Minerals in Animal Nutrition

Vocabulary flashcards covering macrominerals, microminerals, electrolytes, and specific mineral functions, sources, excesses, and deficiencies from the lecture notes.

Minerals

Inorganic essential nutrients required in very small amounts (approximately $2\text{--}3\%$ of dry matter diet) that do not provide energy and are referred to as 'ASH' on food labels.

Classification of Minerals

The categorisation of essential inorganic nutrients into macrominerals, microminerals, and electrolytes based on physiological requirements and distribution.

Macrominerals

Essential minerals required by the body in larger amounts, including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), chloride (Chl), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na).

Microminerals

Trace minerals required by the body in small quantities, including copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), iodine, selenium, and manganese.

Electrolytes

Minerals in salt found in the body.

Calcium (Ca)

The mineral present in the body in the greatest amount, essential for bone and teeth formation, blood clotting, nerve impulses, milk production, and muscle contraction.

Calcium and Phosphorus Ratio

A vital $1:1$ concentration ratio where a deficiency in one leads to an excess in the other, closely interlinked with Vitamin D metabolism.

Phosphorus (P)

The second most abundant mineral in the body (atomic number $15$, mass $30.974$), functioning in bone and teeth structure, cell membrane phospholipids, enzymes, and energy metabolism.

Calcium & Phosphorus Excess Conditions

Skeletal and developmental disorders resulting from oversupply, including hip dysplasia, OCD – Osteochondrosis Dissicans, enostosis, and 'Wobblers' syndrome in growing animals.

Calcium & Phosphorus Deficiency Conditions

Health issues resulting from inadequate levels, including nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, skeletal deformities, lameness, 'Rickets' in growing animals, osteomalacia in adults, hypocalcaemia, 'Eclampsia' in lactating dam, and reduced fertility.

Osteochondrosis Dissicans (OCD)

A skeletal disorder associated with an excess of calcium and phosphorus in growing animals.

Eclampsia

A condition of hypocalcaemia occurring in lactating dams due to calcium deficiency.

Magnesium (Mg)

A macromineral essential for healthy bones and teeth, normal functioning of heart and skeletal muscle, sodium and potassium metabolism, and many enzyme reactions.

FLUTD

Feline lower urinary tract disease, a condition whose likelihood is thought to increase with dietary magnesium excess.

Potassium (K)

A macromineral found in high concentrations within cells required for nerve transmission, fluid balance, osmoregulation, acid-base balance, muscle metabolism, and energy metabolism.

Brady cardia

An abnormally slow heart rate associated as a rare clinical effect of potassium excess.

Paresis

Partial paralysis or weakness associated with an excess of potassium.

Sodium (Na)

A mineral found mostly in soft tissue and body fluids that functions in nerve impulse transmission, osmotic pressure maintenance, gastric acid and bile composition, acid-base balance, and water balance homeostasis.

Sodium Excess Signs

Clinical symptoms caused by sodium excess, including extreme thirst, excessive urination, weakness, sleepiness, confusion, head pressing, muscle twitching or trembling, and dehydration.

Sodium Deficiency Signs

Pathological symptoms resulting from sodium deficiency, including poor growth, dry skin, hair loss, eye lesions, and reproductive disturbances in rats.