A review of the role of molybdenum in animals nutritional physiology and pathophysiologic aspects

Abstract

Molybdenosis, the symdrome prouced by excess Molybdenum, is characterized by debilitating diarrhea, emaciation, weight loss, reproductive alterations, immunosupression and occasionally, death. The clinical signs of molybdenosis were primarily attributed to a conditioned or secondary copper deficiency and increased levels of sulfates in the diet. The pathogenesis of the syndrome includes chemical reactions between molybdates and sulfates, principally in the digestive tract, resulting in the synthesis of thiomolybdate. These compounds affect digestion, absorption, tissue distribution and bioavalability of Cu. This review presents a description of molybdenosis, with emphasis on nutritional physiology and pathophysiologic aspects of Mo in ruminant and non-ruminant animals.