Clinicopathology of induced molybdenum toxicity in young goats

Abstract

Young nondescript goats (20) and of either sex were allocated to 3 groups of 8,8 and 4 goats. These goats received additional molybdenum @ 50, 100 and 0 ppm (groups 1,2, 3) of feed  (DM) in the form of drench of ammonium molybdate solution daily  for 235 days. Clinical signs developed earlier in goats     of group 2, Diarrhoea, anaemia, reduced body weights, weakness, unthriftiness, depigmentation of the hair and   altered reproductive performance were the important clinical manifestations. Anaemia, leucopaenia, hypoproteinaemia, transient hyperglycaemia, reduced levels of serum copper and ceruloplasmim were the important clinicopathological observations. It was concluded that the excess of molybdenum feeding in goats not only produced hypocuprosis but also certain alterations which could be specifically attributed to toxic effects of molybdenum.