Production of Copper Deficiency in the Rat by an Egg Albumin Diet ∗

Summary

Copper deficiency as judged by achromotrichia and lower levels of copper in blood, plasma, liver, kidney, brain, and hair was induced in black rats by feeding a copper-deficient diet containing egg albumin. Results obtained with this diet were comparable to those obtained with a skim milk copper-deficient diet. Ascorbic acid, at 1% of the diet, had no effect on the development of copper deficiency in rats fed the egg albumin diet. Soybean protein diets were ineffective in producing copper deficiency. Plasma protein patterns obtained by disc electrophoresis were not influenced by copper deficiency.