To determine if Cu injection during late gestation can affect fetal and postnatal growth, hematology and immune function of progeny, 70 multiparous pregnant Angus cows, at 219 ± 15 d of gestation, were ranked by BW and BCS and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: Cu + (n = 35) in total 160 mg of Cu were administered subcutaneously in two moments (80 mg per moment) at 64 ± 15 d and 54 ± 15 d prepartum; and Cu- (n = 35), in total of 16 ml of sterile NaCl solution (9 g / l) were administered subcutaneously in two moments (8 ml per moment) at 64 ± 15 d and 54 ± 15 d prepartum. Calves from both treatments were weaned at 260 ± 15 d of age, male calves were separated from female calves and stockered on natural pastures until 690 ± 15 d of age, then placed into a feedlot for 104 d before slaughter. At the beginning of the experiment, cows Cu serum concentration was similar (P = 0.34) between treatments and these reflected a severe Cu deficiency (Cu + = 24.2 ± 1.5 μg/dl; Cu- = 22.2 ± 1.4 μg/dl). At calving, Cu serum concentration was greater (P < 0.01) in Cu + cows than Cu- cows. Copper serum concentration in calves from Cu + cows was greater at birth (P = 0.02) and 75 ± 15 d of age (P < 0.01) and tended (P = 0.07) to be greater at 160 ± 15 d of age compared to calves from Cu- cows. Calf BW at birth did not differ (P > 0.10) between treatments, however, calf BW adjusted at 75 d of age tended to be greater (P = 0.10) in calves from Cu + cows compared to calves from Cu- cows. Calf ADG from birth to 75 d of age was greater (P = 0.04) in calves from Cu + cows compared to calves from Cu- cows. Calf hematological parameters and titers of neutralizing antibodies against BHV-1 after primary and secondary vaccination against respiratory diseases did not differ (P > 0.10) between treatments. During finishing period, steers BW, 12th rib fat thickness and LM area were not affected (P > 0.10) by treatments. In summary, inorganic Cu injection during late gestation in Cu deficient beef cows allows to increase Cu serum concentration in calves from birth to 160 d of age. This event was associated with an increase in ADG and a tendency to increase BW during the first 75 days of life. After 75 days of age, any effect on the offspring performance was not observed.

为了确定在妊娠后期注射铜是否会影响胎儿和出生后后代的生长、血液学和免疫功能，70 头经产妊娠安格斯奶牛，在妊娠 219 ± 15 天，按 BW 和 BCS 进行排序，并随机分配到两种处理之一：Cu + ( n  = 35) 在产前 64 ± 15 天和 54 ± 15 天，在两个时刻（80 毫克/时刻）皮下注射总共 160 毫克铜；和 Cu- ( n = 35)，在产前 64 ± 15 天和 54 ± 15 天的两个时刻（每次 8 毫升）皮下注射总共 16 毫升无菌氯化钠溶液（9 克/升）。两种处理的犊牛均在 260±15 日龄断奶，将公犊与母犊分开并在天然牧场放养至 690±15 日龄，然后在屠宰前放入饲养场 104 天。在实验开始时，奶牛血清铜浓度 在处理之间相似（P = 0.34），这反映了严重的铜缺乏（Cu + = 24.2 ± 1.5 μg/dl；Cu- = 22.2 ± 1.4 μg/dl）。在产犊时，Cu  + 奶牛的Cu 血清浓度高于 Cu- 奶牛（P < 0.01）。Cu + 母牛犊牛的血清铜浓度在出生时更高（P = 0.02) 和 75 ± 15 天龄 ( P  < 0.01) 并且倾向于 ( P  = 0.07) 在 160 ± 15 天龄时比 Cu 奶牛的小牛更大。出生时的 犊牛体重在处理之间没有差异（P > 0.10），但是， 与来自铜 - 母牛的犊牛相比，来自 Cu + 母牛的犊牛在 75 日龄时调整的犊牛 BW 往往更大（P = 0.10）。 与来自 Cu- 奶牛的小牛相比，来自 Cu + 奶牛的小牛从出生到 75 日龄的小牛 ADG 更高（P = 0.04）。呼吸道疾病初次和二次接种后，犊牛血液学参数和 BHV-1 中和抗体滴度没有差异（P > 0.10) 治疗之间。育肥期公牛体重、第12肋脂肪厚度和LM面积未受处理影响（P  > 0.10）。总之，在缺乏铜的肉牛妊娠后期注射无机铜可以增加从出生到 160 日龄的犊牛血清铜浓度。该事件与 ADG 增加和出生后前 75 天体重增加的趋势有关。75 日龄后，未观察到对后代表现的任何影响。