The preparation of a semi‐synthetic diet low in copper for copper‐deficiency studies with the rat

Procedures for the production of a semi‐synthetic, copper‐deficient rat diet are described. The final product contains between 0.3 and 0.4 mg. of Cu per g. When supplemented with copper, the diet promotes rapid growth and good reproductive performance. With slight modification the diet would provide a suitable basal ration for studies of deficiencies of iron, zinc and manganese.