Experimental chronic copper toxicity in sheep. Changes that follow the cessation of dosing at the onset of haemolysis.

Eight sheep were given daily oral doses of copper sulphate until haemolysis occurred. Three of the sheep developed further periods of haemolysis after dosing ceased. Serum enzyme and urea levels were measured throughout the experiment and compared to those obtained from three undosed control sheep. Serum enzyme levels rose prior to haemolytic crises and urea levels rose subsequent to haemolysis in animals that died or were killed in extremis. Severe morphological changes were seen in liver, kidney and brain. Tissue levels of copper and iron were markedly elevated. It is concluded that tissue damage continues even after the cessation of ingestion of copper and that the damage can be severe enough to lead to repeated haemolytic crises.