8 |
low levels of Cu with increasing Mo levels in the diet | decrease | liver Cu | goats | - | lowered | #9 |
low levels of Cu with increasing Mo levels in the diet | decrease | liver Fe | goats | - | lowered | #10 |
low levels of Cu with increasing Mo levels in the diet | decrease | immune responses | goats | - | lowered | #11 |
This study examined the effects of elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets on the growth, blood parameters, and immune responses in goats. Eighteen Boer crosses goats (BW = 25.6 ± 1.03 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: (1) control (no additional Mo), (2) 5 ppm Mo, and (3) 10 ppm Mo as ammonium molybdate was added to the grain mix. Animals were fed a 50:50 hay:grain diet ad libitum twice daily. Daily feed refusals were monitored, and intake was adjusted weekly. Body weights were recorded every 14 days and blood samples were collected on the second week of every month to determine Cu, Mo, Fe, Zn, and other blood metabolites. After 85 days, animals were humanely euthanized and carcass traits were measured. Liver, longissimus muscle area, and kidney samples were collected postmortem. Liver Cu (p < 0.003), blood triacylglycerides (p < 0.03), and serum total protein (p < 0.03) levels were reduced; the liver (p = 0.07) and kidney (p < 0.001) Mo concentrations were increased; and the immune response was decreased linearly (p < 0.01) with additional Mo. Low levels of Cu with increasing Mo levels in the diet did not negatively impact animal performance or blood metabolites, in the duration of this study (85 days); however, it lowered the liver Cu, Fe, and immune responses in goats.