Of zinc toxicosis

My interest in zinc was stimulated in the late 1950 s, and for several years I was one of several researchers looking at various aspects of zinc toxicosis in connection with a variety of biological parameters. Beginning in 1961 one area of concentration was the effects of high levels of zinc on calcium and phosphorus status in young rats, and some of the results of studies (7, 8) conducted in our laboratory form the major portion of this paper. 

In mammals, copper absorption across the intestinal mucosa is inhibited by concomitant high oral intake of zinc (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). In livers from Weddell seals, copper is positively correlated with zinc (Szefer et al. 1994). The addition of zinc to swine diets protects against copper toxicosis caused by eating diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg ration (USEPA 1980). 

Donker, M.H., H.M. Abdel-Lateif, M.A. Khalil, B.M. Bayoumi, and N.M. Van Straalen. 1998. Temperature, physiological time, and zinc toxicity in the isopod Porcellio scaber. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 17 1558-1563. Droual, R., C.U. Meteyer, and F.D. Galey. 1991. Zinc toxicosis due to ingestion of a penny in a gray-headed chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps). Avian Dis. 35 1007-1011. 

Kazacos, E.A. and J.F. Van Vleet. 1989. Sequential ultrastructural changes of the pancreas in zinc toxicosis in ducklings. Amer. Jour. Pathol. 134 581-595. 

Morris, P.J., J. Jensen, and F. Applehans. 1986. Lead and zinc toxicosis in a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) caused by ingestion of hardware cloth. Ann. Proc. Amer. Assoc. Zoo Veterin. 1985 13-17. 

Murray, S., L.A. Tell, and M. Bush. 1997. Zinc toxicosis in a Celebes ape (Macaca nigra) following ingestion of pennies. Jour. Zoo Wildl. Med. 28 101-104. 

Zinc toxicosis results from ingestion of bait containing this compound or by eating tissues of zinc phosphide-poisoned animals. All domestic animals can be affected and reports are common in dogs. Zinc phosphide and aluminum... 

Brewer GJ, Dick RD, Schall W, Yuzbasiyan -Gurkan V, MulianeyTP, Pace C, Lindgren J, Thomas M and Padgett G (1992) Use of zinc acetate to treat copper toxicosis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 201 564-568. 

Subacute zinc toxicosb. Following ingestion of up to five pennies, dogs have developed subacute zinc toxicosis. The pennies remain in the stomach arxl slowly release metallic zinc. 

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