ANS 230: Minerals

Approximately what percentage of the animal body weight is composed of minerals?

Minerals constitute about 4% of the animal body weight.

Which specific mineral is essential for the transport of $O_{2}$ in the body?

Iron ($Fe$) is the mineral required for oxygen transport.

Which mineral is a necessary component of thyroid hormones?

Iodine ($I$) is the mineral essential for thyroid hormone production.

Mineral classification into 'Macro' or 'Micro' is based on _____ requirement.

dietary

In what chemical form are minerals typically added to animal diets?

Minerals are added as salts rather than in their elemental forms.

What dietary requirement percentage defines a mineral as a 'Macro Mineral'?

Macro minerals are required at levels greater than $0.01\%$ of the diet.

What dietary requirement percentage defines a mineral as a 'Micro Mineral'?

Micro minerals are required at levels less than $0.01\%$ of the diet.

Which mineral has the highest concentration in the body at approximately 15 g/kg

Calcium is the mineral found in the highest concentration in the body.

In what specific crystalline form are $99\%$ of Calcium and $80\%$ of Phosphorus stored in bones?

They are stored in bones as hydroxyapatite.

What metabolic role does the $1\%$ of Calcium found in body fluids perform regarding blood?

Calcium is essential for the process of blood clotting.

Phosphorus in soft tissues is primarily involved in _____ reactions for energy metabolism.

phosphorylation

Which three main components of soft tissue contain Phosphorus?

Phosphorus is found in ATP, DNA/RNA, and cell membrane phospholipids.

What is the term for Phosphorus that is not bound to phytate and is thus usable by the animal?

This is referred to as 'Available Phosphorus'.

Why do ruminants have higher Phosphorus availability from cereal grains than monogastrics?

Ruminants possess microbial phytase which can break down phytate-bound Phosphorus.

What is the typical percentage range of Phosphorus availability in monogastric animals?

Phosphorus availability for monogastrics is typically $20\%$ to $60\%$.

Which three hormones strictly regulate homeostatic blood plasma Calcium levels?

Regulation is maintained by Parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, and active forms of Vitamin D.

How does Parathyroid hormone (PTH) respond to hypocalcemia regarding bone tissue?

PTH increases the resorption of Calcium and Phosphorus from the bone.

What effect does Parathyroid hormone (PTH) have on the kidneys during hypocalcemia?

PTH increases Phosphorus excretion into the urine and stimulates the synthesis of active Vitamin D.

What is the recommended dietary $Ca:P$ ratio for optimum bone health?

The recommended dietary $Ca:P$ ratio is between $1:1$ and $2:1$.

What happens to Phosphorus absorption when there is excess dietary Calcium?

Excess Calcium forms insoluble complexes with Phosphorus, decreasing its absorption.

Feeding large cats a diet consisting only of meat leads to an imbalance of which two minerals?

A meat-only diet causes an imbalance of Calcium and Phosphorus.

Which bone disorder occurs in young animals due to a failure of initial mineralization?

Rickets is the disorder characterized by failed mineralization in young animals.

What is the name of the bone disorder in adult animals caused by excessive loss of existing Calcium?

This condition is known as osteomalacia.

What physical characteristic do bones share in both rickets and osteomalacia?

In both conditions, the bones become soft and often deformed due to improper calcification.

What is the common name for Parturient Paresis in dairy cows?

Parturient Paresis is commonly known as Milk Fever.

At what specific physiological stage does Milk Fever typically occur?

Milk Fever occurs during hypocalcemia at the time of calving.

What is a characteristic physical symptom of a cow suffering from Milk Fever?

The animal often collapses with its head turned toward its flank.

Why is a low Calcium diet recommended for cows during the dry period prepartum?

It primes the hormonal system to mobilize bone Calcium before the high demand of lactation occurs.

What is the primary emergency treatment for an animal with Milk Fever?

Treatment involves the intravenous supply of Calcium salts like $CaCl_{2}$ or Calcium gluconate.

What is the most common Magnesium deficiency found in grazing livestock?

Grass tetany is the most common Magnesium deficiency in grazing animals.

By what other name is Grass Tetany often known?

Grass Tetany is also known as 'wheat grass poisoning'.

Which two dietary components in spring pastures inhibit the absorption of Magnesium?

