METABOLIC ROLE OF MOLYBDENUM

SUBMITTED TO : Dr. JASPAL SINGH HUNDAL

SUBMITTED BY : PAVITER SINGH
 MOLYBDENUM
 In ancient times a number of substances were collectively known by the Greek word
‘molybdos’ meaning lead like molybdenite (MoS2), the most abundant molybdenum
containing mineral, was in this class along with lead, graphite and others. Though they did
not distinguish between these various compounds, the ancients certainly used term
molybdenite
 First indication of metabolic role obtained in 1953 from discovery by Renzo et al and its
Atomic number is 42.
 Component of 3 enzymes - xanthine oxidase
- aldehyde oxidase
- sulfite oxidase
 Effective on copper metabolism.
 Cereals- >1mg Mo /kg DM.
 Forages- 0.9 to 2.6 mg Mo/kg DM.
 FUNCTION OF MOLYBEDNUM
 Molybdenum function as a cofactor for the metalloenzymes (sulfite oxidase, aldehyde oxidase,
xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase)
 It allows Mo to bind to the catalytic site of the apoenzyme.
 Molybdenum get attach to the apoenzyme at its catalytic site where it undergoes further
bonding.
 It is essential for the growth of chick or poults hatched from eggs from molybdenum depleted
hens or in chicks fed with diets containing tungsten.
 A nutritional role of molybdenum has also been demonstrated in young lambs, where addition
of element as molybdate to the diet which is low in Mo increased liveweight gain.
 Dioxomolbdopterin is formed when the Mo is further bonded to 2 oxygen molecules.
 Oxosulfidomolybdopterin is formed as the Mo is further bonded to one oxygen and one
Sulphur.
 Sulfite oxidase
Located in mitochondrial Inner membrane.
Found in tissues of the heart, liver and kidney.
Contain iron Sulphur clusters, 2 molybdopterin
in dioxo form and 2 cytochrome residues.
Catalyzes the terminal step in metabolism of
methionine and cysteine. During this process
sulfite is converted to sulfate. The sulfate
produced is excreted in urine or is used for synthesis of sulfolipids, sulfoproteins and
mucopolysaccharides
 Aldehyde oxidase
 The enzyme uses the oxysulfide form of molybdopterin
 Functions in the liver whereby it uses O2 as it electron acceptor
 Substrates used in this reaction are compounds containing an aldehyde to generate carboxylic acids
Aldehyde + H2O + O2  carboxylate + H2O2 + H(+)
Xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase
 Both enzymes are iron dependent which require FAD and molybdopterin (oxysulfide form)
 Xanthine dehydrogenase is found in the tissues in the lungs, intestine , liver and kidneys
 Xanthine oxidase is mainly in the intestines and thyroid cells
 The enzyme are capable of hydroxylating purines, pyrimidines and other heterocyclic N containing
compounds
 Hypoxanthine generated from purine catabolism is oxidized to form xanthine and uric acid
 Higher concentration of xanthine in urine can cause formation of kidney stones.
 SOURCES OF MOLYBEDNUM
 Content depends on the concentration of Mo in the soil.
 Found in large amount in black beans, walnuts and lentils.
 Also in spinach, lettuce, whole wheat pasta and bread.
(in ppm)
Cabbage : 1.00
Peas :1.40
Liver and glandular meal: 1.80
Alfa Alfa meal (dehydrated) : 0.35
Soyabeans (whole) : 2.50
Cereals: trace or nil
 METABOLISM
 Absorption :
 Mo absorbed in form of MoO4 (molybdate).
 At high Cu to Mo ratios in fibrous diets & high sulfur diets, ruminants may excrete the
majority of ingested Mo in faeces due to formation of insoluble thiomolybdates(TM) in
rumen
 MoO4 absorbed across intestinal mucosa by active carrier mediated process.
 This process of absorption is Inhibited by SO4 (sulphate).
 Cellular activity- absorbed MoO4 is normally transported as free ionic state but
stored in tissue as molybdopterin, bound to xanthine dehydrogenase and aldehyde
oxidase in cytosol and to sulfite oxidase in mitochondrial membranes.
 Interconversion between XO and XDH, which can be catalysed by sulfite oxidase
may be important as cellular source of peroxide and free superoxide radicals
 XO&AO are involved in electron transport chain in cells.
 SO oxidizes sulfite to sulfate.

