Effects of molybdenum or iron induced copper deficiency on the viability and function of neutrophils from cattle

Neutrophils from cattle with copper deficiency induced by molybdenum (0·052 mmol molybdenum kg−1 diet) or iron (8·95 mmol iron kg−1 diet) had an impaired ability to kill ingested Candida albicans and were less viable than those from copper-supplemented cattle in in vitro tests of function. Restricted intake (80 per cent of ad libitum) of a copper-adequate diet by cattle also decreased neutrophil candidacidal acitivity and viability. Additionally, the ingestion of C albicans by neutrophils was impaired by the molybdenum or iron treatments but not by restricted food intake. The changes in neutrophil function and the severity of copper deficiency, in biochemical terms, induced by the molybdenum or iron treatments were greater than those induced by diets of low copper content.