An attempt to distinguish between the direct and indirect effects, in the laying domestic fowl, of added dietary copper sulphate

Abstract

1. An experiment is reported in which the effects of giving copper sulphate-supplemented diets and control unsupplemented pair-fed diets to laying hens were compared. 2. The level of food intake significantly adversely affected mean body-weight, egg number, egg weight, liver, kidney, oviduct and ovary weights. Gizzard weight/kg body-weight was significantly increased both with decreasing levels of food intake and increased CuSO4 supplementation. 3. There was evidence of a depressing effect of CuSO4 per se on egg production and possibly on oviduct and ovary weight. 4. Liver lipid concentration was significantly decreased with decreasing levels of food intake and the results also suggest a depressing effect of CuSO4. 5. The Cu concentrations and total contents in liver and kidneys were significantly increased by dietary added CuSO4. Liver and kidney Zn and Fe concentrations were increased with decreasing levels of food intake rather than by CuSO4 addition.