Animal Nutrition Exam 3 - Minerals

Minerals definition

Inorganic elements essential for physiological and metabolic functions

Percent of body weight minerals make up

About 4%

Do minerals provide energy

No

Main roles of minerals

Enzyme function, gene regulation, immunity, acid-base balance, osmotic balance, structure, nerve and muscle function

Classification of minerals

Macro and micro (trace)

Macrominerals definition

Required in amounts >0.01% of diet

Microminerals definition

Required in amounts <0.01% of diet

Macrominerals list

Ca, P, Mg, S, Na, K, Cl

Microminerals list

Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, I, Co, Cr

Minerals form in diet

Must be supplied as compounds (salts)

Calcium main function

Bones, muscle contraction, nerve transmission

Phosphorus main function

Energy (ATP), DNA/RNA, cell membranes

Calcium and phosphorus relationship

Work together to form hydroxyapatite

Calcium storage

99% in bones

Phosphorus storage

80% in bones

Ideal Ca:P ratio

1:1 to 2:1

Hormones regulating Ca and P

PTH, calcitonin, vitamin D

Calcium deficiency

Milk fever, rickets, osteomalacia

Phosphorus deficiency

Pica (abnormal eating)

Rickets definition

Poor bone mineralization in young animals

Osteomalacia definition

Brittle bones in adults

Phosphorus availability issue

Bound in plants, low availability to monogastrics

Animals that can digest bound phosphorus

Ruminants (via phytase)

Magnesium function

Nerve function, muscle coordination, enzyme activity

Magnesium deficiency

Grass tetany (tremors, convulsions)

Magnesium benefit

Improves growth and milk production

Sulfur function

Component of amino acids and proteins

Sulfur role

Hair, wool, feathers, connective tissue

Sulfur deficiency

Poor growth and wool/feather development

Electrolytes

Sodium, potassium, chloride

Electrolyte function

Fluid balance, pH balance, nerve and muscle function

Sodium role

Extracellular ion, nerve and muscle function

Potassium role

Intracellular ion, enzyme activity, heart function

Chloride role

Forms stomach acid (HCl), balances charges

Electrolyte storage

Not stored well, must be consumed daily

Manganese function

Bone formation and metabolism

Manganese deficiency

Slipped tendon (perosis), poor bone growth

Iron function

Hemoglobin formation and oxygen transport

Iron storage

Liver, spleen, bone marrow

Iron deficiency

Anemia, poor growth

Copper function

Works with iron for red blood cell formation

Copper roles

Pigmentation, immunity, enzyme function

Copper deficiency

Anemia, coat color changes, weak connective tissue

Copper toxicity

Liver damage, RBC destruction

Selenium function

Antioxidant (works with vitamin E)

Selenium role

Cell protection and thyroid function

Selenium deficiency

Muscular dystrophy, liver damage

Selenium toxicity

Narrow range, causes alkali disease

Cobalt function

Needed for vitamin B12 synthesis

Cobalt deficiency

Poor appetite, weight loss

Iodine function

Thyroid hormone production

Iodine deficiency

Goiter, reduced metabolism

Iodine excess

Hyperthyroidism symptoms

Zinc function

Enzyme activity, immune function, skin health

Zinc deficiency

Dermatitis, poor wound healing, hair/feather issues

Molybdenum effect

Can cause copper deficiency if excessive

Chromium function

Glucose metabolism, improves growth

Mineral imbalance importance

Both deficiency and excess cause health problems

Key ratio importance

Calcium to phosphorus ratio is critical

Animal difference

Ruminants vs monogastrics process minerals differently