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Dietary copper supplementation improves pelt characteristics of female silver fox ( V ulpes fulva ) during the winter fur‐growing season
Author(s) -
Zhong Wei,
Liu Hanlu,
Luo Guoliang,
Chang Zhongjuan,
Liu Fenghua,
Zhao Jingbo,
Li Danli,
Yue Zhigang,
Zhang Haihua,
Li Guangyu
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/asj.12208
Subject(s) - zoology , dry matter , biology , copper , alkaline phosphatase , nutrient , chemistry , ecology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , enzyme
Copper has an essential role in normal fur pigmentation and fur quality. This study evaluated the effects of cupric citrate ( CuC it) supplementation on growth, nutrients metabolism and pelt characteristics of the female silver fox ( V ulpes fulva ). Fifty age‐matched female silver foxes with similar body weights were randomly divided into five dietary groups for 58 days during the winter fur‐growing season. The basal diet contained 4.92 mg/kg copper. Groups I ‐ V were supplemented with 6, 30, 60, 90 or 150 mg C u from CuC it per 1 kg dry matter basal diet. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in those fed 90 mg/kg C u than those fed 150 mg/kg C u. Pelt total thickness was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in those fed 30 mg/kg C u than foxes fed 6 mg/kg C u supplemented diet, but were similar to the other groups. Length of guard hair was significantly lower ( P < 0.05) in those fed 90 mg/kg C u than fed 6 mg/kg C u and 30 mg/kg C u, but were similar to the other groups. Length of underhair was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in those fed 6 mg/kg C u than those fed 90 mg/kg C u, but was similar to the other groups. Considering decreasing environmental contamination and improving pelt performance, supplementing 30 mg/kg C u from CuC it (actual copper 35 mg/kg dry matter) is appropriate for female silver fox.