Effect of Copper on Growth and Catalase Levels of Corcyra cephalonica St. in Zinc Toxicity

Abstract

THE work of Smith and Larson¹, van Reen² and van Reen and Pearson³ has revealed that the dietary ingestion of toxic levels of zinc results in a marked inhibition of growth and deranged iron metabolism in rats. The latter effect was reflected in anæmia and decreased levels of liver catalase and cytochrome oxidase. Liver extract partially counteracted the growth inhibition, while minute supplements of copper to the toxic diet reversed the anæmic condition¹ and restored the levels of the iron enzymes². From such results it has been concluded that the inhibition of growth is unrelated to the enzymic changes observed, and that the two phenomena are distinct and different effects of zinc toxicity in the animal organism.