Copper and animal health: Importance, maternal fetal, immunity and DNA relationship, deficiency and toxicity

Abd Elghany Hefnawy and Heba M. El-khaiat

Department of animal medicine Faculty of veterinary medicine Benha University, 13736 Moshtohor – Egypt

E-mail abdelghani72@yahoo.com

Abstract :

Copper is an important trace element that plays a very important role in the biochemistry of all living organisms and affects enzymes activity as a cofactor or as a fundamental structure of many metalloenzymes as superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin, lysyl oxidase, cytochrome oxidase and tyrosinase. Therefore copper is essential for cellular respiration, free radical defence, neurotransmitter function connective and tissue biosynthesis. Excessive copper accumulation is toxic in all species as it leads to hepatic cirrhosis, hemolytic anemia and degeneration of basal ganglia. The aim of this review is to give a view on the health issue surrounding copper and animal health including many interested points about copper and fetal maternal relationship, the role of copper in the different body system and the effect of its deficiency and toxicity, as well as focusing on the relationship of copper with other trace elements, metalloenzymes, immunity and DNA. Key words: Copper, animal, health