ANN 111: Principles of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology (2+1)

Copper-molybdenum - sulphur interrelationship / 'teart', characterized by unthriftiness and scouring / peat scours

COPPER-MOLYBDENUM - SULPHUR INTERRELATIONSHIP / 'TEART'

• Sulphide is formed by ruminal microorganisms from dietary sulphate or organic sulphur compounds.
• The sulphide then reacts with molybdate to form thiomolybdate which in turn combines with copper to form an insoluble copper thiomolybdate (CuMoS₄) thereby limiting the absorption of dietary copper.
• In addition it is considered likely that if thiomolybdate is formed in excess; it may be absorbed from the digestive tract and exert a systemic effect on copper metabolism in the animal.