 Retention &excretion - inversely related to level of dietary S

 In renal tubule MoO4 reabsorption inhibited by SO4 ,as the reabsorption of SO4
lead to more excretion of molybdenum(ruminants express the antagonism because
sulfur absorbed from rumen as sulfides is metabolized to SO4)

urinary Mo excretion
 INTERACTION BETWEEN Mo-Cu-S
1- Mo in presence of S – Cu deposition in organs .
2- dietary Cu- Mo deposition in liver.
3- when S – urinary Mo increases & tissue Mo decreases.

Molybdenum intakes of 500 μg/day and 1,500 μg/day from sorghum increased urinary
copper excretion. Excess dietary molybdenum has been found to result in copper deficiency
in grazing animals. In the digestive tract of ruminants, the formation of compounds
containing sulfur and molybdenum, known as thiomolybdates, prevents the absorption of
copper and can cause fatal copper-dependent disorders. Tetra-thiomolybdate (TM) is a
molecule that can form high-affinity complexes with copper, controlling free copper
(copper that is not bound to ceruloplasmin), and inhibiting copper chaperones and copper-
containing enzymes. TM's ability to lower free copper levels is exploited in the treatment of
Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder characterized by copper accumulation in tissues
responsible for hepatic and neurologic disorders. .
 Toxicity – excessive intake of Mo deplete Cu reserves in cattle leading to peat scours
 The interaction between Mo and S results in the formation of thiomolybdate(MoS4).
 SOURCES OF TOXICITY
 The interactions associated with copper, molybdenum, and sulfate metabolism related to
the utilization, bioavailability, and kinetics of copper are among the most biologically
significant interrelationships in veterinary medicine
1. Excessive use of Mo containing fertilizers may occasionally result in high Mo content in
soil and forages
2. Grazing of animals on pastures with high Mo leads to toxicity of Mo.
3. Ingestion of plants rich in Mo but low in copper contents.
4. Calves may be poisoned by milk from cows on high Mo diets
 TYPES OF MOLYBDENUM TOXICITY
 There are two types of molybdenum toxicity

 The first, which is well recognized, occurs on high molybdenum pastures (often referred to as 'teart'
pastures) containing around 20 - 100 mg of molybdenum per kg. Within a few days of being placed
on such pastures, cattle start scouring and develop stary, harsh coats. This can be effectively
prevented by high doses of copper, because it has been demonstrated that such levels of molybdenum
affect the absorption and metabolism of copper.

 The second type of molybdenum toxicity that at much lower levels of molybdenum (such as <5 mg
of molybdenum per kg of feed), problems of toxicity can occur even in animals which are being fed
more copper than their calculated dietary requirements and have an apparently normal copper status.
It is suggested that in adult cattle affected by this version of molybdenum toxicity, the most common
problem
 reported by the farmer is poor fertility
 Requirement of molybdenum

ICAR NRC
COW 5ppm
BUFFALOES 5ppm

SHEEP 1-2mg/kg 0.5mg/kg

GOAT 0.1-3ppm 0.1mg/kg
POULTRY 0.15mg/kg
PIG 5mg/kg

NRC does not provide the dietary the dietary Mo requirements because Mo deficiencies are
rarely observed.
 DEFICENCY SYMPTOMS OF Mo
 A deficiency of Mo is most likely to occur on acid, freely drained soils rich in iron oxides.
 In dairy cattle, Mo deficiency does not show any peculiar signs.
 In case of sheep the consumption of low molybdenum forage has been associated with
renal lithiasis, the calculi detected in animal were made up of xanthine, this is due to the
deficiency of proteins is called xanthine disease
 Diets low in Mo fed to goats and to chicks resulted in detrimental effects associated with
reproduction. Goat has poor conception rate and poor fetal survival. Chicks suffered high
embryonic mortality and abnormal growth and development.
Thank you