Minerals in Animal Nutrition

Study Notes

Minerals are essential for animal nutrition and are considered inorganic elements.
They are found in the ash fraction of feed, required in varying amounts.
Animals obtain minerals from feed, mineral supplements, drinking water, and soil (accidentally or intentionally).

The chart illustrates the percentage composition of plant and animal tissue across different components.
It highlights the significant presence of water, organic matter, and ash (minerals) in both plant and animal tissue.

Structural components:
- Minerals are constituents of skeletal structures, providing bones and teeth with rigidity and strength.
- Bones contain over 80% inorganic salts.
- They also form organic compounds like proteins and lipids, found in muscles, organs, and blood cells.
Ionic equilibrium:
- Minerals maintain ionic balance in the body, with elements like Mg², Cl, and SO₄ playing roles.
Enzyme activation:
- Minerals activate enzymes, with examples like cytochrome oxidase (Cu) and sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P) being activators.
Hormones:
- Minerals like iodine (I) are components of hormones and are incorporated into their structures.
Vitamin activation:
- Minerals like cobalt (Co) are essential for microorganism production of vitamin B₁₂.
Acid-base equilibrium:
- Minerals contribute to acid-base balance through excretion of H ions.
Nerve excitability:
- Minerals play a role in nerve excitability.

Macrominerals: Required in relatively large amounts, usually expressed as a percentage.
- Examples: calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).
Microminerals: Required in trace amounts, expressed as parts per million (ppm), mg/lb, or mg/kg.
- Examples: iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iodine (I), molybdenum (Mo), fluorine (F), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se).

Calcium is closely linked to phosphorus in metabolism and accounts for 70% of the ash in the body.
Ideal Ca:P ratio:
- Monogastrics: 1-2:1
- Ruminants: 7:1
- Laying hens: 10:1

Calcium: Osteoporosis, milk fever in cows, and rickets.
- Milk fever: characterized by cows turning their heads towards their flanks after parturition.
- Rickets: characterized by posterior paralysis.
Phosphorus: Pica, poor growth, infertility.
- Pica: abnormal eating behavior observed in animals.
Magnesium: Hypomagnesemia (grass tetany).
- Grass tetany: caused by grazing lush greens low in Mg, high in K and N, interfering with digestion, resulting in stiff muscles, inability to stand, and eventually death.
Zinc: Parakeratosis in swine.
- Parakeratosis: a nutritional deficiency disease in young pigs, characterized by skin lesions.
Manganese: Perosis, skeletal deficiency.
- Perosis: characterized by slipped tendons in chicks.
Cobalt: Emaciation in cattle and sheep.
Iron: Anemia, Thumps (labored breathing).
Copper: Enzootic ataxia in sheep, anemia.