High levels of Nitrogen ($N$) and Potassium ($K$) inhibit Magnesium absorption.

What are the common symptoms of Grass Tetany in livestock?

Symptoms include muscle tetany, head retraction, staggering, convulsions, and extreme sensitivity to noise.

What are the three primary functions of electrolytes in the body?

Electrolytes maintain osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and electrical gradients.

Why must electrolytes be consumed daily by animals?

Electrolytes cannot be stored in the body and must be replenished through daily intake.

Which mineral is the main extracellular cation found outside of cells?

Sodium ($Na^{+}$) is the primary extracellular cation.

The _____ pump controls electrolyte balance and is a major part of the basal metabolic rate.

Sodium ($Na^{+}$)

Which mineral provides osmotic force inside cells and maintains fluid volume?

Potassium ($K^{+}$) is the main intracellular cation for fluid volume maintenance.

Potassium balance is particularly critical for the function of which muscle?

Potassium balance is vital for normal heart muscle function.

Which negatively charged anion accounts for two-thirds of the anions in extracellular fluid?

Chlorine ($Cl^{-}$) is the main extracellular anion.

What is the role of Chlorine ($Cl^{-}$) in the stomach?

Chlorine is used to form $HCl$ for the activation of gastric enzymes and protein digestion.

What is the formula for calculating Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DCAD)?

The formula is $DCAD = (Na + K) - (Cl + S) \text{ mEq/kg}$.

What metabolic condition results from a high DCAD value?

A high DCAD value leads to metabolic alkalosis.

How does prepartum metabolic acidosis affect the incidence of Milk Fever?

Metabolic acidosis may prevent Milk Fever by increasing blood Calcium levels.

Why might prepartum diets high in forages increase the risk of Milk Fever?

High levels of Potassium ($K$) in forages reduce the cow's ability to maintain Calcium homeostasis.

Chromium is a component of which molecule required for glucose entry into cells?

Chromium is part of the 'glucose tolerance factor'.

How does Chromium facilitate the movement of glucose into cells?

Chromium enhances the insulin receptor, acting like a 'key' for the 'insulin lock'.

What is the benefit of supplementing Chromium in the diets of lactating cows?

Chromium supplementation enhances milk production in lactating cows.

Concept: Major Elements

Definition: Essential minerals required in larger amounts, measured in units of grams per kilogram ($g/kg$).

Concept: Trace Elements

Definition: Essential minerals required in very small quantities, measured in units of milligrams per kilogram ($mg/kg$).

Which trace element is required in the smallest amount, at $0.02$ to $0.1 \text{ mg/kg}$?

Cobalt is the trace element required in the smallest dietary amount.

Large breeds of dogs may develop bone-related disorders if fed extra _____.

Calcium

Which three major minerals are categorized as electrolytes?

Sodium, Potassium, and Chlorine are the primary electrolytes.

Besides bone health, why is Calcium/Phosphorus balance important for egg-laying hens?

It is critical for maintaining eggshell quality and preventing thinning.

How does Vitamin D therapy prepartum help prevent Milk Fever?

Administering Vitamin D five days before calving enhances Calcium absorption from the GI tract.

In the context of the insulin receptor, if insulin is the 'lock', what is Chromium?

Chromium is the 'key' that helps the insulin lock open the glucose door to the cell.

Which two minerals are primarily responsible for osmotic balance and electrical gradients across cell membranes?

Sodium and Potassium are the minerals primarily responsible for these functions.

Sulphur is classified as a _____ mineral.

Macro

Manganese, Copper, and Zinc are examples of _____ minerals.

Micro (or Trace)

What effect does metabolic alkalosis prepartum have on Calcium homeostasis?

Alkalosis reduces the ability of the cow to maintain Calcium homeostasis, potentially causing Milk Fever.

Which major mineral is added to the diets of all animals and often given free choice to grazing animals?

Common salt ($NaCl$) is added to diets and provided free choice.

Failure of initial bone mineralization in growing animals is the definition of _____.

Rickets

What causes the 'crash' in blood Calcium levels at the onset of lactation?

It is caused by the sudden high demand for Calcium to produce milk at calving.

Supplementing Chromium into piglet diets helps improve _____ utilization.

glucose

True or False: Mineral classification is based on biological importance.

False; it is based on dietary requirement.